Smokies in September list

I like the sleeping shirt as you will get wet in the Smokies and things will not dry out but I would go with something lighter than an 8 oz Smartwool Shirt if possible

I assume you are taking the AT from Fontana to Davenport and not the BMT.
As long as that is the case and you have reservations you should be fine without the 34oz Rainbow. You will want to add ear plugs for the shelter.

I would probably go with the Caribou this time of year over the Ultralite

Drop one of the mini bics

You won't need sunscreen. Think long dark tunnel

That pack towel is pretty heavy

Bring a small carabiner to clip your pack on the bear cable. (0.1 oz)
Bring a kitchen garbage bag to put over it while its on the bear cable (0.75 oz)
any mice that climb the cable, will slide off your pack when they get on it, and pack stays dry.

It wont be very cold, even at highest shelters at that time.

the down parka is overkill , a UL down jacket or synth puffy would about right
a fleece is good for sleeping and hiking in in the morning until temp and body warms up.

Forget the sunglasses, not needed.

tent is overkill since wont use. buy a light silnylon tarp. IF dont use it, just return it. And you shouldnt use it.

dont need 2 mini bics. There will be others around if yours fails or gets lost.

I hope your ti spoon doesnt weigh 1 oz, if so you got screwed

2L platy weighs 1.26 oz, not 4

wont need sunscreen
wont need lip balm
wont need deet

ditch the drysak and put ditty stuff in a 0.2 oz quart ziplock and save 3oz.

get a suunto clip compass. 0.17 oz

have fun, great time of year there. At least it is AFTER labor day weekend.

I would leave at home deer, sunscreen, and compass. You can't really get lost there.
I might see you there. We are going the opposite direction over 3 nights starting the 13th. I'll be carrying the little green cuben backpack.
Beware the mice at the shelters.

Thanks, all! Making the following adjustments:

* Tent out
* Caribou in; Ultralite out
* Second mini bic out
* Pack towel trimmed down to 1oz
* Compass out
* Deet out

RE: some of the weights – my spreadsheet rounded to whole digits when I copied in; several items (i.e. ti spoon, chapstick, etc.) are sub 1 oz.

Down to 21lb dry weight including 6 days of food.

@Ben — I'll be off by then (unless I hit the end and turn around..); have a great hike and thanks for chiming in!

Pack is too large. If you get rid of enough stuff, that Exos will work fine.

You won't need DEET os sunscreen.

You'll probably be required to stay at shelters. I would replace the Rainbow with a light emergency tarp. Even an 8×8 piece of very thin plastic or tyvek and some lightweight cord will work for a survival shelter.

Pack towel won't be needed.

I actually used my compass once because I took a wrong turn out of the shelter, ran into a 3 way junction, and realized I wasn't where I had planned on being. It's a safe bet that you can just follow the white blazes though :)

Good call on the mini-carabiner for the bear (mice) lines.