PCT Section J – Stevens Pass to Snoqualmie pass Gear list.

I’m more of a lightweight backpacker and UL wannabe, so I’m not that picky, but here are some suggestions (assuming you have some money to spend):

A 4.5 lb pack seems excessive, you can drop over 2 lbs just on that alone with little loss of comfort.  Get a 3/4 length NeoAir at 9 oz or something like that, saving another pound over the TR ProLite Plus.  You could save another 1.5 lbs by going with a tarp instead of the BA UL2.  There are much lighter pots than the 1 lb Vargo bot.  There are lighter sleeping bags, too, but they can be expensive.

Beyond that it seems to be an ounce or two here or there, which can really add up in the end.

Ditch the BV canister in favor of an Ursack with aluminum insert.  Better yet, cook,move on, and double bag your food in Nylofume bags.  I slept with my food when I did this hike.  Never saw a bear.  Other than that, along the lines of what Elliot said.

Thanks for the input! I am going to do my best to make those changes before the trip .

as far as the bv500 goes I would like to keep it as I’m doing this to prep for the JMT.

I did that section , we just hung our food inside stuff sacks.
Is that still done there ?
( we used a technique that was explained here at BPL, we don’t need to do that here in Australia…)

also:

*skip the footprint

*I do trash compactor bag inside the pack instead of an exterior pack cover. More for function (don’t trust covers not to pool) than weight, but would prolly save a few ounces.

I’d encourage you to go with the Ursack over the BV.  This is an awesome trip in it’s own right (i might do it next year) and you want to give it your best go with the lightest weight possible. Philosophically I wouldn’t use it as training for another. (and other than carrying the weight, BVs are dead simple to use)

I would recommend a different pot. 1lb is a lot for a pot. I have a 3-piece titanium set from snow-peak (2 pots and a pan/lid) and it weighs 7oz which is still kind of heavy for some people. Titanium is far superior for heat transfer and as a natural non-stick I’ve found as well, I used to use stainless and I’ll never go back just for the ease of cleaning titanium alone.

Also the sleeping pad seems fairly heavy, these can cost money obviously but there’s much lighter options, sub 1 lb for an air pad.

The battery pack seems heavy too, I understand you may need to get in contact with family/friends but a fully charged phone staying off or on airplane mode will last 4-5 days no problem if you are only using it to contact someone 1-2 times a day.  A smaller back-up battery pack might be a better option?

Yeah the charger I got is too heavy I figured I would have to charge it once a day but didn’t take into account I will hardly be using my phone, awesome replies I’m going to make a couple changes to my pack and make my pack a little lighter hopefully it makes for a better trip!

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So…  how did it go?  :).

Section J is nearly my back yard.  I hope it was a blast.  We did the White/Chinook Pass section nearly the same time you were doing yours.

That’s awesome Adam! I learned a lot on it but didn’t have enough time to finish I just did an out and back . I’m going to try it again this August or September w more days and a lighter base weight