I did it! 5 lb Base Wt

Linda,

Great and detailed gear list in that you show all the combinations of what you carry and weight for full disclosure.

Simply an amazing and impressive kit that you have put together.

You've inspired me to review what I currently carry to see where I can cut some fluff from my own kit.

Again, I am concerned about how little food that you are carrying with you for the number of days you plan on going out.

My advice is that once you get your kit onto the trail, give yourself a little more margin of error on the food.

Even an extra pound of food is not going to slow you down with the impressively low base weight that you have achieved.

Get yourself out on the trail and use the kit and see how the reality of using the kit, your body's need for calories, etc will impact how you might change your kit.

Anyway, congrats and now I am off to obsess over my own gear list again.

Damn you…it is all your fault!

And to think that I was "comfortable" with my base weight. :)

-Tony

I agree with Tony's concern on the food weight. If my math is correct, you're proposing 3.5 lbs for 4.5 days. Less than a pound a day? Most would agree at 2lbs/day.

I would add a Thinlight to temps below freezing. I lost a lot of heat with just a Nightlight torso. The Thinlight has been instrumental toward improving the range of my sleep system for a low 2oz.

Regarding the ZPack vs. MLD Exodus: you're doing the math but consider the materials and your use.

Overall, an impressive list.

cheers!
-Michael

Great job on reducing your weight! It looks like you may have included the weight of some consumables though (it's 4am so I'm too tired to do the math lol). In fact, going through some of the community lists earlier, I think quite a few people are including them. For instance, I weigh my BPL mini droppers, but the contents (deet, soap, sanitizer, sunscreen) are going to be consumed. There may be some leftover, but the same could be said about fuel and people only include the fuel canister weight.

Tony, Michael, Roman:

Thanks for looking the list over. I was light on the food last list also. I tried to increase it~will increase it again. It's a valid concern. In the past I always return with left-over food (which is OK, don't want to run out) and I always have emergency food with me in the event of an unplanned overnight bivouac. More food it is.

I forgot to include the pack liner. I do carry a trash bag at 1.1 oz. Have used it and it works well. I'll go back and add it in to the list.

I was looking the Thinlight pads again last night. I'm thinking I would want one even if temps are not that cold.

I am anxious to get out and try this gear for adequacy. As it's my "good weather" list I'll have to modify it for colder weather. I feel comfortable with it, though, for summer (based on what I've used/needed in the past). I agree, there is less margin for error and that was on my mind as I eliminated items. I might have to add a few items back in….

Re: packs ~ Exodus vs ZPack. I have not read anything negative about the Zs. My impression is that they do hold up. Joe (and others) have used them on PCT and AT thru hikes. I'm not hard on my gear so it may work for me. I also really like the Exodus but am concerned it will be too big (and the smaller version, too small). I do need the ability to carry a tent and the dreaded Bear Vault. Ooh, just had a thought. Maybe two packs are what is called for. Hmmm………

LV

Hi Roman,

Yeah, I'm not quite sure what is considered consumable. I use the definition "edible".
I include most items in the wt list so I can track the true wt of what's on my back.

Thanks for the positive feedback.

LV

Most "accepted" consumables are food, fuel, and water. Others also add toothpaste, toilet paper, sunscreen, bug juice, hand sanitizer, soap, etc. since they are used up during a hike.

"Others also add toothpaste, toilet paper, sunscreen, bug juice, hand sanitizer, soap, etc. since they are used up during a hike."

You actually have to carry tp back out, so I definitely wouldn't consider it consumable. Personally, I prefer baby wipes though! :)

Toile Paper?

The previous posing noted:
"You actually have to carry tp back out"

Actually – If you DON'T carry toilet paper, you DON'T need to carry it out! Easiest and lightest. The wight of TP should be noted as ZERO.

LINK:
~
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/toilet_paper_free.html

Yeah…read it…would still rather carry a half dozen baby wipes than try to find the perfect river rocks when nature calls. Besides what becomes of those poor rocks when you're done with them. They're forever lost to the river! lol

LINDA! Your list is awesome. That said, I went thru and really scrutinized it, and made some minor comments.

a) You have a 1.1 oz sleeping pad? WOW! Have you tried sleeping on it? Sleep is important, make sure not to gyp yourself on a good night of sleep..

b) The spark light will ALWAYS work. No need to make it redundant.

c) 29 oz sleeping bag is technically "sorta" heavy, BUT a "sorta" big sleeping bag simplifies a lot. One unit is simple, rather than a collection of things in a system.

d) Two bras? I'll remain silent…

e) Lighter pants? THe BPL thoroughfare are the lightest I've found. Easy to hike in – even on a HOT day.

f) Hide those car keys right at the car! They will serve no purpose in the backcountry. This is more of metaphysical state of mind, the act of liberating yourself from THIS world when stepping into THAT world.

g) The BPL tiny droppers are great! I've been doing this kind of trekking long enough that I've accumulated a nice collection of tiny little bottles and containers. Our society is FLOODED with little plastic things that can easily be reused. I have a box of them among my light-weight gear.

h) Toilet paper? Just so you know – if you REALLY wanna embrace the metaphysical state of mind that the wilderness can give us, leave it behind.
Linda wrote:
(can't get rid of it yet)
Yes you can! You'll be fine!

