First Time Sierra Gear List – Advice Needed

I am heading out to the Sierra for the first time next month. I have been honing in on a lightweight system for a while now. I am pretty happy with my kit for the East Coast but want to enlist some expert advice to see how it will transfer to the Sierra.

I will be soloing the High Sierra Trail September 18 – 22.

The detailed list is available here: http://lighterpack.com/r/6k4zkg

I starred everything where the weight is either an estimate or based on manufacturers specs. My base weight comes in at just under 14 lbs. Starting out with 5 days of food and 2 lbs of water I should max out at 23.5 lbs on day one.

Clothing – Worn

Icebreaker Tech T – 5.4 oz
Patagonia Quandary Shorts – 7.9 oz
Smartwool Boxers – 2.6 oz
EMS Sun Hat – 2.2 oz
Sunglasses – 1.4
Smartwool PhD Light Socks – 1.9 oz
Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Running Shoes – 29 oz

Clothing – Packed

Patagonia Cap 2 Long Sleeve Crew Top – 5.1 oz
Marmot Synthetic Long Underwear – 7.2 oz
Golite Selkirk Down Jacket – 6.5 oz
Frogg Toggs Ultralight 2 Rain Jacket – 5.4 oz
Frogg Toggs Ultralight 2 Rain Pants – 3.8 oz
Mountain Hardwear Powerstretch Gloves – 1.5 oz
Mountain Hardwear MicroDome Hat – 1.0 oz
Spare Smartwool PhD Light Socks – 1.9 oz

I am a big fan of merino base layers. I went with the Patagonia Capilene 2 mid-layer as I thought its fast drying capabilities would complement the wool nicely. My rain jacket will serve as my wind protection and as an additional layer should it get really cold.
I was considering skipping either the rain pants or the long underwear but after reading about the crazy weather people have been experiencing this year I am leaning towards taking both.

Pack/Storage

Gossamer Gear Mariposa – 22.9 oz
Organizer (First aid kit bag) – 2 oz
Dry Bag – 1.6 oz
MYOG Hip Belt Pouch – 2 oz (estimate)

The pack is an older model size medium I picked up on BPL (for $45!). I believe it is a size medium but I am not sure what model year it is. I use a free (if you buy 3 first aid related items) drug store first aid kit for all of my small stuff. I think this one is well worth the 2 oz. I use my dry bag for my extra clothing and it doubles as a pillow at night. I am working on a MYOG pouch for my hip belt.

Shelter

8×10 MYOG Tarp with Beak – 22 oz (estimate)
Ground Cloth – SOL Emergency blanket – 2.7 oz
Stakes – 3.9 oz

My tarp comes in at 17.7 oz before seam sealing or adding the beak. I do not have any bug protection, but I heard that it should not be an issue in this dry year.
I am using an emergency blanket as a ground cloth. I like using my sleeping pad in the sit pad pocket of my Mariposa but get nervous with it being exposed so I will be using the ground cloth to protect it while underway. It will also serve as a (d’uh) emergency blanket.

With the beak attached, I will need 8 stakes for my tarp. I am mostly using aluminum Y stakes from DIY gear supply. I will also be using a couple of Titanium hook stakes and an REI snow stake which will double as a trowel.

Sleeping System

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 20 – 24.4 Oz (listed value with stuff sack and straps)
REI Flash Inflatable Sleeping Pad – 16.3 oz

I just got the quilt to replace my 40 degree bag which wasn’t going to cut it. When camping back East I use a hammock so I think this is a great choice.

Hydration

Sawyer Mini – 1.9 oz
Sawyer Dirty Bag – 1 oz
Camelback Antidote 70 oz Reservoir – 6.5 oz
Sawyer Fast Fill Adapter – 0.2 oz
Gatorade 750 ml Bottle with insulated sleeve– 1.7 oz
Scoop (cut down water bottle with 1 micron pre-filter) – 1 oz (estimate)

The layers of the Sawyer bag seem to separating at the corners but it seems structurally sound. Has anyone actually had one of the newer bags fail? If the bag were to fail I would switch the filer to inline. On a side note I love the fast-fill adapter as it lets me fill the bladder without pulling it out of my bag.

Cooking

MYOG Esbit Cookset – 2.7 oz
Sea-To-Summit Spork (long handle) – 0.5 oz
Bear Can – BearVault BV500 – 40.5 oz (ouch)

Here are some details on the cookset: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=93460&skip_to_post=794993#794993

Tools

Exped Alpine 125 Trekking Poles – 14.2 oz
Black Diamond Storm Headlamp – 3.3 oz
Knife – 1.4 oz
Map – 1.7 oz
Compass – 0.5 oz

Gadgets

iPhone + Lifeproof waterproof case + Headphones – 6.4 oz
Battery Pack – 2.4 oz
Camera + Stickpick – 4 oz
Satellite Phone – 9.4 oz

Okay, I know I am going to take some crap for carrying 1.4 lbs of electronics, so let me explain a little. For logistic reasons I need to carry everything I need to get from Visalia through my hike and then back to Boston, there is no way that is happening without my iPhone. Having never been to the “Range of Light” before, I want to get better pictures than my phone is capable of, hence the camera. Finally the Sat Phone is a condition from my wife if I want her to be there when I get back.

Miscellaneous

Cleaning and sanitation – 4.6 oz
Pack Towel (13’ x 8.5’) – 0.8 oz
First aid – 2 oz
Candle – 1.8 oz
Lighter – .5 oz
Repair – 1.2 oz
Suntan lotion – 2 oz

I tried to include absolutely everything in the miscellaneous section as I have been guilty of adding a bunch of crap at the last minute and blowing up my weight estimates in the past. My first aid is minimal and includes some pills (Advil + Immodium + Sudafed), bandaids, and one patch of gauze and some Neosporin. I also have Duct tape (on my trekking pole) and Tenacious Tape (part of repair kit) if I need a larger bandage or splint. One thing I left off but was wondering about since every other gear list includes it is chapstick. I never use it back east but should I bring some in the dryer west?

Any insight or advice would be much appreciated!