Gear List

Why is this so hard?

Gear has been so much harder then I thought it would be.  We have packed for this exact trip 4 years ago. Simple, just bring the same things right? Except last time we were cold, so we need a different sleep system. And my pack straps were just a little too low (not an adjustable height pack).  John wants to bring more camera stuff and our head lamps are now rechargeable (less waste!) so that means bringing a larger backup battery. We also panic bought a new tent because it was a pound lighter then our beloved Cooper Spur.

I thought our days getting used to the altitude would be full of day hikes and relaxing with friends. Wrong. Because we chose to drive we brought everything we thought we wanted gear wise and chose not to edit before leaving. Our first day was errands (buying food & mailing food) and looking at my gear. Day two was looking at John’s gear and trying to shove all of my gear into my new pack. Day three is taking everything back out and editing it back down again. For some reason, my new pack is much harder to pack than my old one. We tried 2 different stuff sacks and 3 ways of packing it before going with the “just shove the sleeping bag in the bottom” method.  

  

Our first attempt was not pleasant- 18 lb base weight for me and a staggering 30 lbs for John. Even if John wanted to carry 40 some pounds, his new pack is not rated for that much weight.

Somethings that didn’t make the cut

• Moisturizer & extra sunscreen (but keeping the face sunscreen)
• Silk liner bag
• Foldable plates
• Sit pads (I’m still on the fence here)
• Camp shoes (for John, I still need mine)
• Tripod
• Microphones for the GoPro
• Bear Can (John really wanted to try this out – but it’s just too heavy)
• Paper guide book pages & map (I took pictures & have FarOut)

Our final result

Lighterpack Lists: John’s list     Amanda’s list

• Pack – Gossamer Gear Mariposa and ULA Circuit
• Tent – ZPacks Duplex
• Amanda Sleep system -Big Agnes Q core SLX pad, thin closed cell insulating pad, Sea to Summit pillow, REI Sub Kilo sleeping bag, and homemade fleece liner
• John Sleep system – REI Flash All Season pad, REI Magma quilt, Sea to Summit warming liner, Sea to Summit pillow
• Stove & pot – Pocket Rocket and titanium pot
• Water filter – Katadyn BeFree with a Hydrapak reservoir 
• Clothes – a sun protective layer to hike in, a base layer, a puffy, gloves, rain jacket & pants
• Charging stuff – one Anker 20000 and one Nitecore 10000, plus double USB C plugs
• Toiletries, first aid kit and repair kit
• Ursacks with Smelly Proof Bags
• The large tripod & extra camera gear

Gear Picture

In the end our packs without food and water are 16.5 lbs for me (I have the GoPro and my phone in a fanny pack) and 20 lbs for John. Fingers crossed I don’t miss my sit pad that much.