This post is part three of a three-part series that I’m putting out in the weeks before our trip detailing the trail, our food/resupply strategy, and our gear. If you missed my latest JMT post about what food we’re bringing you can read that here. And to learn more about our plan and the trail in general you can check out my first post here.
It’s less than two weeks before our JMT hike and I’m considering buying a new backpack. Not seriously, but like, kind of seriously. The realization that lead me down the new backpack buying rabbit hole was the discovery that my base weight for the JMT would be 13 lbs, add to that my bear canister and I’m looking at a whopping 15.5 lbs before food, water, or stove fuel. This weight, 13 lbs runs around and around my head and I start to look at where I can shave weight from my pack to get it down from 13 lbs to 12 lbs, because clearly one pound is going to be the difference between having fun on the JMT and having a terrible time. Panicked trip logic am-i-right?
Intellectually I know that most people carry much more weight on the JMT, that the average is closer to 18-20 lbs before fuel and water and that my pack weight still puts me in the “light weight backpacking” category. But deep down, I covet the idea of being called an ultralight backpacker, with a sleek 10-12 lb base weight, dancing up mountains like a majestic goat. Intellectually I know that people have been hiking the JMT, PCT, and AT with much heavier bags, wool pants, and leather boots and that they made out just fine. Finally my intellectual brain wins out of my terrified gram-counting brain and I stop looking at new backpacks. For now.
What’s In a Bag:
My backpacking style would best be described as ‘comfort ultralight,’ since at 13 lbs for a standard trip (a bear canister is not required for the majority of the trips I take, but on the JMT and sections of the PCT it’s mandatory*), I fall just outside of the ultralight classification which is generally sub 12lbs. This means that I have chosen to minimize my gear, remove duplicate items, and buy or make lighter gear where time and/or money permit, but I still have all the comforts of a standard backpacking set up. I still have a stove, a freestanding tent, a pillow, and an inflatable sleeping pad – all items which true ultralight backpackers eschew, but I have chosen to bring for my own sanity and comfort. Click this link for a detailed breakdown of my gear: lighterpack.com.
*Why is a bear canister mandatory? Because people are garbage. Or rather, people have a lot of garbage, and food, and items that smell like food, which they bring into the backcountry and then don’t know how to store properly – which in this case means out of the reach of bears. Years of people leaving their food in places where the bears and other critters can get it it has taught these animals that people mean food, food that is much more delicious and easier to get than foraging for berries or hunting. As a result bears and humans have had an increasing number of interactions. So in areas where these interactions are most common the Forest Service and several National Parks – the most notable being Yosemite – have decided that a bear canister is a mandatory piece of equipment to be carried any time you’ll be out overnight.
What Isn’t In a Bag:
The observant among you may have noticed that my bag is conspicuously absent of several items. One of the great joys in hiking with a partner, is that ability to share gear. While I carry a larger portion of the tent weight, my hiking buddy and boyfriend will be carrying our stove, pot, and fuel canister. Where I will be carrying a rechargeable battery for our various electronic items, he will be carrying a small solar panel from which we can recharge the rechargeable battery. Cool, eh?
Other things I don’t carry, and I frankly don’t recomend for those looking to keep their back weigh down are – Physical books (use the Kindle app on your phone instead), camp chairs (use a square of foam and a rock), complex cooking set up (spoon + bowl = all you need), stuff sacks for everything (your bag is a stuff sack), deodorant, makeup, hairbrush etc (just be ferral)
What’s On A Body:
When calculating one’s base weight, there are a few things that you can leave out – namely everything that’s either going to be worn on your body (clothes, shoes, etc), or carried in your hands (really, this is just trekking poles). When selecting clothing for a thru hike or even just a weekend backpacking trip, functionality, fit, and look should be considered in that order with style coming in last. For me I’ll be wearing the following:
Nike Pro 5″ Women’s Compression Shorts – Synthetic compressions shorts are great because they’re quick to dry, don’t ride up or down, and greatly reduce the likelihood of painful chafe. They also accentuate your sexy hiker legs. True story.
Old Navy Go-Dry Mesh Running Tee – T-shirts over tank tops reduce the chance of pack rub and sunburn on your shoulders, and a nice light color won’t absorb heat from the sun. I also don’t feel the need to break the bank buying a fancy trekking shirt from a company like Patagonia since they’re typically made of the same material as cheaper shirts. Personal fit and synthetic material are the biggest concerns.
Exoficcio Give-N-Go Bikini Brief – Under-doodles are actually a big consideration. Again personal fit and synthetic are the biggest concerns. You really don’t want to be dealing with a wedgie all day when you’re trying to hike 15 miles over rough terrain.
Bra – I bought just a cheap Target yoga bra that’s cute, fast drying, and fits. Again, I don’t really see the need to shell out $60 for a bra from an outdoor retailer when I can find something that works just as well for $14 and has lasted me years.
Altra Lone Peak 3.5’s – I love these shoes, and they’re incredibly popular with the trail running and thru hiking community. Even if they look weirdly like clown shoes. However, your shoes are probably the most important piece of gear you’ll buy. Blisters, crammed toes, and poor fit can ruin or possibly end your hike. It’s worth finding what works for you.
Injinji Run Midweight Mini-Crew Socks – Look, toe socks are pretty universally ugly. They just are. BUT! They prevent blisters like a dream, and come in a variety of thicknesses – I opt for the mini-crew in midweight because they’re not too thick (which leads to blisters) and they are tall enough that I don’t have to worry about them slipping into my shoes.
Black Diamond Distance Cork Z-Poles – Sadly, BD stopped making these (lame, I know because the cord was awesome). But they have similar models. These are great because they fold up small, and unlike the carbon fiber models, I’m not afraid of snapping them.
Oiselle Runner Trucker Hat – Light weight, folds up, covers well, good ventilation, has a cool pic from a female artist on it. What else could you need?
Polarized Sunglasses – Cheap, ship from amazon so they’re easy to replace, polarized, come in lots of different colors. Cheap (this one is worth mentioning twice since mine always get destroyed after a season).
If you have specific questions about gear (or just want to say ‘hi’) feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll try and get back to you before we head out on our trip.