Lightest 20F Pack Weight

[John E]

Here’s my gearlist for backpacking above treeline and being able to stay warm down to 20F:

https://www.geargrams.com/list?id=43968

Is there any way to lighten this up?  Thank you all in advance!

[Lester Moore]

A few ways to lighten your gear up, depending on what compromises you’re willing to make. Do you need two baselayer tops and two spare socks? How about swapping out four of those Groundhogs for lighter stakes (2 Groundhogs for the front and back, 4 LS Meye Ti stakes for corners?)

You mentioned using this gear above treeline. Consider swapping out the umbrella for a rain jacket – umbrellas are excellent unless it’s windy, then they are a liability.

[John E]

One top is for sleeping and the extra pair of socks is for wet sock rotation.  Do you sleep in dirty top?  Could you link to those stakes?

[Lester Moore]

Sleep in dirty top – hardly every in 3 seasons. I rinse my shirt a few hours before reaching camp, and at least do an upper body wash before bed each night, unless it’s below freezing. In addition, I usually sleep with a wind shirt as my outer layer, so I don’t notice any smell and it keeps oils out of my down quilt (and adds insulation too).

Stakes for different uses:

Good stakes for moderate tension and holding power:
http://www.litesmith.com/meye-ti-titanium-stakes/

Good stakes for low tension (side pullouts:)
UL Ti Stakes – http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml

Alternative to Groundhogs for looser soils (can’t pound them in like Groundhogs, though):
6.5 inch Titanium V Stakes – http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/stakes.shtml

btw – You mentioned using this gear above treeline. Consider swapping out the umbrella for a rain jacket – umbrellas are excellent unless it’s windy, then they are a liability.

[John E]

Thanks for the sleepwear tips, I will have to do that.  I take it you usually skip the rain bottoms?

[Lester Moore]

Unless it’s late/early shoulder season, I’m climbing a high glaciated peak, and/or there’s a possibility of sustained cold rain and/or sustained sub-freezing temps, I just let my legs get wet and it’s not a problem. I always wear long hiking pants with tight weave, so they break wind pretty well and are comfy into the 20’s. If it’s in the 20’s and windy putting a 4 ounce pair of long underwear under the hiking pants makes it comfy while hiking, but wind or rain pants would work even better for this.

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