I hiked the JMT last year, but am making some major changes to my gear for this upcoming year. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.



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WORN:
Nike Feather Light Visor
Bandana
Icebreaker Tech T
Railriders Eco-Mesh
Nike Running Spandex
Injinji Coolmax
Moeben Arm Sleeves
Scarpa Spark trail runners
Gossamer Gear LT4
ACR Whistle
Suunto Core

OTHER CLOTHING:
Patagonia Houdini
Montane Minimus rain jacket
Patagonia Cap 4 beanie
Patagonia Cap 4 hoody
Patagonia Cap 4 leggings
Patagonia Utralight Down Hoody
PossumDown fingerless gloves

SLEEP SYSTEM:
MLD Cuben Grace Duo
YMG Net Tent 2.0
GG Thinlight 1/8"
Klymit Static V 3/4 length
Vargo Ti tent stakes x8
Nunatak Arc Specialist
PossumDown sleep socks

PACKING:
MLD Burn
HMG cuben stuff sacks
Zpacks cuben pack cover
Zpacks cuben drybag
Ursack (I'm hoping!)

COOKING AND WATER:
Snow Peak LiteMax Ti
Snow Peak 450 cup Ti
Snow Peak Spork Ti
Evernew 900ml water bottle
Evernew 1.5L water bottle
Sawyer Squeeze filter
Aqua Mira backup tablets
Glad Plastic Cup

OTHER ESSENTIALS:
Zebralight H31 with rubber band strap
first aid kit: blister care (lots of duct tape), misc. medicines
firestarting kit: LMF mini firesteel, minibic, waterproof matches, tinderquik
sunscreen, repackaged
deet, repackaged
maps


* Changes [WORN]:
I wore a Tilley, but my head sweat quite a bit in it. I'll miss the sun protection, and the ability to wear a bug net over it conveniently. Still not sure yet if I want to use a visor. I hiked in the Roclite 315s. I loved everything about them except the lack of toe protection. They're still in the mail, but I'm hoping the Sparks will have more substantial toe protection. I also changed my t-shirt from a synthetic MHW Wicked Lite to the merino Tech T. The MHW shirt was really, really gross after a while; looking forward to hiking in the "no-stink" shirt instead.

* Changes [OTHER CLOTHES]:
I used a merino hoody, leggings and beanie last year, but I've made the switch over to synthetics. The new cap 4 material is warmer for the weight. I don't anticipate sweating in it, so the stink should be tolerable (except for maybe the beanie). I didn't have any sleep socks last year, so I've added the PossumDown socks. My feet were freezing at night, so hopefully this will help. Having both the capilene 4 hoody and the Houdini is a bit redundant. If I were to leave one of them at home, it'd be the Houdini - because I really love the new cap 4 hoody. Bringing the RR EcoMesh and Cap4 tights is a bit redundant as well. Running shorts + tights might be a better combo, but I'd dread camping below treeline during bug season with bare legs. I think they'd bite through the Cap4 tights, too (the new Cap 4 is very thin). Having running shorts would make it easier to go for swims though - I'm a bit too modest to swim in my spandex. :}

* Changes [PACKING]:
I took a GG Gorilla last year, but it had way too much pack volume. I don't have a burn yet, but I think I can fit all of my gear in it. I've looked at peoples gear lists who use the burn, and they seem similar to mine. I think I'll have to use a bigger pack if the Ursack doesn't get approved. Either that or I can strap a Bearikade weekender to the top of my Burn. I fit 6 days of food in my BV450 last year (my bear can tetris skills improved greatly through performing that trying task), and the weekender is 650CI, so it should be plenty space.

Edited by travis.bickle on 01/10/2013 20:35:55 MST.

How did you carry the bearikade (or did you use the BV?) in the gorilla? I'm doing the JMT in 13 as well...this will be my first time using a canister with the Gorilla.

Frankly, I need to post my gear list because my gear lists look an awful lot like everyone else's, but goodness gracious I don't see how you guys have "so much room!" in your packs ;)

I used the BV450 and was able to fit a maximum of 6 days food. This was with repackaging and very careful packing. I'll use the Weekender next year because I'll be going with my girlfriend, so the extra volume should allow us to make it 5 days (with 1st day food out of can). Ideally, the ursack will be approved though and we can use that. I saw someone on the trail using it anyway, despite it not being approved in SEKI. He didn't seem too concerned about getting caught.

It's a solid list, but you do have a few things you should nix.

Carry 2 bic's at all time, forget the fire steel and other things.

Use a one pot system, lose your extra cup.

