JMT/gear

Gear

• packs
  • Zpacks ArcBlast
    • 30 lb weight limit
    • $295 + extras
    • Krystle ordered 5/15/15 (expected to arrive mid/late June):
      • Volume: 52 Liters - it was this or 60, close call, both will fit a standard bear can, I thought 60 might be a bit too bulky for me
      • Color: All Army Green w/ Black accents - was tempted by orange and indigo but was swayed by green being a good stashing color
      • Torso Height: Shortest (18 inches) - as per measurements & email to Zpacks
      • Belt Length: Small (26 inches and up) - current pack measures 22", get lumbar pad if too big
      • Shoulder Pouch
      • Key Pocket (.2 oz)
      • Ice Axe Loops (Both Sides) (.1 oz) - for future mountaineering adventures
      • Trekking Pole Holders, One Side (.2 oz)
      • Shock Cord Lashing (.5 oz) - to compress for use as day pack
    • Aaron got a 60L, grey, 19" with two side pockets, shock cord lashing, and a key pocket.
  • Skurka recommended ULA Circuit
    • 30 lb weight limit
    • $225 including extras
• bear cans (rent?)
  • yosemite rental
• shoes
  • main shoes (vivos? minimalist?)
    • Krystle ordered Altra Superior 1.5 on 5/14
      • Joe recommended - many people used them on JMT & PCT, zero drop but thicker sole than Vivos, better for rocky Sierras terrain
      • Someone somewhere on the Internet said Superior dries more quickly than Lone Peak, but I did not confirm; these seem meshy and quick drying though.
      • Superior 2.0 is more expensive and looks so blocky and I have skinny feet so
      • I love the velcro in the back for gaiters
  • camp shoes (flip flops? xeros?)
    • also for stream crossings
• tent (note: apply additional waterproofing)
  • Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL2
    • Weight: 4 lbs 2.7 oz / 66.7 oz (source)
      • Could save a little weight by using my titanium stakes, how many stakes does this tent actually need? Come with 10 that weigh 5.1 oz total, my 6 weigh 1.3 oz
    • removable rain fly for stargazing (though this can easily be arranged outside of the tent as well)
    • freestanding
  • Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter
    • Weight: 3 lbs 10.3 oz / 57 oz
    • more spacious (floor space 34 ft^2)
• tarp/groundcloth/footprint
  • lunar duo tyvek footprint - 6.5 oz
• trekking poles
• sunblock
• sunglasses
• gaiters
• camera
• maps/navigation
• biodegradable soap (bronner's?)
• hand sanitizer
• wipes
• stove & fuel
• cooking kit
• knife/multitool/utensils
• udigit
• first aid/emergency kit
  • bandaids
  • secondskin
  • moleskin
  • bodyglide
  • pepto
  • immodium AD
  • painkillers
  • aspirin
  • epipen
  • duct tape
  • superglue
  • needle + thread
  • waterproof matches
  • water treatment tablets
  • bug bite treatment
  • lighter
• compass
• emergency whistle
• medication
  • inhalers
  • pill
• clothing
  • base layers
  • swimming stuff
  • Mid-weight insulation
    • North Face Thermo Ball
  • rain shell
    • Aaron's going w the OR Helium II
    • Krystle - Sierra Designs cagoule
  • socks
  • underwear
  • shorts
  • gloves
• microtowel(s)
• sleeping pads
  • Therm-a-rest NeoAir XLite (womens — smaller, lighter, warmer)
• sleeping bags/quilts (Jesse recommends rated down to 20 deg)
  • liner?
  • K to buy...some options:
    • prodigy 26 oz / $170
    • spirit quilt 21 oz / $215
    • DIY 24 oz / way cheaper (primaloft available here)
      • alternative: 2 layers of climashield apex. Primaloft sport wears faster, isn't as effective of an insulator (warmth to weight ratio). Primaloft Gold is great but really hard to find.
• hat/cap/beanie
• bug repellant
• itty bitty foam roller (tennis ball)
• water filter
• water bottles/containers
• glasses/contacts stuff
• toothbrush
• paper towels
• zip lock bags
• headlamps, flashlights
• batteries
• watch
• ID, health insurance card, cash, debit card
• emergency contact info
• lip balm
• paper and pen
• nail clippers
• mini scissors (for cutting moleskin donuts)

Food

• coffee
• resupply treats!
  • dried fruit
• energy bars/mix
• couscous
• ramen
• cheese
• cured meat - sausage/salami

Sample Gear Lists

• 8.22 lbs base weight
• 14 lbs base weight
• 20 lb base weight

Timberline Trail Shakedown Notes

• Tent: Not a huge fan. Did poorly in the rain. Spaciousness is nice but the big footprint is a tradeoff (finding a good tent pad, carrying a bigger groundcloth). Trade for or buy smaller tent, save the weight.
  • Lost a tent stake. Always carry an extra or two.
  • Cowboy camping is fun, do this when possible.
• Vivobarefoot Breatho Trail shoes make good crossing and alternate shoes. Bad for walking through sand/ash (especially when hot). Socks got full of sand, soles got painfully hot.
• Get better socks, buy several pairs of the same for easy interchangeability.
• Altras were great. Only got a hot spot on the ball of my right foot when socks were damp and I was going uphill. Did not develop into a blister - might be able to toughen with training. Treat this pre-emptively with BodyGlide.
• Gaiters were great. Kept so much debris out of my shoes.
• Uphill technique: Short steps, keeping ankles loose (think of feet hanging loosely on hinges) helped a lot with uphill stamina.
• Handerchief/microtowel was super handy. Kept my hair out of my face, kept sun off my hair, wiped sweat off my face, dried my feet after a stream crossing, good for cleaning my legs and my dishes, etc.
• 2 lbs of food per day was sufficient. Could probably bring it down to 1.5 with good calorie management.
• 2 liters of water in the heat was just enough with the intense heat and frequent water sources. Stick with 3 just in case?
• Not sold on the Sawyer mini. Slower than the regular Sawyer. Benefit of weight saved doesn't seem huge.
• Definitely need lighter, more compact sleeping pad & bag.
• Bring head net. Bugs really do love my blood. DEET was very handy but would rather avoid toxicity if possible.
• Need better GPS, phone dies too quickly.
• Trekking poles are a must for stream crossings.
• Stuffing makes good appetizer and filler for when you put too much water in your hot food.
• I need more sunblock than I think I do, especially the backs of my shoulders.
• Hiking in shorts is great. One pair in particular was perfect. Only drawback is more scraping in rocks.
• Swimming in lakes is, indeed, very refreshing and uplifting.