I am planning on hiking the Tahoe Rim Trail this august and have so far have come up with this list. I have been using this kit fairly well in southern Idaho and Northern Utah. I’m looking for a couple of ways to improve/lighten this kit. The pack and the sleeping bag are 2 of the items that I’m really reluctant to change because I like them so much.


Arc'Teryx Bora 35 38.00
200 weight fleece hat 2.00
Silk weight Long Johns 3.00
Marmot Ion wind shirt 4.00
Moonstone Cirrus 12.00
thermax gloves 1.00
wool socks 2.00
Compass 1.00
Fire Starter 0.50
First aid kit 1.50
Petzl Tikka 2.60
swiss army kinfe 1.00
Bear Bag System 2.50
BLM Long Ti Spoon 0.60
brasslite turbo I 1.50
foil wind screen 0.50
fuel storage 0.70
snow peak 700 w/foil lid 3.00
Toliet paper 1.00
Wash kit 2.00
Bug Head Netting 1.30
FF Vireo epic shell w/800 fill 18.00
GoLite Ground Sheet 3.00
Golite Poncho w/stakes and cord 12.00
TorsoLite 10.00
2 Platys 1.70
Aqua Mira in mini droppers 1.50

Total Weight of Selected Items 7.96 pounds

I can't poke any holes in your list, other than agreeing that the pack's "overkill" for the gear weight but if it's comfortable, so what?

Tahoe is a milder climate than Idaho and Utah, so you're probably good to go if this kit works for you there. Tahoe in August is typically dry and mild (famous last words ;-)