Help me out. I feel like I’m missing something.

[Timothy Barber]

I'm trying to get a <15 lb base weight, but I feel like I'm missing something. I know the pack and boots are fairly heavy by most standards, and there are a few items that are not reaalllyyy needed.

I'd like some advice on what's missing/could possibly go. Thanks guys/gals.
Current base weight looks around 12.5 pounds.
http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=9729

Item Name Category desc qty weight
Boots clothing Scarpa Kailash Pair 1 1275
Bandana clothing Black 2 30
Skull Cap clothing Coal, Grey 1 30
Pants clothing Convertible Endeavor Pants 1 345
Shirt clothing Dri-release 93 Poly/ 7 Wool 1 172
Underwear clothing Adidas 91% Polyester 9% Spandex 2 61
Socks clothing Smartwool PhD Midweight Wool 2 70
Base Layer clothing Midweight EMS TechWick 1 226
Liner Socks clothing 2 24
Water Bottle cooking Nalgene, Standard Wide Mouth 2 181
PolarPure cooking Full 1 135
Backpack none Osprey Kestrel 48 1 1470
Tent Liner shelter TarpTent Moment Liner 1 110
Tent shelter TarpTent Moment 1 850
Sleeping Pad shelter NeoAir XTherm Small 1 310
Sleeping Bag shelter EMS Velocity 35deg 1 878
Baby Wipes toiletries Off brand 1 90
First Aid Kit toiletries
Band Aids, Tape, Neo, Gauze, BUtterflies, Alcohol Wipes 1 84
Knife tools Smith & Wesson 1 87
Paracord tools 100 Feet 1 188
Eton Raptor tools
Solar Charger, Radio, Compass, Altimeter, Watch, Flashlight 1 323
Firesteel Pro tools 1 28
Cell Phone tools Samsung Galaxy S III 1 133
Gear Strap tools Black 2 17

[Timothy Barber]

Sub 15 pound base weight for 3+ season backpacking in the North East, with an eventual thru-hike on the AT.

[Bob Gross]

Lots of heavy electronics.

Most of us go backpacking so that we can get away from civilization, not so that we can carry it along with us.

Lots of tent weight.

–B.G.–

[Timothy Barber]

What would be a lighter tent? Bug protection is kind of a must in tick-ville USA.

Also, the electronics will most likely be left behind.

[Ken Thompson]

Edit. I don't like to have to look at another page to dissect a list, sorry.

[Timothy Barber]

It's listed as worn in the geargrams

[Bob Gross]

"What would be a lighter tent? Bug protection is kind of a must in tick-ville USA."

Geez, you could easily halve the tent weight if you invested some money. Zpacks has some cuben fiber thingies with cuben fiber above and netting below.

When I was in Army training many decades ago, we used to deter crawling insects with a liberal application of DEET liquid or spray on the ground perimeter.

–B.G.–

[Tjaard Breeuwer]

I don't see any shells or insulation layer. No rain jacket? No windshirt? If it's cool enough for a hat, you will need something more than a basebaselayer on top at least.

No stove?

Swap the Nalgene bottles for something else: collapsable bottle, disposable bottle etc.

What is the 100 feet of paracord for? If it's for a bearbag, where's the bag and biners?

Do you really need liner socks? Even in heavy boots, modern sock technology has improved to make the inside of socks smooth and comfy.

If you do need liners, bring only 1 pair, you certainly don't need it at night, so wash the liner and wool sock you wore in the evening and wear the clean wool sock to bed. Then in the morning add the liner and let the wet wool sock continue to dry.

RE shelter see solo tent round-up that was just added to the articles recently.

[Brian Johns]

Drop the liner socks, get down to one small knife, cut the cord in half, unless you don't use it for bear line, in which case you could probably ditch it. The electronics could likely be whittled down to one item, take a camera or a phone. I'd get rid of the nalgene as well and maybe the tent inner. could you get by with out it, use a mosquito headnet or a bivy maybe? First aid looks heavy too. For something you rarely if ever use, a few bandaids, a few pills, AB ointment, and a compress or gause/tape should do.

[Pete Staehling]

"What would be a lighter tent? Bug protection is kind of a must in tick-ville USA."

I often read someone saying something like that and it kind of puzzles me. I tend to cowboy camp when I can and as near as I can tell I have never gotten a tick while laying on or in my sleeping bag. They grab on when moving about through grasses or undergrowth in my experience.

I can see where you would want mosquito protection though so my point may be moot.

[Timothy Barber]

New Gear List.

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=9729

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