Me – late 50’s, bad knees, disinclination to suffer – all good reasons to work the “lightweight but comfortable” compromise to it’s utmost. I’m always searching for that sweet spot – the lightest reasonable pack weight with the most reasonable comfort. We tried out my latest iteration on a 2-night trip to Gable Lakes and Mount Tom in the Sierra Nevada, and I have to say it was one of the best backcountry camping experiences I’ve had yet.
I present this list as a reference point for you – budget, inclination, better research, personal preference – all may push you in a different direction. No worries, but if you find something better, I’d love to hear about it!
I’ll start with the Big Four (usually the Big Three, but in most places I go in the Sierra, a bear canister is a necessity) – pack + tent + sleeping system + bear canister.
- Pack – Gossamer Gear Mariposa. I wound up adding a couple panels from a Thermarest Z-Lite to pad the back; doubled as a nice warm-on-my-butt camp chair. Also so light it works great as a peak pack – thus removing even more weight. Winning!
- Tent – Marmot Pulsar 2. It was on sale and bigger+ lighter than our 2-person REI tent.
- Sleeping system – Z-Packs 20 degree twin; Thermarest NeoAir Xtherm. The Xtherm is amazingly warm. Crinkly when you move. Not the greatest for sleeping naked, a problem which I’ve solved with silk long johns – light, warm and slinky!
- Bear canister – Wildideas Bearikade Weekender. Love it and it’s the perfect height to sit on.
Hiking Poles. Black Diamond Ultra Z Pole. Fast setup, fast breakdown, ultra light. Not sold on hiking poles – here’s a nice list of why’s – and some reviews.
Water – we carry a an MSR Sweetwater filter and six Platypus 1-liter bags. Six may sound excessive, but I do not want my alpine start on peak day to begin with a trip to get water. Leave the Camelback or any other drinking hose system at home. Fussy + I guarantee you’ll drag the hose tip in the dirt + extra weight for absolutely no benefit.
Clothing. My rules – ultralight, does the job, fast drying (no cotton!). My list for a midseason trip:
- 1 pair SmartWool socks. Warm, fast drying and I’ve worn them for over a week at a time…
- Boots – Treksta Mid GTX. What you put on your feet is highly personal; all I’ll say is the lightest footwear that meets the need is the best. I’ve climbed many California Fourteeners in cross trainers. Also, unless you’re planning on donning front-pointing crampons, heavy mountaineering boots are just going to make you miserable. Also, heavy boots make your feet sweat, leading to blisters and other miseries…
- Pants – Arcteryx Palisade pant. I live in these every day I have pants on.
- Shirt – SmartWool t-shirt and Arcteryx Skyline shirt.
- Warmth – Patagonia Gnarwall Beanie, SmartWool neck gaiter, gloves, Marmot windshirt, Marmot PreCip rain jacket (large enough to fit over all warm clothes), Patagonia Ultralight Down Hoody.
Kitchen. No mess, no cleanup.
- JetBoil Sol Ti and small canister of gas
- Long handled titanium spoon
- Home made cooking pouch – for rehydrating home dehydrated meals.
Food. In the past, this has been a big problem for me. This last trip was the most successful food trip I’ve ever had, primarily thanks to home dehydrated food and the commercial eggs.
- Home dehydrated soups, stews and casseroles.
- Ova Easy powdered whole eggs. Forget any other powdered eggs.
- Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, Kind bars, Clif bars, peanut butter tubs, Clif Shot Blox, Snickers bars, Organic Blue Corn chips, beet chips – portable, ready-to-eat calories…
- Fresh sandwiches, fruits and veggies for inbound day.
Personal Items.
- Small toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, TP
- Mentholatum. Excellent solution for high altitude stuffies.
- Lightweight headlamp (Petzl e+LITE). Usually no extra batteries; I swap them out before going in and then use the partially discharged rejects in my key fobs.
- One garbage bag – so many purposes.
- “Ten Essentials” bag w/ skeeter headnet, fire making, small bottle of sunscreen, etc…
- Camera / extra battery. As if you didn’t know that…