Go esbit or alcohol.

Depending on tempature nix some extra clothing, evaluate if your going to be hiking all day and if you really NEED all of that. Windshirt and rain shell nix one if possible.

Overall I think it's going to be a tight fit In a mld burn. But with a few refinements you are well on your way.

Jennifer,

I have used the berikade weekender and the big bearvault in a GG Gorilla and it worked great. I also used the weekender in a HMG Windrider this year without any issue. I have always carried the canister inside my pack. Strapping on top just wouldn't work for me.

Travis

A bear canister wouldn't fit inside a Burn and I personally wouldn't carry it on top. I would suggest testing before trying that.

With a title like that I was expecting quite the story.

Michael -
Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will nix the firesteel, but the tinderquik makes a fire a lot easier to start when all the sticks are wet, and it weighs nearly nothing. Or maybe I just need more technique ;)

I am really considering dropping the rain jacket. I took it with me on the JMT but despite it raining for 5 days, I only wore it once. When we finished hiking that day to set up camp, it was still raining. We didn't want to eat too close to our campsite (bears), so we cooked away from it as it was pouring rain. In hindsight, I could have just waited a few hours for the rain to stop or at least lighten up. Another option would be to set up the GraceDuo, eat dinner, and then hike on to a camp site. Part of the desire for a rain jacket comes from wanting to protect my down jacket. If I used a Primaloft top, a rain jacket becomes less necessary.

So, here's what I'm thinking:
[+] Patagonia Nano Puff Vest (-2 oz)
[+] PossumDown beanie (+1.6 oz)
[+] Exped Downmat UL XS (+1.5 oz)
[+] Ridgerest 16"x20" piece to double as Burn backpad/quilt footbox insert (+2.5 oz)
[-] Cut down GG pad to 47", to protect Downmat (-.7)
[-] Ultralight Down Hoody
[-] Klymit Static V
[-] Rain jacket (-7.5oz)
[-] Patagonia Cap 4 leggings (-7oz)

(-2) + 1.6 + 1.5 + 2.5 + (-.7) + (-7.5) + (-7) = -11.6oz weight savings

The ChromeDome is 8oz, if I opted to take it.

The reason for the cup is that I'll be hiking with my girlfriend, either she'll use the pot while I use the cup, or we'll both have cups.

I'll probably sleep warmer with this setup as well, due to having nearly 5x the R-value of sleeping pad. I'd say the PossumDown hat is at least as warm as the down hood.

I could use the Ridgerest piece against my back, and the 1/8" layer lining the rest of the pack, or rolled up attached to the side with compression straps.

Another option is to bring along my GoLite ChromeDome and strap it to the side of the pack in case of rain, and to use when the sun is really beating down on me. At this point, I'm a bit more concerned with bulk than I am with weight. My base weight should remain under 8lbs, which is what I set out to attain.

I chose the Downmat UL over the Klymit because I think it will allow me to ditch the 7oz leggings and opt for a vest over a full jacket.
With no rain jacket, I can hike in the Cap4 Hoody, Nano Puff and Houdini - this set up would still keep me warm even if it got wet. I'd put the Nano Puff on as a last resort, as I'd rather keep it dry - but it is an option. The Cap4 material dries quickly.

Brad -

Yeah, I am banking on the Ursack being approved. If not, I can always use the bear boxes near Rae Lakes.

"Yeah, I am banking on the Ursack being approved."

For all of the years that it has not been approved, why do you think that is changing now?

--B.G.--

Bob -
The testing of of the Ursack was passed to a different organization.

I received this email from Tom at Ursack:
"We are hopeful that the IGBC will figure out a test protocol (and that we will pass) well before next summer. They have been notoriously slow, but I keep pushing and they are aware of the summer season.
There are only 3 places in SEKI where Ursack is not currently allowed, and some of those (like Rae Lakes) have NPS installed bear boxes."

Rangers I spoke to about the Ursack seemed to have a positive attitude toward it - one even said that if I were using one and he "caught" me, he wouldn't "bust" me.

And again, the hiker I met didn't seem to be worried about it - which made me feel as if he'd gotten a similar reaction from a ranger in the past.

The comment from Tom at Ursack is (as it is called) forward thinking. It keeps pushing the Ursack product sales and ignoring the risk of continued non-approval.

--B.G.--

Travis,

No right answer to most of this, but since you ask...

I would take the Gorilla for the support and hip belt. Use a xTherm and a piece of tyvek/polycro. Drop all the other ground stuff. I use a tyvek/xtherm system under a MLD Trailstar last year without any issue. I've also used a neoair/katabatic bivy under a grace duo without issue.

