3 season typical 2 day mid-west list

– Why two pairs of socks for a two day trip? Nix them both or just bring one if conditions are wet.

-If you are expecting conditions to be cold enough for a fleece, hat and long underware, then I would also consider adding a pair of fleece gloves.

-Nix the scrub pad
-Nix the water bag.
-Nix the Lexan cup. Eat and drink out of the 600
-Nix the filter– Chlorine tablets are much lighter

-What is the stuff sack for?

-Is the Pinnacle not too much pack for your needs? I would look at smaller and lighter packs for your load. Granted it does require an investment.

-Nix the Tyvek,

-Nix the trowel– just use a rock, stick or tent stake.

–

Oooops – I am repeating Chris (from colorado)

My insights.

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emergency poncho 1

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Is this your rain coat?

Socks Smart wool thin mini-crew (x2) 2

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Just go down to one for an overnight.

Scotch Brite Pad 0.2

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Easily NIXED

Bottle 16.9 floz PET Water (x2) 1.1
Water bag Colghan's 1.9
Bottle Gaitoraid 32 floz 2.75

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Wow, you said there is water everywhere where you hike, but you have a LOT of water carrying vessels. Why so many? How much do you truly need at any one time???

Filter MSR Miniworks EX 15.95

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You can very much eliminate this (almost ) 1-pound item. Use aqua mira. Carry the bottle in your hand for the time it takes to treat if you wanna keep it off your back.

Light Inova Microlight 0.36
Light Photon Freedom with clip 0.4

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Why redundant lights for an overnight? Nix one of em.

Knife Gerber Ultralight LST 0.55

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Why do you need a knife on an over night. Easily NIXED.

Car Key, ID, Credit Card 0.9

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Easily NIXED, just hide 'em in your car.

Pack GoLite Pinnacle 25 – Yu can take a scissor and easily nix some extraneous weight off this item. I cleaned well over 1/2 a pound off a JAM pack.

Ground Sheet Tyvec 3.3

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Easily NIXED if you have a bivy sack.

trowel orange plastic 1.9

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Easily NIXED if you have a hex tent stake.
Tooth Brush toddler 0.35

tp 0.5

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Easily NIXED, you have soap and hand sany

Good stuff thanks!

The Socks are 2 as in one pair. So I am wearing a pair and packing an extra, normally to sleep in.

emergency poncho 1

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Is this your rain coat?
Pretty much. One of those little garbage bag style deals.

Scotch Brite Pad 0.2

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Easily NIXED
GONE

Bottle 16.9 floz PET Water (x2) 1.1
One for booze

Water bag Colghan's 1.9
I don't know about this either. It sure is nice to have at camp but not needed.

Bottle Gaitoraid 32 floz 2.75
Nice to have in hot weather where extra water is needed.

Filter MSR Miniworks EX 15.95

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You can very much eliminate this (almost ) 1-pound item. Use aqua mira. Carry the bottle in your hand for the time it takes to treat if you wanna keep it off your back.

Here is where I struggle with logic. If where I hike there is water every 2-3 hours, and it takes 2-3 hours to treat water with tabs, I can
A: carry a 1 pound pump
B: carry 1 extra pound of water

The pump does not run out and it tasts better. I usually choose A.

Light Inova Microlight 0.36
Light Photon Freedom with clip 0.4

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Why redundant lights for an overnight? Nix one of em.

Yes, my original logic was to carry extra batteries but the extra light didn't weigh much more than the batteries. I guess fresh batteries before hike whould work better.

Pack GoLite Pinnacle 25 – Yu can take a scissor and easily nix some extraneous weight off this item. I cleaned well over 1/2 a pound off a JAM pack.

Yes my chubby pack is the biggest problem. I just haven't worked up the nerve to hack it up. Any suggestions for modding this pack without sewing would be great. I know the hydration sleeve can go.

Ground Sheet Tyvec 3.3

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Easily NIXED if you have a bivy sack

I don't want sticks poking holes in that thing. Actually the bivy may make its way to Gear Swap soon. I'd much prefer a bug net.

Hello there,

I understand your point about the filter, but the 4 hour treatment time is only for cloudy or very cold water. For most moving water you'll encounter in the temperate zone, 30 minutes is sufficient, according to the manufacturer, at least.

http://www.katadyn.com/usen/technical-support/micropur-support/chemical-water-treatment/

At least, *I* haven't died…

— RE water treatment,

As mentioned, four hours is only for extreamly cold water. During my three season trips in Colorado I rarely treat past 30 minutes and instead just use the Frontier Pro Filter to avoid the longer wait time.

