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

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.