Long-Distance Gear List

With a couple of long distance multi-day hikes planned for next year (15-day JMT hike and 11-day OHT hike), I thought that I'd share my gear list for these trips. Both trips will require carrying a minimum of 9 days worth of food, so the trick will be to reduce my base weight as much as possible so as to counteract the heavy food weight. My goal is to keep the food weight down to 1.0-1.25 lbs of food per day.

ULA Catalyst Pack - 43.0 oz.
Clothing - Long Sleeve Synthetic Top - 7.62 oz.
Synthetic Underwear - 3.37 oz.
SmartWool Socks - 3.50 oz.
Marmot Gloves - .88 oz.
Marmot UL Thermawrap Jacket - 10.0 oz.
SilNylon Poncho - 6.50 oz.
Kitchen -Woodstove w/pot - 6.38 oz.
Gatorade Water Bottle - 1.25 oz.
Insulated Koozy - 1.62 oz.
Platypus 2-liter bottle - 1.38 oz.
Brunton Ti Folding Spork - .62 oz.
Miscellaneous Items - 11.0 oz.
First Aid Kit - 6.0 oz.
Shelter - Tarp - 15.12 oz.
.7 mil ground cloth - 1.50 oz.
8 MSR tent stakes - 5.0 oz.
Tent cord - 1.50 oz.
Sleeping System - Montbell Alpine #1 Sleeping Bag (15 Deg.) - 38.75 oz.
Thermarest UL 3/4 length pad - 17.62 oz.

Total Base Gear Weight - 182.61 oz./11.41 lbs.

If I carry 11 days of food at the beginning of the OHT and can average 1.25 lbs. of food per day maximum, then the food will weigh an additional 13.75 lbs. This will make my starting total pack weight 25.16 lbs.

Assumptions:
List does not include the 2.5 lb. BearVault 400 bear canister needed for the JMT.
Assumes a January OHT trip. If I do it in March, then will substitute my Marmot Atom 40 deg. bag, thus reducing base gear weight by 15.75 oz.
Some changes in specific gear related to JMT such as canister stove and fuel, since woodstoves are not allowed.

OK, let me know,
UL

If you leave in March be prepared for alot of snow and tons of snow melt. If you hike the JMT in that month you will need snowshoes, winter gear which will add to your weight significantly. Unless i am misunderstanding you and you are hiking the OHT in March. Have you done research on the JMT becauise by your list it doesn't look like you have any idea what the conditions will be. !3,000 feet up in March is still winter time.

A gear list for the JMT in March or anytime up til the beginning of June MUST include:
Crampons
Snowshoes
0 degree Sleepingbag
Down Jacket
Rain top
Rain Pants
Wool or Synthetic Hat
Gloves or Mittens
At least 2 pairs of Wool Socks(1 for hiking, 1 for sleeping) three would be better just in case
Thermal wear top and bottom
These are a must. The temperature is unlikely to climb out of the teens at night and will be blowing good. If you go without these items that early in the year you are not experienced and will be found dead somewhere in the spring thaw which on the JMT is late June and July depending on how much snow fell that year. The JMT is considered the toughest part along the PCT and add snow and ice to the mixix it is grueling. The list above is not only proof of a lack of being prepared but a reason so many hikers find themselves in deep trouble with nobody around to help. I am sorry to respond this way UL but it worries me that you would attempt such a hike in that time of year, again maybe I misunderstood the date, I hope I have.

I believe you are probably planning the JMT somehere between mid June - August. That is what your experience and the gear you have listed would tell me. The OHT trip is the March trip(or January like you stated). The way it was worded kind of made me think otherwise but you are indeed to smart for that. I raved and rambled for nothing but for good cause. There are people that plan to do such things in such times, and it is scary. Every year people go into Mount Washington Valley early spring when down on the valley fllor it is nice but when they summit they find a cold stormy place they are not prepared for and they have to get rescued or die. Even so called experienced hikers. This is the reason for my reaction and I did not mean any ill regard towards you UL, just concerned.

Snow:
My plan is to do the OHT in either January or March. The JMT is scheduled for the last half of August.
No way would I attempt the JMT in March with the gear listed above. I'm sure there are some people out there who have done the JMT in March, but that is not my plan, I assure you.

Good to hear man, I know I was mistaking the dates after thoroughly reading your post. But your right there are some fools out there who do such things. My I have seen some people planning some pretty crazy times, who have said they have all the experience they need, come to find out they have very little. August is going to be an awesome time up there. You are in for one hell of a ride, it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. Hope you bring a camera and take lots of pictures.

Between now and your trip time, you could make a backpack and save quite a bit of weight. You could make a simple stuff sack design with some outside pockets. Just a thought. I made a simple backpack like I'm talking about and it only weighs 10 oz. It would also hold the weight you're talking about. I know everyone isn't a fan of making stuff (and even less a fan of MYOG projects failing on the trail), but I love mine. Sadly, my sewing is functional only. It isn't very easy on the eyes.

hahahaha some how I have you pictured with a large lump of a pack on your back, resimbling the hunchback.... hahahaha

Oh wow, haha, I would like to think it looks a little better than that, but you're probably right.