My Newbie Gear List (1-2 nights, spring)

Chris

You could save a fair chunk of weight by going with a lighter tent and pack.

Also maybe a 600-750ml pot instead of 900.

Other than that looks pretty solid.

Chris,

You could save weight by ditching the fleece & getting a puffy jacket, or you could, for the same weight, get a Montbell Thermawrap parka. Either would reduce bulk in your pack.

since you carry the Bushbuddy, I'm sure you'll keep the pot for storage & convenience since you have to carry a pot anyway. Why not have them occupy the same space in the pack? :)

Ditch the windbreaker since you have the Driducks anyway. Makes an effective, albeit baggy windbreaker.

Shelter and pack are (as the above poster said) the most glaring places to save weight. What's your locale and conditions for this hike? Are you carrying shelter for you or a hiking partner too? We can give some specific recommendations on these. And is there anything (ie tarps) that you are totally opposed to?

Nice list!

Todd

68 Sierra Designs Vapor Light 2 XL Tent – NIX and use a TARP, (save approx 58 oz.)

2.7 Gossamer Gear Plastic Ground Cloth

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NIX! (save 2.7 oz)

1.5 Sit Pad

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NIX!(save 2.7 oz)

37 Osprey Exos 46 Pack – NIX and replace with a much lighter backpack, aim for less than 17 oz. (save approx 20 oz)

4.5 Snow Peak 450 Double wall mug – NIX and replace with lighter MUG, (save about 2 oz)

7 2x Nalgene wide mouth 1L 3.5oz NIX and replace with two 1-liter soda bottles (save 4 oz)

9 AMK .9 First Aid Kit (modified) — 9 ounces? aim for about 3 oz (save 6 oz)

1.3 SOG Flash 1 Knife — Nix and replace with a single edge razor blade

1.7 Firesteel Scout – NIX and use paper matches as back-up

4.8 iPhone 3gs (GPS) — NIX

1 Car Key — NIX – hide at the car

0.5 TP

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NIX

1 Hand Sanitizer

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NIX and replace with soap

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—- You need to explain your consumables? How many days? etc

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Consumables
14 Food (~7oz each package) x2
64 water 64 oz

Thanks for the feedback guys! To answer some questions…

Right now I'm hiking in Ohio/Kentucky, but plan on moving to Colorado in the near future. Sometimes the shelter is for me and my wife, some of my issues have been finding a lightweight tent that works for me because I'm tall. Probably not ready for a tarp. Spiders freak me out too much. I don't really have camping experience in the rockies – should I be looking for a freestanding tent?

I'll also investigate a lighter pack and like the idea of the Thermawrap. Some things i had to guess on the weight (like the first aid kit), realistically it probably weighs less than 9 oz. The Nalgenes gotta go. For solo hikes, maybe a smaller pot and homemade alcohol stove.

The consumables can be ignored, since that will all depend on the trip.

Again, I appreciate the help, there is a great community here!

"Spiders freak me out too much."

Spiders are your friend. They eat the other bugs which do more than freak people out. :)

You might consider a tarp with some type of netting tent inner. There are pros and cons to both shelters though.

You may get better recommendations here, but I just started using a Tarptent (www.tarptent.com). I use the contrail, which is plenty long enough for us tall guys (I'm also 6'3") and it only weighs 1.5 lbs. It'll be tight with a wife, so you might opt for a slightly larger one which will put you at 2 lbs, but still way lighter than what you currently have.

I'll have to look into the tarp w/ liner idea. Sounds like that could work out well.