What's Not in My Pack

I still have more work to do...here's where I'm at after the first go round.

Eliminate:
1 Pen
Spare headlamp battery
Shovel Handle
Weight Savings: 4.2 OZ

Changes:
Fast Fly Tent (lighter than my Nemo Bivy)
New Ultralight Thermarest
Replace Check Card and ID with a couple twentys
Replace detailed maps with SHTA pocket maps
New lighter SteriPen
Weight Savings: 27.1 OZ
Cost: $220 (to replace thermarest and SteriPen...is it worth it?)

I've thought about using a ridge rest instead of my Thermarest. The first half of last summer I went ridge rest instead of Thermarest, but developed back pain. Today my back doesn't hurt at all (which is new for me) and I'd like to keep it that way. The new Thermarest is my only option there.

Mosquitoes shouldn't be too bad up there in May, so I'm comfortable with the Fast Fly Tent as far as that goes. My only concern is that if its still pretty wet up there, I might have some muddy nights. This would be bad with a down sleeping bag. Still, I think it's well worth the risk and I can always use leaves and the such for added protection (even with a 25 mile day, I'll still have plenty of downtime to make camp).

Considering the cost of my trip is only food (less than a hundo) and travel (not going far), an extra $220 would put it around the same cost as my 5 day Rocky Mountain trip from last year, so I think I can justify it. Plus getting new gear is sweet!

31.3 OZ savings doesn't get me under my goal, but its pretty damn close. My next options include:

1. Ligher Sleeping Options
2. Pack Modification (maybe get 3 or 4 ounces?)
3. Lighter Fleece
4. Lighter rain gear
5. No Cell Phone
6. No Journal
7. Lighter cooking pot
8. Eliminate hydro bladder or water bottle
9. Reduce contents of 1st Aid Kit
10. Leave the shovel
11. Lighter stopwatch
12. Leave troop flag

Sleeping Bag

I already have an ultralight 3-season bag, weighing 30.3 ounces. That being said, the only thing I have that is heavier is my tent. I could go with a sleeping bag liner (11.6 oz), but then I would surely need to pack some additional wicking clothes for sleeping. The weight savings drops tremendously once that is taken into account and I'm not interested in freezing each night. No change.

Pack Modification

This won't get me much, but doesn't hurt to give it a go. I looked into other packs, and there just isn't anything lighter. I'm already using a day pack for a 10 day trip. Modify away!

Lighter Fleece

An Internet search shows that most clothing companies don't list the weight of their shirts. I think I'll be taking my scale to the store to see what I can find. Give it a go.

Lighter Rain Gear

Just over a year ago I purchased the lightest rain jacket/pants combo out there. My options here include taking a light weight poncho or a garbage bag. I'm on a tight schedule and I can't afford to sit out during the rain. Without any spare pants, I wonder if the poncho can give me adequate protection when hiking in the rain. Look into it.

No Cell Phone

I love this idea because I'm afriad that if I have it with me, I'll be tempted to turn it on. Still, on a solo trip where of this length, it would be dumb of me to leave it behind. No go.

No Journal

Just me and my thoughts for ten days. I'm bringing my journal, it's as essential as my pack. No go.

Lighter Cooking Pot

I just bought this awesome pot and there was one that was about an ounce lighter and cost an additional $40. This pot is also supposed to use less fuel than the more expensive and lighter titanium pot. I don't know if it's true, but I know the price was a fact. I already made this decision. No go.

Eliminate Hydro Bladder or Water Bottle

I bought a new platypus hydro bladder which is much lighter than any other brand I have seen. The downfall? The SteriPen doesn't work with it. This necessitates me to bring both the bottle and the bladder or to change my bladder (adding weight) or change my purification plan. No go.

Reduce Contents of 1st Aid Kit

I've looked at my kit about a hundred times. 101 won't hurt. Look into it.

Leave the Shovel

Each SHT campsite has a latreen. Still, if some trail side emergency happens, it will be nice to have. Also, I will want to dig a cathole for dirty water after bathing, etc. The shovel is just a must when it comes to LNT. I more than cut the weight of it in half by leaving the handle behind though! No go.

Lighter Stopwatch

I'm crazy, but I don't think I'm up for spending more than a $1 to save a fraction of an ounce. No go.

Leave the Troop Flag

Not an essential piece of gear, but at 1.1 ounces it's going to make a sweet "prize" that will encourage advancement and backpacking to one of my Scouts. No go.

So, my things to look into include:

1. Modify Pack
2. Find a lighter fleece
3. Evaluate Rain Gear options
4. Investigate 1st Aid Kit