Early Summer High Sierra Pack List

Hi Justin,

I'm hoping to do the same hike myself this summer. Here are a few ideas I had for your list.

1. I would work on your clothes list. Take almost nothing that's cotton or very little. It's heavy, doesn't wick away sweat and takes a long time to dry. Instead of the red sweater shirt bring a synthetic running shirt. Don't bring your cotton hoodie, it won't keep you that warm plus it's heavy. Maybe a lightweight down jacket? I see them being sold on "gear sale" (or whatever it's called on here) all the time so you could probably find a good deal. Same thing with your long underwear. If you're just going to be wearing it to bed then I'd get something wool or synthetic. I think it would keep you warmer and would last longer if you had to wear them during the hike. Also, if you're going to be bring gloves, take some that have fingers. I don't know about you but my fingers are the parts of my hands that get the coldest. Think about some liners maybe?

2. Water/Cook Gear. Bring a 1.5L smart water bottle and a lightweight bladder (I have an Evernew) and that will be more that enough. It would also knock about 6oz off your weight. For my shorter trips I've started taking a starbucks coffee cup, the disposable kind, for all my drinks. It's cheap but surprisingly sturdy.

3. Tools. I'd hold off on the ice axe and microspikes until it gets a little closer to when you'll be hiking. You might not need them. Plus, if you don't know how to use an ice axe (just assuming) then it won't do you much good taking it.

4. Lights. Change our your batteries right before you go and don't take any spares. I've been using my headlamp at night in my room to read and it has lasted me for over a month.

5. Fire Kit. I'd just take a mini bic. Way easier to use. I usually take two…put one in my cooking kit and one in my first aid kit in case the first one gets lost.

I didn't see any water purification stuff or bear canister (I just saw that you mentioned this). Think about renting a Bearikade, they're the lightest thing out there right now (?).

Good luck and have fun!!

Justin ,

Pack: Your current list seems pretty spartan. I would hold off on purchasing a pack until you know the volume of your gear and approximate food. You could get buy with something much lighter here.
Tarp Rope: 4oz?, How long is this rope and how do you intend on using it? Are these the guylines already attached or just a 50' hunk of paracord?

Clothing:
Red Sweater Shirt: 8oz What material is this and when do plan on wearing it?
Cap 3: If you time your hiking properly this may be all that is needed along with your sleeping bag. If you're not hiking you should be sleeping. If you wake up cold around 5am, start hiking again.
Cotton Hoodie: 16oz – I'd advise going to your local thrift stores and searching for a quality second hand fleece. If you're persistent you'll find brand names.
Wool Socks: 3.5oz seems heavy. I carry two pairs of 1oz running style socks. Are yours for sleeping or hiking?
Nalgene Bottle: I second the recommendation of Smartwater bottle, or other sports drink bottle, and/or Platypus (~$18, 5oz saved)

Extra Batteries: You should only need one spare if any. This is June where daylight lasts most, if not all, of your hiking day.

Small First aid kit: If going solo, I wouldn't feel comfortable with a 1oz first aid kit. Others might disagree though.

You didn't list a few things such as:
Boots/Shoes
Sunglasses
Sun Hat
Utensil(s)
Tarp stakes
Water treatment

Great suggestions guys.
I'm really just looking for something that can carry a weeks worth of food comfortably with average lightweight gear, along with some extra snow gear on the back.
The cotton has got to go, at least for the sierras when I am not screwing around with my friends by the fire. I have been looking around for a cheap fleece or puffy to replace it. The sweater shirt is something I picked up at REI a while back, it's just a light synthetic layer. So far I really don't own much "hiking" clothing.
Day hiking would be a merino wool shirt and light mesh shorts. If it got colder my long underwear and another top layer would go on, possibly the dri ducks over if the wind was really nasty. Shoes would be vivobarefoot trails.
The wool socks are so my feet can keep warm when wet, I have learned that a little thicker means more wet warmth. But maybe I can get a way with thinner wool socks. I do walk sockless most of the time anyways (i am a minimalist shoe guy).

You are right about the tarp stakes. Mine have been sitting in the closet for a year now, I have been using sticks but that won't work above the treeline. Water treatment is going to be iodine, possibly a shared filter if I go with friends.

About warmth, will the high sierras be any colder at night in june compared to august? I am paranoid about getting nights in the 20's or less. If it can stay above freezing then I will be fine with just a couple layers.

I will be out for a week, do you think one pair of batteries would last that long?

Water bottles will be replaced quick.

Tarp rope was just a clump of this thin black stuff I got from REI. Wasn't paying attention to how much, so probably went overkill for this list. It would also be hanging rope. Don't plan on taking a canister this trip (with the box at monarchs and trees just past sawtooth, it works out well), but I do have a bear vault solo.

I honestly don't know how to walk up a snowy mountain pass I am not sure how to learn how…