LINK:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/toilet_paper_free.html

i) I noticed there are NO stuff sacks, is that correct? RIGHT ON for you!
It can be done, easily! (I take stuff sacks for kook gear and food, sooty and food smell for hanging in trees)

j) 0.2 oz ID? Okay – If you really wanna take something, just write any info on a TINY piece of paper, easily saving 0.19 oz

k) If you feel comfortable with LESS than 1 pound of food Per Day, go for it. The worst that happens is you run out . If so, no big deal. Keep accurate data of your food BEFORE going into the field, and keep track AFTER you get back. Don't take "just in case" food. Take just what you'll need.

Above, Michael Skwarczek commented about food, he said that:
"Most would agree at 2lbs/day."

2 pounds-per-day is really high. That's a number for six foot ten inch tall, weightlifting, 20 year olds, doing a speed attempt on the PCT.

1.4 Pounds Per Person Per Day seems to work really well for "normal" adults.

Mike, as a chick, I'm gonna speak up and say I think the bra weighs 2.9 oz, not that she is taking two :)

edit – waaaaaait a minute. Maybe you're right? My vote is ditch one then :)

nm

I use a Road ID for all of my outdoor adventures. I wear the wrist bracelet for land stuff and the neoprene ankle bracelet for water stuff. I have a web page on their site that emergency medical personnel can pull up via phone or the web and get all of my information. I like that I can put trip specific information on the page like where I'm parking, my vehicle make/model/plate, etc. Anyway, here's the web site address…
http://www.roadid.com

I have to say, I'll continue to take the TP. My understanding is that "effluence" is supposed to be buried so the soil bacteria can take care of it :)
LV

Linda…

You wrote: "My understanding is that 'effluence" is supposed to be buried"

Okay – By "effluence' you mean SH*T, right? Yes, that gets buried, but what does that have to do with toilet paper (which has to get triple bagged and carried out)

I'm confused.

Actually, the "real" question: If water and sanitizer are available, why do you even need tp? And if you don't need it, there's no need to triple bag and cart out anything. :)

Thanks Mike, you were my inspiration. I'll try to address some of your questions.

My sleep pad is a blue, closed cell pad from REI, torso size. I have only tried it at home. Will have to see how it sleeps but I think it will be ok. I'm sure I'll get a thinlight pad also. It will add wt but for a good cause.

The Spark-Lite is my only source of fire. The lite listed above it is a very light, bright headlamp.

My bag is heavy but it will cover a wide range of temps for me. I sleep cold. Nighttime/early AM temps on past trips in Yosemite have ranged from 29 degrees to 40 degrees.

Re: Two bras. I miss-labeled them. They are actually sports exercise tops. My reasoning for two is: I wear one, it gets sweaty. I put the fresh one on to sleep in. The first one dries out. I trade them off each day. Indulgence I know. Once I make the move to hard-core, I'll ditch the 2nd one. Promise:)

I do like the description of the Thorofare hiking pants but a few reports from users have stated they hold in heat and get wet inside. So jury is out on these for now.

Working on the metaphysical.

No, no stuff sacs. You are right-don't need them. If I add a stove, would use one there. Just realized, I do have to add a bag for food-something to hang it with. Good thing I have plans to reduce wt of some other items. Will make room for the additions

I can remove the ID. Piece of paper will work

Each year I return with food after trips and each year I reduce the amount I take.

Thank you again, Mike, for your comments. Greatly appreciated.

LV

Ben – You are RIGHT ON!

I have been a pest on these forums trying to liberate campers from their un-needed TP.

Read this:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/toilet_paper_free.html

David,
I like the idea of just a small piece of paper.
I hope Santa brings you what you wish for this Christmas.
LV

Roman wrote:

"The first I ever heard of this was in your toilet paper free article. Is this based on a requirement somewhere?"

==

Roman, OOOPS, I somehow edited YOUR posting. I messed up, not sure what I did – – – Sorry. I must have wanted to reply to you, and – I don't knw – I erased your post. Oooops.

Mike C!

Linda – I've been between jobs, and I've gotten all focuesed on this forum – and I've enjoyed it. I've been fine tuning my own stuff, at the same time, I've been playing "reviewer" too.

I just posted a tidy list (with photo) of my "little things"

You should visit,
LINK:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=17119&skip_to_post=129722#129722

Hi Roman,

I checked out the RoadID site. It's a great idea. Good for general use as well as for hiking. It can speak for you when you can't. I like that you can post your trip plan and any other info.

LV

Yes, that's right. I did confuse the issue. I was mixing up the load with clean up. I don't mind using rocks et al but…..should I be concerned with unleashing my E-coli into the wilds. Might the bacteria be washed into the water supply? Talking about the rocks, leaves, etc left on top of the ground, or do you bury these too??

Is this a non-issue? I don't know the answer to this one

As I wrote earlier "I'm working on the metaphysical". The door isn't necessarily closed, just untried LOL

Edit: Mike, (finally) just read your article on TP Free Expeditons. It has answered all my questions. I have no excuse now.

2nd edit: This thread has been most enlightning….

LV