heading out this Friday… what should I leave behind?

Your list has lots o heavy redundant items. I would go through each item and ask yourself if your really neqed it. I am surprised that with your light weight shelter and no stove system you have managed to get your weight that high.

Ridge rest and thermorest. Why do you have both? For that weight you could have a full length insulated inflateable. I would choose one or the other.
Do you really need the silk liner?
Sleep system -12oz

Why do you need the flash 18 pack. If you realy need a day pack find something that is just a stuff sack with straps for about 3oz
Do you need any or both pockets on your rucksack. You could save 10oz by leaving them at home. Also a trash compactor liner for your pack is only 2oz.

You dont need 10oz of toiletries cut down to a max of 3oz
Get rid of the nalegene and replace with a platy or gaterade bottle both 1ozish
8 oz is to heavy for mess kit aonly bring a bowl, mug, and spoon.

Anyway I think without spending any money you can cut out 4 to 5 pounds.

I'm jealous you're getting out there this weekend. I'm gonna be doing the Evolution Loop on Labor Day weekend but I'm itching to go!

Here's what I think you should take out/change.

Nix the ridgerest, you already have the thermarest. Both are not necessary.
Nix the silk liner. You have plenty of warm clothes to extend the rating of your bag.

What kind of bear canister are you carrying? I'm pretty sure you can rent a Bearikade when you pick up your permit, it only weighs 31oz and will be more than enough for a weekend trip.
Nix the REI flash pack.
Nix the pack cover. You already have a bag liner and dry bag (which I'm assuming is for your sleeping bag?).

Take out the scarf and silk liner socks. I'd consider using lighter socks, like ankle length running socks.

Toiletries-try repackaging some of these items, almost 10oz is a lot. Use a ziploc bag instead of a stuff sack to store items.

Nalgene-swap for a Gatorade bottle, which weighs a couple ounces at most. This will also allow you to drop the nalgene sleeve.

Mess kit-very heavy. What else do you need other than a small sharp knife and a spork?

TP/Sanitizer/Bag-take half as much. you don't want to leave a big pile of TP out there (even if it's buried deep).

Kite-I love this! I'm going to steal this idea from you.

Cut down bandana. Swap your matches for a mini bic.

Hope this helps some and have fun!

Thank you both!

I'm down to 16lbs 6 oz, making some of the subtractions you suggested. I'm hoping to be under 15 before I go..

Re: the kite– it's such a great thing to bring! I use this one : http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=safari&rls=en&q=atom+kite&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=10467084516560015185&sa=X&ei=SnxWTombI-fSiAKxv7zJCQ&ved=0CEAQ8wIwAw#ps-sellers , and have replaced the hardware with some fishing tackle. Lightening the kite is doubly important– it flies better and you carry less!

-Ben

I would definitely suggest removing the flash 18. What type of pack is your main pack? If it has a decent compression system, compressing it to a daypack is easy. I had a recent trip where we fished a decent amount. When I wasn't fishing with my backpack fully loaded between camp, I would just take the necessities and my zlite for a frame (which I think is important for comfort with a lightly loaded frameless). Worked perfectly. Also used the same system when doing a small day excursion.

If you do not want to do this, then something like the GG RikSak is a good alternative, I'd assume. I have never used one myself.

Gear/Category weight (oz)

Sleeping System :
thermarest ventra quilt (l) 36.3
3/4 length ridgerest 9.1 – NIX
thermarest prolite (xs) 8
Sea-to-Summit silk travel liner 6.4 – NIX

Shelter System :
six moon bivvy 8
MSR E-Wing tarp + cord 7.8
stakes (4x ti nail; 2x alum snowstakes) 3.5

Pack System :
bear cannister + liner bag 44.7
frameless rucksack + straps for stuff 32.4
2x dana design side pockets (m) 10.8 – ARE THESE NECESSARY?
REI flashpack/stuffsack 18 9 – NIX
granite gear pack cover 4.2 – NIX

Clothing :
white sierra down sweater (s) 13.3
smartwool midweight LS top (s) 8
marmot precip waterproof shell (s) 7.9
smartwool lightweight leggings (m) 5.4
smartwool expedition socks 4.9
EMS knit wool blend hat 3.2
thinsulate wool fingerless gloves (s) 3
synthetic tube scarf 1.4
cinch sack rain skirt 1.3
bug headnet 1
silk liner socks 0.7

BREAK YOUR CLOTHING INTO WORN/PACKED FOR BASEWEIGHT

Misc. :
toiletries + stuffsack 9.9 – REPACKAGE AND REDUCE
nalgene + solar lantern lid 8.3 – NIX, GATORADE/PLATY BOTTLE
messkit 7.8 – ZIPLOCK 2-CUP CONTAINER ~1.5OZ
small spincasting rod/reel 7.1
TP + sanitizer + bag 6.5 – THIS IS QUITE A LOT! ~3OZ
kite 3.7
petzl headlamp 2.7
nalgene neoprene sleeve 2.3 – NIX
OR drysack 10 L 2.3
small journal and pencil 1.7
coffee insert for nalgene 1.7 – TRY STARBUCKS VIA?
cotton bandana 1.4
matches 1.2
fishing tackle 1
platypus plusbottle (1L) 0.8
whistle + lanyard 0.6
clothesline 0.2

This should get you down to about 14lbs including the 2lb-12oz bear canister and 11.25lbs without it. Depending on your clothing (worn/carried) it could be less.

Just a heads up. I was in the Emigrant Wilderness last week and the Mosquitos were a freaking nightmare. We went through an entire 4 oz. bottle of DEET 100% in 3 days and 4 nights. We had to fully cover up in our nylon to hang outside and cook.

Bring a little extra deet, headnet and don't use anything as thin as a silk weight shirt or tight thin compression shirt. Cody had 30 bites on 1 leg because of the silk weight and my shoulders got destoryed in less than 3 hours with the lighter shirt on.

These guys were piggybacking on our packs and we had to brush them off when we moved into the trees away from everyone.

Sorry for the rant but I wanted to you know what you are in for.

WE DID HAVE A FANTASTIC TIME!!!

Looks like a few people have already offered up some good suggestions. I think your own trial and error is the most rewarding pathway to lightening up. Take detailed notes on everything you bring, the quantity of each item you use, things you didn't use, etc. I don't usually document anything while I'm out on a trip, but I make a mental note when out there, then write things down when I get back. This process helps me lighten my load, pack differently next time, and be more efficient on future trips.

Have fun out there!! The Sierras are on my list for next year.

Again, thanks everyone– I'm down to 15.5. Really appreciate your all's input, -Ben

Insights & Feedback
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3/4 length ridgerest 9.1 — NIX

Sea-to-Summit silk travel liner 6.4 — NIX

2x dana design side pockets (m) 10.8 — NIX

REI flashpack/stuffsack 18 9

granite gear pack cover 4.2 —- NIX

smartwool expedition socks 4.9 —- NIX and replace with something lighter

toiletries + stuffsack 9.9

nalgene + solar lantern lid 8.3 —- NIX and replace with something lighter

messkit 7.8

TP + sanitizer + bag 6.5 — NIX

kite 3.7 — NIX

petzl headlamp 2.7 —- NIX and replace with something lighter

nalgene neoprene sleeve 2.3 — NIX

OR drysack 10 L 2.3 — NIX

small journal and pencil 1.7 —- NIX and replace with something lighter

clothesline 0.2 — NIX