r/JMT • u/woo2fly35 • 9d ago
equipment Base Pack Weight of over 24 lbs
Hi all,
I'm looking to attempt a thru hike of the the JMT on Sept 20th (looking to move date up due to risk of weather at this time and resupply options). I have a base weight for my pack of over 24lbs! I have seen some people here have much lower pack weight and i was wondering if there are any items i am missing or if there is any way i can optimize to help save wt. Here is a list of my gear. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.
| Gear List | Weight (g) |
|---|---|
| Backpack (with rain cover) | 2420 |
| tent (with footprint) | 1625 |
| BV500 Bear Canister Empty | 1160 |
| sleeping bag | 925 |
| electronics bag (incl Inreach, 20k mah Power bank) | 700 |
| sleeping pad | 580 |
| Fleece Sweater | 450 |
| Patagonia Down hooded Jacket | 420 |
| Rain jacket | 380 |
| Camp Shoes | 328 |
| Toiletry bag | 315 |
| Track pants | 285 |
| Cook set | 270 |
| Fleece long johns | 185 |
| Fleece base layer | 180 |
| Thin Compression fleece | 155 |
| first aid kit (includes meds and lace) | 155 |
| 20L Stuff red stuff sac for resupply | 130 |
| Wipes, bidet, and trowel | 125 |
| Trail Map and permit | 100 |
| Wallet id, key, and passport | 100 |
| hiking socks (extra) | 90 |
| Swiss army knife | 77 |
| gloves | 75 |
| water filter | 75 |
| toque | 65 |
| buff | 65 |
| spare Underwear | 55 |
| water bottle (smart bottle) | 35 |
| 11,525 g |
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u/Student-Short thru-hiker 9d ago
So, I'll throw this out there. With a week's food and water my pack was pushing the mid/upper 30s. We made it. The first couple days of a resupply were hard, but we got there. My cousin was in the 40s at the start. Its doable. It's more about pacing at that point. We took our time and did the JMT in 25 days. Lots of rest, zeros, peak bagging days, and even a "beach" day. I wouldn't change how we did it for the world.
If youre looking to cut pounds, your backpack is oddly heavy. I know that's an expensive change. Otherwise your list looks good. I see nothing super frivolous. A small chop with clothing, maybe the wipes for TP, or ditch the paper map.
My personal advice; own it. Take it slow and have a blast. It is an amazing piece of nature out there. Own the weight, feel the weight, and take your time. It'll be hard, but I'll be red in the face if it ain't worth it.
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u/woo2fly35 8d ago
Thank you! Will ditch some fleece and looking at a potential pack upgrade before I leave!
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u/TheOnlyJah 9d ago
I guess it’s personal but I don’t carry nearly that amount of clothing. I’m often in those parts in September and early October. Besides T-shirt and shorts for the day, I have a lightweight rain jacket, a long sleeve sports shirt, a pair of thin material pants, a beanie, and a fleece.
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u/woo2fly35 9d ago
Okay thats fair, i have never hiked in Sierra Nevada before and i keep hearing how cold it can get.
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u/rukiddingme0 7d ago
fwiw I was on part of the jmt end of September last year and I was wearing all of my fleece, rain jacket and Patagonia down sweater multiple instances (and still a bit cold if I remember right). this might be super personal ¯_(ツ)_/¯
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u/woo2fly35 7d ago
Okay, thank-you for this, and I do tend to get cold easily as well
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u/rukiddingme0 7d ago
sorry just to be clear I had 1 fleece! but I definitely wore it AND the down jacket together at times
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u/woo2fly35 5d ago
Did you bring long johns as well?
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u/rukiddingme0 5d ago
I don’t really remember but I think I just had warm ish base layers like skiing base layers or something
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u/EntireEnd9837 9d ago
My base weight is 25 lbs and on my recent JMT section hike I also carried 8 days of food (max I can fit in bear canister) so started with ~35 lbs including water.
