So I've been backpacking with the same gear for the last 10 years and I feel like I've been skimming pounds by carrying less stuff. But now I'm stuck.

Does anyone see any "red herrings" that I don't need to bring or that I just obviously need to completely replace?

http://www.prepatrip.com/lists/Mcpuddin-Ultralight-Backpacking-List

I feel like the tent and the sleeping bag definitely need to be swapped out... but beyond that not sure.

Thanks!
James

Edited by jamesprepatrip on 08/31/2012 16:49:29 MDT.

my 2 cents: Pajamas, Tent, Bag.

1L smartwater bottles instead of the Nalgenes.

definitely a lighter tent.. that is one hell of an anchor

many lighter sleeping bags or quilts.. depends what you do / where you go.

I like the dragonfly but not for backpacking.. Canister stove or alcohol cat stove so much lighter.

trail shoes instead of boots.

Skip the Camp Suds.. water and the brillo pad or just your spoon works fine. even "biodegradable" soap isn't great.

skip the trowel.. use a stick, stake, trekking pole

http://lawsonequipment.com/All-Products/Dyneema-IronWire-p514.html 1.25oz vs 6oz bear cord.

buff, bandana, camp towel... pick 1.. maybe 2

mini bic lighter and a packet of bar matches for backup in a ziplock. vs waterproof.

cooking pot?

Personal Items List Total Weight: 20 lb 10.1 oz
Clothes - Hiking Category Total Weight: 4 lb 10.9 oz
1x
Underwear
show details 2.4 oz
1x
Shirt
show details 5.9 oz
1x
Pants ( Zip-Offs preferrably )
11.1 oz
1x
Liner Socks
0.8 oz
1x
Wool Socks
3.3 oz
1x
Boots
show details Garmont Vetta Hik... 40.5 oz
1x
Hat
1.8 oz
1x
Sun Glasses
show details 2.6 oz
1x
Camera
show details 6.5 oz
Clothes - Pack ( in pack ) Category Total Weight: 2 lb 14.5 oz
1x
Camp shoes
show details 9.2 oz
1x
Warm Jacket
show details Patagonia Men's D... 11.5 oz
1x
Buff
1.3 oz
1x
Bandana
1.0 oz
1x
Rain Jacket
show details Sierra Designs Hu... 14.2 oz
1x
Rain Pants
show details Novara Stratos 2.... 9.3 oz
Essentials ( in pack ) Category Total Weight: 1 lb 3.3 oz
2x
Water Bottle ( unfilled )
show details 12.4 oz
1x
Flashlight / Headlamp
show details Petzl Tikkina 2 H... 2.9 oz
1x
Chapstick
0.3 oz
1x
Knife
show details 3.0 oz
1x
Eating Utensils and Bowl
0.7 oz
Sleeping ( in pack ) Category Total Weight: 9 lb 12.3 oz
1x
Sleeping Bag
show details REI Zephyr +20° S... 43.3 oz
1x
Sleeping Pad ( 20 degrees )
show details Therm-a-Rest Ridg... 8.6 oz
1x
Pajamas
19.8 oz
1x
Hygiene Kit
show details 1.0 oz
1x
Tent
show details 83.6 oz
Luggage Category Total Weight: 2 lb 1.1 oz
1x
Backpack
show details GoLite Men's Jam ... 30.1 oz
2x
Extra Straps
2.2 oz
1x
Carabiner
0.8 oz
Group Items List Total Weight: 4 lb 14.3 oz
Cooking Category Total Weight: 2 lb 5.2 oz
1x
Stove
show details MSR Dragonfly Stove 15.7 oz
1x
Fuel
show details MSR Fuel Bottle, ... 16.6 oz
1x
Camp Suds and Brilla Pad
2.7 oz
1x
Mess Kit
show details 1.6 oz
1x
Waterproof Matches
0.6 oz
Essentials Category Total Weight: 1 lb 8.6 oz
1x
Map
2.7 oz
1x
Sun Screen
0.5 oz
1x
Insect Repellent
show details Sawyer Jungle Jui... 2.6 oz
1x
Water Filter
show details Katadyn Hiker Pro... 15.8 oz
1x
Poison Oak Soap
show details Tecnu Outdoor Ski... 3.0 oz
Other Category Total Weight: 1 lb 0.5 oz
1x
50 ft of rope
6.6 oz
1x
Bear Bag
show details 1.9 oz
1x
First Aid Kit
show details Adventure Medical... 2.6 oz
1x
Trowel
show details Sea to Summit Poc... 3.5 oz
1x
Toilet Paper
1x
Solar Blanket
1.9 oz.

Lighter water containers
Lighter water treatment method
Lighter bear rope
Lighter stove
What's the carabiner for?
Pajamas and shelter as stated before

Obviously the tent. That is a lot of weight for a solo shelter.
Camp shoes
Waterbottles. Way heavy for that much capacity.
Sunglasses, most weigh 1 oz, you list 2.6.
What's the solar blanket for? Is that the same as a space blanket? Those are to keep someone covered in climbing/dayhiking scenarios. You have a tent and sleeping bag.

Bowl AND a meskit. Pick a waterboiling pot/kettle and a cup. Utensils plural? One spoon is sufficient for most people.

Love my Dragonfly for fancy camp cooking with a group but it is huge and heavy as is it's fuel container. Swap for a small canister stove or individual alcohol stoves.

Boots: switch to lighter pack, then use lighter shoes, ditch the camp shoes and swap the 4.1 oz sock combo for 1 pair of 1.3 oz thin merino socks.

Edited by Tjaard on 08/31/2012 19:53:34 MDT.

Tjaard, are you recommending walk around camp in socks instead of campshoes?

Bet not. Go with lighter shoes for hiking instead of those 40 some ounce boots. Just wear your shoes in camp with the laces loose and maybe the insole taken out for a little more room.