Colorado Summer

[Andy Chassé]

Gear critique time! This is for may-sept (ish) in northern CO/southern WY @ 8-12k. Most trips with girlfriend, all trips with dog. My trips are usually short (24-36 hours) and I tend to avoid bad weather, though that can be difficult in CO. No cook gear in the list – I just go all dry food since my trips are so short. No rain gear – I do the best I can with wind shell + umbrella.

Base weight comes out to just over 7.5. I've used most of this gear for a while and it seems to work well, but would love some suggestions. I know I can toss the sleep shirt and tights and save ~10oz, but I tend to sleep better in fresh clothes.

List: http://lighterpack.com/r/g0fufb

[Allen Butts]

Your list looks great, very similar to mine for sumertime in CO. The only two main areas I can see where you could cut weight are in your shelter and possibly your sleep system, although both involve spending $$. In the summer I carry a 30 degree quilt most of the summer in CO, weights 15.5 oz. Also if you are comfortable with just a groundsheet and tarp you can cut a tone of weight, depending on how much you'd like to spend. If you like 360 coverage id look into some type of cuben mid, great for colorado summers.

[Andy Chassé]

Hey Allen, thanks for the thoughts. I'd love to drop to a lighter quilt for summer, but just can't afford it right now – maybe for next year! Have a good one to recommend? As for the shelter, I do have a simple 8×10 tarp that I used before I got my dog, but it's not really doable now. She gets anxious easily so it's just a better bet to have an enclosed shelter for her. A cuben mid is definitely on my list, but again, it'll have to be in the future. Not sure when I'll have that kind of cash to drop! :)

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