Hiking the JMT with a frameless pack??

"My debate is that even with my last re-supply at MTR weighing approximately 10 lbs, this puts my maximum total weight around 23-24 lbs, well within the load limits of the Conduit, so is it truly necessary to move up to the Catalyst?"

I'd suggest loading your BV500 with 10# of ballast(sand flour, rocks, etc,) and taking it out for a hike that equals your intended typical daily mileage on the JMT. You should have your answer by the end of the hike, if not before.

It's not just the weight, but a BV500 carries very awkward in a Conduit since it's a pretty dense cylinder of weight that is extremely rigid.

Give it a go for a 20 mile day hike and see how it feels.

I know I am not disciplined enough to do that, but others have. I know one guy on here did it with an MLD Zip.

HI,

I have been down the JMT three times now with a frameless pack, Granite Gear Virga twice and MLD Zip once. Starting North to South it is a snap- go Ultralight form Happy Isles to Tuolumne (resupply at the store), go Ultralight from Tuolumne to Reds Meadow (resupply at the store), go Light from Reds to Muir Trail Ranch, then heavy from MTR out to Whitney Portal. My heaviest last year was 24lbs after resupply at MTR. Going again this year July 28 and trying to keep it under 20 after MTR. Food means fast and fresh though, so it is a balancing act for sure. Base weights are around 9 lbs usually. Have fun and I hope you fly frameless!

Dave

I used the MLD Zip, my base weight was about 11lbs.
If I was to do it again I would just use a larger pack with a frame. Reasons why:
-A larger pack is easier to load and unpack, its nice to have everything fit easily in vs having to carefully pack up every day.
– a frame (well some of them) would keep the barrel shape of the canister from being as much a problem against the back vs a frameless.
-and last, the obvious advantage of a more comfortable carry. I think the JMT is the kind of place that I would rather not hurry through again so adding a little comfort for a little weight penalty may be a good trade off.

of coarse I had no problem with the MTR -Whitney section, since after a few days the food weight will go down a lot and you end up with a more manageable load for a frameless pack. If you want to go as light as possible and want to put the miles in its possible with what you have, but if that is not your priority on this trip I would get a pack with a frame.

Since this thread is about the JMT…my tarp has no netting will I need netting in mid August 10 -25th along the JMT N to S?

Just got back from Tuolomne and the bugs were ferocious, but it's a dry year so mosquitoes should be rare in mid August. Still 3 oz. for some bug netting is a minimal weight penalty to keep ants and skeeters away.

I'm not in the USA but I think if it was me I'd be inclined to look at the ULA Ohm, as it uses the same elliptical carb from that the Circuit uses. The last stretch looks as if you might appreciate a little extra support. My guess is that if you didn't have doubts about the Conduit you wouldn't be asking!

Robert, Thanks for the mosquito tip. James, I would be more concerned with the volume of the pack rather than the extra weight. The weight will soon decrease as you eat, but the volume the canister takes up will not. If the canister fits without having to carefully pack your other gear, I think the Conduit would be fine. With a similar itinerary, I plan on using a frameless pack. (Gearskin: Moonbow Gear) w Bearikade Expedition for two

Thanks all,
I'm still working on exactly which pack to use, although my choice of internal frame pack has changed to the Osprey Atmos 50, just because I already own it (it's one that I've had for some time to loan out to those who don't have a pack). I've packed it up with everything and, although the bear canister is a tight fit, it seems to carry pretty well.
I'll continue to sort things out and let you know before I head out.
Thanks again,
Jim

I've been hiking the PCT with a frameless pack. The bear can fits horribly. I begged a friend to sell me his pack but he wouldn't. I tried all sorts of things. The only things that helped were to:

1) Pack everything extremely tight.
2) Wedge a half a Z-rest folded up and horizontally against my back. It stuck out on either side of my back around my elbows.
3) Put the Z-rest in the back pad pocket like you're supposed to and wedge a stick about 3 inches in diameter cross-wise around elbow height.

Number 3 is actually what I've been doing now that I've sent the bear can home. I think I'm not a convert to frameless packs, although I love the light weight.

hey James,
in doing some training hikes for my JMT hike this summer I was originally planning to use my Golite Pinnacle with the bear can inside. After a few short walks I quickly found it to be rather incomfortable. I switched over a ULA Circuit and it is perfect. The extra weight is well worth the comfort.