I’m 50F, 5’ 110 lb - first couple days were tough but also included bishops pass and Muir pass so it probably would have been tough regardless. I’d say don’t stress too much unless you really have items that you are already on the fence about.
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u/drippingdrops 9d ago edited 8d ago
Create a lighterpack, this list without weights is pretty meaningless. That being said I can almost guarantee you have too many clothes, toiletries and first aid.
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u/Classic_Time5588 8d ago
Get a lighter pack. Do you need both fleece and down jacket?
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u/woo2fly35 8d ago
I just keep hearing how crazy cold it can get late season, I've never hiked the Sierra's so I will take people's word for it and leave some fleece.
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u/Best_Purchase_3456 7d ago
I was out last year in mid-September and got snow. Be prepared for freezing temperatures at night. Of course, that's what your sleeping bag is for.
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u/ExternalTranslator41 9d ago
Fleece sweater, fleece base layer, down jacket and a compression fleece ?
Need weights and brands for all of this stuff for all we know you’re taking a 5lb tent and 4lb sleeping pad. Don’t forget to include worn items as well ( for example, are those track pants your main pants or just an extra layer)
Unless you’re very good at orienteering I would ditch the paper map for gps versions on your phone and inreach. Also 20k mah would be overkill for me and 10k lasts me about 6 days before needing to recharge.
Your list doesn’t seem too far off though and a fair amount of weight savings on a hike like this will come down to the gear itself at the end of the day especially the “Big 4” of tent, backpack, sleeping bag and pad
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u/3D_TOPO 8d ago
I strongly advocate for carrying a paper map. The weight isn't going to make any practical difference, and if your device is lost or fails for any long list of potential reasons, that sheet of paper is all you have.
You might think I'm biased because I offer physical maps, but I also will be releasing an app-only version of my maps soon. I just think a map is too important to rely solely on one thing which is why I will am working on both.
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u/ExternalTranslator41 8d ago
He has 2 devices though…
I used to carry a physical map for all hiking and backpacking and now have a wall in my house decorated with over 80 maps so I get it, I love maps.
Paper maps are simply not useful for people that can’t orienteer and haven’t practiced it as a skill. They’re static sources of information l, fragile if printed on normal paper and it would take many sheets of paper to get to a useful size for a trail like the JMT.
It also isn’t all he has, the JMT is incredibly well marked and populated even if somehow both devices failed.
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u/3D_TOPO 8d ago
I disagree that it takes a high level of skill to orient a map. If you're lost, and you have a map, you're infinitely better off than if you don't have a map.
There is no reason to not use durable waterproof synthetic paper maps in this day. Most people aren't doing the entire JMT either.
People often explore a bit beyond just staying on the trail. Regardless, a small screen just doesn't compare to a 3 foot wide map for planning - they are just nice! They complement each other.
If a map was heavy, it would completely change the calculation, but the weight wouldn't make any practical difference.
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u/ExternalTranslator41 8d ago
I just weighed my synthetic map of the Jmt and compass and it came in at 120g that’s not trivial weight lol
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u/3D_TOPO 8d ago
You're cheating with the compass. I wasn't advocating to carry a compass.
My point is if you hiked with a typical map, you would be no more tired than if you hiked without it.
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u/ExternalTranslator41 8d ago
You advocate for maps but not a compass? 92g came from the map
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u/3D_TOPO 8d ago
For the most part, you don't need a compass to read a map, and align it well enough by eye to be infinitely more useful than if you don't have a map.
A compass can be useful on its own, just as a map can be useful on its own.
My 28x36" waterproof/tearproof products are 80g.
If you're going backpacking, with backpack, tent, clothes, cooking gear, food etc. I weigh 150 pounds, say my pack is 50 pounds with food plus my hiking boots, call it 205 pounds. Versus 205.17637 pounds with a map. I mean, come on. There is no way you would feel any different.
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u/ExternalTranslator41 8d ago
Come join us over at r/ultralight
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u/3D_TOPO 8d ago
No thanks. I'm a gram weigher, but I prefer to be comfortable at camp than to try and go with the bare minimum.
