Looking to lighten further

[Diane Pinkers]

I have been working on my gear list, as I haven't updated it for 2 years. I am trying to guard against weight creep. I live and hike in the PNW, mostly doing overnights or 4 days, but I have hopes of doing the Wonderland Trail again.

My gear list is at:

gear list

I don't have hopes of ever being truly ultra-light, but I've whittled things down. My boyfriend does not want to consider anything lighter than a free-standing double wall tent, so I don't have any room to wiggle on that part of the Big 3. I've tried to keep the little stuff under control, but could probably cut somewhere. The Kindle is non-negotiable! Clothes represents the biggest part of my pack weight, but as I'm hiking in the wet PNW, I'm not sure how comfortable I would be traveling without a full dry set of clothes. I sleep in my long-sleeved wool shirt with hood and my Capilene pants for clean dry sleeping clothes to keep my quilt dry.

Ok, let me have it!

[Shane S.]

I see two knives listed or is that just a double post? Also, you can ditch the heavy K&M match case and fire stick and just use old fashioned book matches. Should save a few ounces.

A lighter double wall tent is a Big Agnus Fly Creek 1 or 2.

You could drop at least 6 oz by getting a Outdoor Research Helium II rain jacket.

MontBell make some of the lightest rain pants the Versalites in the 3-4oz range.

Ditch the quick clot in your first aid kit.

For a water filter, go with the Sawyer Mini-filter under 2oz.

[Diane Pinkers]

I'm looking at alternative rain wear, because it is some of the heaviest stuff in my pack. I didn't know about the Versalites, but they are currently unavailable. I was actually thinking of going with a rain skirt. I do have a Marmot Crystalline as well, but the lack of features means no pit zips, which is sometimes a problem in the summer if hiking while raining. If I get brave, I may go for a Zpacks WPB cuben fiber jacket, but I'm going to have to save my pennies!

[Shane S.]

ya, a cuben fiber rain skirt would be a good choice also. MontBells Versalite jacket is comparable to the OR Helium II in weight and the Versalite does have pit zips, the Helium II does not if that is one of your requirements.

I see your in Washington state, there is a outstanding Montbell store here in Portland if you ever get a chance to head this way.

[Diane Pinkers]

I fixed the knife issue, didn't need it on there twice.

I wish my boyfriend would compromise on the tent, but we've been around and around on this issue, and I've given up. He likes the tent we have because there is plenty of room for both us and our gear. We don't use the vestibules at all, except maybe for boots, everything comes inside out of the rain. Also, I tried one or two non-free-standing tents, like the Lunar Duo and the Tarptent Stratospire. He is the one usually erecting the tent, and when we get to camp, he's tired and doesn't want to have to fuss with placement. He likes being able to pick up the tent and set it down elsewhere if the first shot doesn't work.

This is one reason why I don't worry about being truly ultralight–if I were hiking by myself, I could get there just by carrying a different tent and a different cook-set. I'm carrying group gear, not my gear alone. However, my paranoid be-prepared-for everything mode gets going, and stuff starts creeping in, so I use the gear list as a mental exercise to truly consider everything that is going in the pack.

[Andy F]

Yep, your list is a bit creepy… weight-wise. :)

Areas to possibly cut:
* Kindle …oops nevermind! :O
* trekking poles
* Have you tried sleeping without a pillow?
* repair kit
* toilet kit: use moss and maybe just a few wet wipes? I think I prefer moss to Charmin anyway.
* That's a big lighter! I usually just carry my firesteel in my pocket and then a mini Bic with tinder in my repair kit. I can light any alcohol or canister stove with the firesteel easily. Esbit is possible, but things get complicated.
* Mug: drink from pot or use a 16 oz Ziploc plastic bowl (0.9 oz)
* Ditch the cozies and caddies
* Go cookless?

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