If you have cold feet use the goosefeet. Money and beat the socks in my opinion.

You don't need down hoody with warm hat, pat4 hoody and rain jacket/wind shirt with hood.

Jacket insulation. If I go in July/August I take Montbell EX. September I take first ascents downsweather. However I always check the weather ahead of time and make a game time decision. I have a Montbell alpine parka just in case, but have never had to take.

When are you going?

I would love to use the Xtherm, but the fact is that it's just too crinkly for me. I'll be sleeping next to someone. I tend to toss and turn a lot.

The Downmat UL7 + Ridgerest piece + GG 1/8" piece weighs just 2.5oz or so more than the Xtherm, but the UL7 is a rectangular cut (as opposed to the mummy cut) so it has more room through the hips. I also prefer the vertical tubes to the horizontal. With the horizontal tubes, I feel like there is about 1" of unusable space on either side.

I was wearing the PossumDown hat, PossumDown gloves, merino tshirt, cap4 hoody and a wind jacket last night at 48 degrees and felt OK. But I could tell that at 40-45 degrees I'd need something more, such as a down/synthetic vest to feel comfortable. I plan to be on the JMT in late July. I'd guesstimate that temps around sunset will be 40-45 deg above treeline.

Layering: Merino T, Cap4 Hoody, Nano Puff Vest, Houdini (PossumDown gloves/beanie)
Sleep: Exped Downmat UL XS, Ridgerest 20"x16"(LXW), GG 1/8" 47"x20" (LXW)
Down: '13 EE Rev Quilt 30deg/20% overfill (17oz), GooseFeet (2.4oz)

I have been thinking about GooseFeet lately. The PossumDown socks nearly come up to my knee, but when I sleep I fold them down over my feet so that I've got a double layer. They are very warm. I think they'll provide similar warmth, but the allure of the GooseFeet is that they'll pack much smaller.

Edited by travis.bickle on 12/22/2012 20:10:19 MST.

Travis,

I think you are dialed in. I would stick with your sleeping pad setup because it works for you. Being able to sleep it priority one.

Can't comment on EE Rev qulit but hear good things. I'm sold on the Katabatic Gear quilts, but probably not much different.

Enjoy your trip. I will be out at the end of September working on another section of the JMT. Give us a post trip report because I'm always interested in trail/trip conditions.

Take care.

I wore the eco mesh daily and found, after it dried quickly in the evening, it proved to be a nice warming layer around camp.

A Golite windshirt is my favorite piece of gear which I use year round, had it on today. It is a great wind block and warming layer which fits easily into a pocket when not in use. I make sure I have it along on any backpacking trip.

+1 on the GooseFeet. I always have cold feet/toes in camp and sleeping, even when it's only low 50s out. People here suggested the down booties...I was skeptical since, well, it seemed a bit overkill.

I have never had such warm and toasty feet in my life! I was out a few weeks ago in mid-20s and I had no troubles at all. For a while I just thought it just might not be that cold out...but when I changed into my socks and trail runners, sure enough my toes froze. So yes, they are simply awesome and take up no room at all.

I ordered a pair of Large GooseFeet with 25% overfill today. Can't wait to try them out :)
Thanks for the recommendations, guys.

I may have to get a pillow too. D: I've got my gearlist all set up in an excel file, and I'm just amazed at how much comfort I can squeeze in while still maintaining a 7lb baseweight (even with a 2 person shelter).

I posted the updated spreadsheet in original post :D

As I'm not super familiar with wind shirts as far as how quickly they 'wet out' in constant down pouring rain, my 2 cents may not mean much, but last year on the JMT I got dumped on repeatedly and consistantly for 5 days in August. I was VERY glad I had a rain jacket and a pack cover! I have a lightweight OR rain jacket that breaths alright as long as I keep it zipped down in front and allow for air flow. In all of my years of hiking in the Sierras in August, this was the most consistant rain I have experienced, FWIW. On the plus side, the rain is nice to hike in, and I rocked some big miles because I didn't feel like sitting in camp getting rained on and bored!

Have a great hike! Maybe I'll see you out there this year.

Edited by rp3957 on 01/11/2013 12:04:59 MST.

Robert -
Yeah, that's why I decided to ultimately go with the eVent Focus LT. I'd like to be comfortable when it rains. I plan to hike in Washington/Oregon/BC this year too, so I'm sure I'll have a lot of drizzly days with the rain jacket on. I am considering bringing my umbrella in addition to the rain jacket/pack cover if there is a lot of rain expected in the forecast.