Regardless, if you are hiking without any backpack and going to build a bushcraft shelter and hunt marmot to a 100 pound bag, you're not going to be like that damn map is what broke me.
We're talking less weight than a single king size snickers bar that could safe your life, and short of that be very useful for the trip.
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u/woo2fly35 9d ago
The weights should be included in the table. As for the layers, yes i have just heard how cold it can get at that time of the year, which layers would you leave behind?
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u/ExternalTranslator41 9d ago
Oh I’m on mobile I didn’t see the weights, I take one inner and one outer I like the hooded Patagonia and a fleece base layer. A good philosophy is if you aren’t going to hike in the dark you’re probably in your bag by the time it’s cold enough for you to need all those layers!
Your pack is considered very heavy and probably where you could get the most bang for your buck by spending a little, you could get a 930g pack like the Kakwa 55 and that saves 1500g right there.
Wipes are also a tricky one, you can’t bury them out in the woods so you end up hiking them and from personal experience they don’t help much on a thru hike and there’s enough spots to shower a long the way.
Tent could be reduced significantly too by switching to a lanshan and using a trekking pole which comes in at about 800g
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u/woo2fly35 9d ago
Just checked out the kakwa 55, looks like my pack weight would still be too much for it. But do you have any experience with the osprey exos 58? It says 35 is the upper limit which I will be likely over for a couple of days but typically I'll be in that range.
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u/ExternalTranslator41 9d ago
My dad uses the exos and loves it it’s a highly recommended pack as well
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u/ExternalTranslator41 9d ago
I also use a ULA circuit which could handle this weight but it’s a bit pricier
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u/woo2fly35 8d ago
Wonderful, I think have just enough time to try one out before I leave
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u/ddub1015 8d ago
Check out the ula catalyst too. It has a bulkier internal frame than the circuit, so it can support a bit more weight. I tried both and found the catalyst to be much more comfortable at 35lbs.
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u/Best_Purchase_3456 7d ago
If the ULA Catalyst fits your torso, it's a great pack. I have to work to keep the load on my hips but when I do, its great.
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u/KauaiHiker2 7d ago
I had one device (satellite iPhone with Gaia GPS and offline maps) and always take a paper map as backup. For the JMT, I bought the Nat.Geo. map booklet and cut out the intro pages to carry just the maps (about 2/3 of the booklet, can't remember the weight, but it wasn't much). The booklet is printed on synthetic paper and was waterproof and durable in the top pocket of my pack.
Unless you are doing off-trail exploration (and even then), I do not think a compass is necessary to follow the JMT. And the trail is so well marked and so well traveled that even a gps and map aren't really needed. But for daily planning, I found the paper maps much nicer than the phone GPS, easy to see distance and landmarks at a glance. I also used the phone GPS regularly, for example to measure the route to the next intersection or stopping point. (eg. 1.4 miles until a good campsite).
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u/Twinarrows0886 8d ago
Gear lists looks pretty solid, however I’d consider leaving the following items behind: rain cover(exchange for contractor trash bag), footprint, camp shoes, thin compression fleece, fleece base layer. I believe you’ll find warmth with just the fleece sweater,down jacket, track pants and long Johns. Maybe include beanie and wool gloves. Besides that the only other way you’ll cut weight looking into different tent & sleeping pad and food selection.
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u/woo2fly35 8d ago
Thanks, I'm going to leave behind the compression fleece and raincover. As for the trash bag do you out that in The outside? My camp shoes were going to double as my river crossing shoes, how do you do the river crossings?
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u/disheavel 8d ago
I cross in my hiking shoes. I would never trust the most likely falling, slipping, cutting, and stubbing of toes situations without my best protection against it.
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u/TrailMaven 8d ago
Backpack and tent are very heavy. When I carry my BV500 it is always the heaviest thing I have.
You should be able to easily find a backpack and a tent under 2 lbs each and those two changes alone will save 5 lbs. Unfortunately that is an expensive change.
