Updated 2013 JMT Gear List

Looks like you've come down in weight from the previous thread. Well done.

Why do you need 3 bandanas? The gerber knife and multi tool may be overkill. A swiss army classic would likely be fine. Do your sunglasses really weigh 4 oz? Mine are under an ounce.

You could save weight in your big 3 and on some other gear, but I imagine you are already aware of that. Off to a great start!

It looks like you still have some lightening to do, is your sleeping pad included in this?

Having used both this summer, I have to recommend the Osprey Hornet 46 over the Talon. The Talon is basically their older version of an ultralight pack which is not really better in any way.

The Hornet 46 is still on closeout from REI. Cheap, 23 oz, holds any weight comfortably. Like the Talon, the Hornet has a removable top, which saves some substantial ounces but costs in pack volume. Unlike the Talon, water bottles are accessible when you're walking.

@Stephen:

Thank You! I really owe it to this community. I use 3 bandanas because the idea of wiping my face with the same one I wipe my dishes with doesn't thrill me. Basically 1 for dishes(wraps my stove when stored in the cook set), one for me, and one kept clean in case I need it for my filter or other purposes I may want a clean cloth for (tourniquet, bandage, etc.) I know I don't need that many, but I am far more comfortable (even if just mentally) with an extra bandana or two and at an ounce or less each the comfort to weight ratio for me is very high.

I'll look into the Swiss, my multi tool alone may be fine as I realized that it has a knife as well.

My Sunglasses are Prescription so I imagine my lenses are much thicker (should have specified in the list)

@Michael:

I can definitely shave a few more things, yes. But at this point I can not spend any more $$$ on gear and stay married. So I have what I have. (One more Christmas and Birthday before JMT so I may try to replace a couple of things)

@Nick:

I was looking at the Hornet 46 when I bought the Talon 44, I just don't have any frameless experience and I don't think I am quite light enough to be comfortable with that. Maybe it would work for the first half when I will be resupplying every 2-3 days, but once I hit MTR I'll be carrying 9 days (8 nights) worth of food on me. Figure around 12-15lbs added to the 15lbs I am at that would bring the pack very close to it's 30# limit.

A couple of thoughts….

Maybe I could acquire the Hornet for Christmas and use it for the first half of the hike and send myself the Talon at MTR. I can then send the Hornet back home.

I was also thinking I may need to send my regular size bearvault to MTR and send back the solo, but I'm going to see If I can come up with a menu for 9 days that will fit in the solo. Anyone use the solo for a similar stretch?

"Anyone use the solo for a similar stretch?"

Yes, just hike farther each day! :)

Let me rephrase that… has anyone taken the solo on a 9 day 8 night trip, as I have no intention of cutting my trip short, I am not hiking the JMT to blaze through it. I have set aside the time for 5 weeks off and I intend on using 3 of them on the trail.

I think you have a good strategy. Replace gear over time as money allows. Once your base weight comes down, try a frame-less pack. Take this current kit with you on several trips and replace or drop items that you find yourself not using.

We can all suggest lighter gear options, but it's unrealistic to make a lot of instant changes when expensive gear purchases may be required. Like you said, you'd like to stay married.

I would suggest buying a BPL membership and reading up on a lot of the articles (I know, I let my membership expire…I need to renew it). Mike C's book is also an excellent resource:

http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpackin-Tips-Inexpensive-Lightweight/dp/0762763841/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346266654&sr=8-1&keywords=mike+clelland

There are other resources out there as well. Skurka just recently released a book. Online blogs are also extremely helpful and always interesting to read.

Or you could get a zpacks zero large 44 liter pack instead.

add a mesh pocket hipbelt and your only looking at 5 – 6 ounces for $135.00 shipped.

"I intend on using 3 of them (weeks) on the trail."
Andrew,

If I had the time I think 3 weeks is the perfect time on the JMT. That way you really get to spend some nice time at each camp and do some nice side trips. It will be REAL hard to get 9 days of food into a Solo even if you carefully repack things. That means you may need to have a resupply out Onion Valley. I use a Bearicade Weekender and I can get 7 days in it if I repack everything and REALLY cram it in. I think my Bearicade is 650 cu vs 450 for the Scout.

Hope this helps.

If you use all the resupply points, the BV450 should be fine up to MTR. In my planning, I discovered there is no bear canister requirement between MTR and Pinchot Pass, just hang up whatever won’t fit in the can. Thereafter, try to select camps that have bear lockers nearby. After that, use what is left in the can and consider a resupply to Onion Valley if needed.

This map shows the food storage requirements along the JMT.

I am considering using this approach with a Bearikade Scout next year.

Canister requirements are specified for each Park or Forest. SEKI, Yosemite, and Inyo are all different. The regs are spelled out each year and they often change. The map reference above will not stand up in court, or more importantly in front of a backcountry ranger. (A copy of the regs Will show them the light.)

For the Parks search for Supeintendent's Compendium –

Which states somewhere around page 10 –

So unless there is snow covering the lockers, you must use them between Forester and Pinchot, unless you hike through that 34 miles in a day.

For Inyo, you need to clear the east side between the pass and Whitney Portal in a day to avoid that requirement area, and camping on the west side is thin and dry between the pass and the tarns above Guitar Lake.

In Yosemite canisters are required if you are "camping". If you can hike between Donohue and TM in a day, and between TM and the Valley in a day, you don't need one assuming you overnight in a secured/lockered facility.

Relying on lockers greatly impacts your hike. A canister provides flexibility.