— RE Ground sheet

This is all about location– simply move rocks and sticks from your campsite. I use a tarp and bivy without a groundsheet and haven't had any incidents.

Daniel, I agree with your rationale for carrying the filter. I do the same. No chemical taste is enough reason alone, but avoiding carrying an extra quart of water for 2-4 hours which weighs twice as much as the filter makes it very worthwhile in terms of going lighter in total pack weight instead of just the less reality-focused base weight.

Daniel wrote:

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Filter MSR Miniworks EX 15.95 oz

Here is where I struggle with logic. If where I hike there is water every 2-3 hours, and it takes 2-3 hours to treat water with tabs, I can
A: carry a 1 pound pump
B: carry 1 extra pound of water
The pump does not run out and it tasts better. I usually choose A.

I reply:
========================
Aqua Mira drops takes only 20 minutes and it doesn't have any taste at all. 3 hours between water? That's like 8 miles between water sourses – Where are you camping, arizona? I don't like those tabs because of the pool-water clorine taste.

Daniel wrote:

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Ground Sheet Tyvec 3.3 –

I don't want sticks poking holes in that thing. Actually the bivy may make its way to Gear Swap soon. I'd much prefer a bug net.

I reply:
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Don't worry, just look at the ground first. I've used the same SUL bvy for 5 years and NEVER used a ground cloth – it's fine.

Daniel wrote:

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Yes my chubby pack is the biggest problem. I just haven't worked up the nerve to hack it up. Any suggestions for modding this pack without sewing would be great. I know the hydration sleeve can go.

I reply:
========================
I wrote a post about it last summer, and I can't find it. I cut over 8 oz off a brand new JAM2 and it was fun!

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=22705&skip_to_post=186290#186290

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I just cut 6 ounces off the LARGE size JAM2. (the newest version)

NIXED with scissor:
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– ice axe loops

– side compression straps

– I cut off the top inch of fabric, where the draw cord was sewn over. It's gone. I used a lighter and seared the edge of the fabric. I poked holes and threaded a teeny-weeny string (masons line) like a old navy sea-bag.

– shortened every strap as short as I could get away with.

– Cut out the pocket inside that held the foam pad (this includes the water bladder holder.

– the pad is gone

– the dorky little key holder nixed

– I removed the BIG sternum strap and replaced it with tiny webbing and tiny fastex (I used the side compression strap webbing and fastex)

– I removed the BIG waist strap and replaced it with tiny webbing and tiny fastex (I used the side compression strap webbing and fastex)

– I kept the side pockets on the hip padding

– I kept the side pockets on the body of the pack

(it totals 7 oz exactly when I weigh my pile of detritus)

Mike wrote: "Aqua Mira drops takes only 20 minutes and it doesn't have any taste at all."

I don't understand how you can say Aquamira drops take only take 20 minutes when treatment time for protozoa such as Giardia and Crypto is temperature dependent, and in the US, those are the most likely biological contaminants. The water on my trips is usually much too cold for a 20 min treatment time to be effective against protozoa. Without a water thermometer, the best guess I can usually come up with is 2-4 hours of treatment with Aquamira drops. Even if the water were 70 F, I think that still calls for something like 30-45 minutes treatment time.

Exactly Andy – even longer if the water is cold.

Mike said "3 hours between water? That's like 8 miles between water sourses"

Funny! I hike at a turtle's pace. Only way I'm doing 8 miles in 3 hours is if a bear is after me :)

My point of 2-3 hours was just an example. Honestly, except for late summer, you can find water almost anywhere in my region. Which argues in favor of a filter.

I know you are all about the chemical treatment but think about the logic. The weight of an in-treatment 1L bottle of water weighs more than the filter.

This only works if I can guarantee a water source everytime I'm thirsty.

If I know I will be hiking in a dry region for most of the day I think I will favor chemical treatment.

There are scenarios for both solutions. Just because a filter weighs +/- 1LB does not eliminate it from being the lightest overall option.

Again, I am just talking out my struggle with the logic.

Thanks for the tips on hacking the Jam. The pinnacle is about the same pack. I should be able to make similar cuts.

"Just because a filter weighs +/- 1LB does not eliminate it from being the lightest overall option."

Besides, my gravity filter weighs closer to 2 oz. It's almost silly not to carry it.

–B.G.–