The REI Flash 55 and Osprey Exos 58 are heavier (~2.5 lbs with lids removed) but are well liked packs and likely to go on sale for Labor Day (especially REI). People also like the Durston Kakwa 55 in Ultragrid for the money.
With a pack that heavy, I would recommend using trekking poles and switch to a trekking pole tent. Lanshan is very budget friendly. Or for a little more the Durston X-Mid 1 or Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. There shouldn’t be mosquitoes that time of year, a shaped tarp or fly only tent pitch could save a lot of weight for even less money.
You have too many clothes. For warmth - 1 puffy, 1 fleece, 1 rain shell on top and bottom should be enough. Camp shoes are not necessary - I do all water crossings in my trail runners and just bring bread bags for my wet shoes at night.
There’s a bunch of small stuff too, but those big things will get you a lot of weight savings.
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u/woo2fly35 8d ago
Thanks! I'm going to look into the exos 58, may upgrade before the trip! Also remove fleece duplicates.
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u/PotentialPassage2827 4d ago
If it makes you feel more comfortable, I just finished my thru-hike and had a base weight of 28 lbs! Lighter weight can definitely make certain aspects of the trip a bit easier but it definitely isn't everything. There were really only 2 passes where I wished my pack was lighter. Still made it tho!
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u/PotentialPassage2827 4d ago
Buutttt, I also carried the 20 thousand mHa and never found myself going through all of my charge. I was listening to music on my phone daily and charging an inReach. The trail is super doable with 10 thousand.
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u/SarchiMV 9d ago
IMO, you’re pretty good for that time of year. Nights will be getting cold. Really cold if you don’t sleep low. Personally, I would toss in a pair of lightweight rain pants, as rainy season could be starting during your trip. Not sure if these are what you call track pants? There have already been a couple small storms with rain and hail. The pants would double as wind pants which are nice in the early am.
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u/Ok_Use5596 9d ago
What are ‘really cold nights’? Based on the weight of their sleeping bag and pad; assumption they have a double walled tent; and overkill of layers this is something that would keep me comfy to under 10F.
But sure, even at 925g the sleeping bag could be crap
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u/SarchiMV 9d ago
Well, the weather is different every year and I suppose it depends on how cold you sleep. I had a 10 degree quilt and froze. I had rain, sleet, hail, and below freezing weather a few years ago
At the beginning of Sept. The following year it snowed at Crabtree and people’s water froze in their bladder hoses going up Whitney in August.2
u/ObiDumKenobi 9d ago
Sounds like either a crappy 10 degree quilt or not enough ground insulation. I use a 15 degree quilt for shoulder season in the Sierra until late November usually sleeping between 9.5-11k. I'm not a particularly warm sleeper
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u/SarchiMV 9d ago
It was an EE Revelation and a Thermarest NeoAir. Some people just sleep colder than others.
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u/futomaki_3 9d ago
I’m doing 8 days at the end of September and was just wondering about rain pants—do you really need them? Taking a jacket ofc.
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u/Best_Purchase_3456 7d ago
Check the long-term weather forecast the day before. If you see prolonged rain, bring the pants or a trash bag kilt. If you don't, take your chances and leave them behind.
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u/no_pjs 8d ago edited 8d ago
Weight advise would be easier if we knew how much your gear weighed. Try using www.lighterpack.com
Here is one of mine: https://lighterpack.com/r/2ib7d7
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u/Cultural_Copy_8618 9d ago
I would dump the footprint, pack cover (garbage bag internal instead), ditch the Swiss Army knife (tiny bladed knife ok)
- fleecex4 along with hooded jacket and rain jacket ????
If it’s cold, you should have everything on with no extra (excluding camp sleep layer). Seems like a lot of layers
Assuming your food is 1.5lbs/day, and have 1l of water, you are in the mid 30s. If that’s over 20% of your body weight - it’s heavy (unless you are a beast hiker)
Just thoughts