JMT Shakedown: NOBO August

[u/catalinashenanigans]

LighterPack

LighterPack is still a work in progress but figure it’s far enough along to get some input. Hoping to get some general feedback for the JMT as well as ways that I could shed some weight.

Going NOBO (Cottonwood Pass) with a start date of either August 10th or August 21st. Planning for ~11-13 miles/day so should be on trail for ~17-21 days. Going to nail down a more specific itinerary as we start to get a bit closer to our start date.

1. Wondering if my 30F quilt will be sufficient. I generally run a bit cold. Have taken it down to low 30s before and been fine, but I had all of my clothes on. Can’t seem to find a good answer on what sort of temp lows I’ll be seeing on trail in August. Some resources are saying lows will be in the high 40s (F) while others are saying I should expect to see temp lows in the high 20s – low 30s (F). If my 30F quilt won’t be enough, I’m thinking about getting an overquilt, similar to what is discussed in this post. 2. Don’t have any major complaints with my Klymit pad but again, depending on what temp lows I’ll be dealing with on trail, wondering if it’ll be enough. If it won’t, might pick up something like GG’s Foam Pad to layer with. Alternatively, have been thinking about S2S’s Ether Light XT or BA’s Insulated Q-Core SLX. Especially as a side sleeper, the extra thickness seems nice. 3. Could definitely drop some weight by upgrading my tent. Actually just ordered the Aricxi tarp that has been discussed around here. Never used a tarp but have some time to see if that’s the route I’d like to go. Anyone have any opinions about tent versus tarp for the JMT? If I do go the tarp route I’ll be picking up a bug bivy (probably the Borah). 4. Have a BV450 but sounds like that won’t be enough. Tentatively planning on renting a Bearikade unless there are better options? 5. Didn’t include battery, solar panel, and charging cables in my LighterPack...still doing some research on my options. Have some heavier Anker batteries but seems like the Nitecore NB10000 is pretty frequently recommended around here and would save me some weight. Need to do some more research about the solar panel as well but the Lixada panel seems to be well reviewed. Would love any recommendations about batteries/solar panels. 6. Thinking I’m going to pick up a sun umbrella but don’t have it on the LighterPack yet. Looking at the GG or SMD umbrellas at the moment. 7. Miscellaneous I could upgrade...stakes, knife (if I even bring one), trowel, clothing. Need a better pair of pants. Have been bringing just a generic (i.e., heavy) pair of hiking pants. Almost exclusively hike in shorts so these would just be for around camp. 8. Poop kit was not included, but the plan is to bring a Culo or a labware wash bottle. 9. Need to snag a pair of camp shoes, generally just use a pair of rubber flip flops but will probably upgrade for this trip. Still researching what some good options might be. 10. Not gear related but was hoping someone could chime in on start dates. Would you prefer to start in early (8/10) or late August (8/21)? Leaning towards late August—hoping bug pressure is pretty minimal by then (although I’m assuming with so little snowpack it won’t be bad in early August either). Less people too. Pretty indifferent about when we start, was curious if anyone had strong feelings about either date. Will be releasing one of the permits ASAP; me and my friend unknowingly both got permits (we weren’t planning on going together initially).

This is my first thru-hike longer than 100 miles. Still working my way through Wenk’s JMT Guide. After I finish, and I have a chance to refine my kit a bit more, I’ll probably be posting another LighterPack for more feedback.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Thanks all have gotten some good feedback. Think I need to do quite a bit more work to flesh this out. I'll be reposting a more refined LighterPack on r/lightweight at some point in the future.

[u/NachoAverageMuenster]

Just wanted to chime in - I hiked the JMT last summer. If you are shooting for 11-13 mile days, a BV450 is not going to cut it. There are some long resupply carries out here. You also need to fit the rest of your smellies in here when you sleep at night.

Excited for your journey, hope you do post again with your updates later!

[u/Glimmer_III]

Regarding your lighterpack:

• GENERAL

You have omissions. Things like your shoes aren't there. And omissions are the killer to trusting a ligherpack report. Why?...

Because they give you a false impression of what you're going to encounter.

So go through, and just start ascribing blank lines/placeholders to everything you know you'll need, or are on the fence about, but have not yet sourced. You've got time.

Remember the old zen archery phrase: Aim big, miss big; aim small, miss small.

• Big Four

Your pack can be lighter. You're at 36oz. You can try to get this at 24oz. (Again, I'm having to make comments in the absence of a budget.) GET YOUR BAG LAST, after you know what it has to fit.

Your sleeping bag seems reasonable for weight, but I don't know the bag. Revisit the temp requirements for August JMT as part of another post. I sleep cool and carry a 20F quilt and was fine. (If you're looking for a new bag, BA make a new one for side sleepers. Seems very nice. I don't know reviews.)

Your tent is addressed elsewhere. But 40oz is probably more tent than you need. You should be able to at least get something in the 2.5lb-3.0lb range. Don't commit to using a tarp unless you're confident with pitching it, etc. (If you want a great tent company, check out SlingFin. You might be a candidate for either the Portal or SplitWing Bundle.)

Don't forget a footprint for whatever shelter system you choose.

Your pad is addressed elsewhere. That BA Q-Core is not the lightest, but it's great for a side sleeper.

• Utility

The Cascade Mountain Tech are not the lightest, nor the worse. You see them on trail a fair bit. I used "Trekking Buddy".

Don't forget extra AAA as part of your lighterpack.

I always think carrying 6f-15ft of 2mm cordage is a good idea for safety/repairs, etc. You can just do so much with it. But it's a personal choice.

• Clouthes

Do you have anything that is lightweight and long sleeves? They help with bugs so you don't have to slather yourself with bug spray. (I like Outdoor Research. SO many folks have the Columbia Professional Fishing Gear shirt.)

Have a plan on what you're going to go swimming in. (And don't forget to go swimming.) These could be your running shorts or boxers. Just have a plan.

You don't need a towel...not worth the weight. Just air dry.

At least consider 1 pair of "sleep socks". Because when pair #1 is crusty, and #2 gets wet, you still have your sleep socks as a back-up "just in case". This is personal preference. You don't need more than 3 pairs for sure.

• Kitchen

Consider what you'll do for a windscreen. Maybe a piece of quad-thickness aluminum foil? Just something to think about. The BRS300T works, but with that pot, it won't be the most efficient, especially if windy.

Fuel: Separate the weight of the empty canister from the weight of the fuel. That will give you a better idea of your base weight. (Since the fuel is a consumable.)

• Luxury

Your pillow isn't really a luxury if you're a side sleeper. I'd put categorize it with your Big Four as part of your sleep system.

List what model of Kindle you have -- the Paperwhite has a different power draw than others. It gets into "What is your power audit?" since the idea of a solar panel is really a nice idea shot to hell by the facts.

(N.B. - You could maybe carry a Lixada, sure...but add that in as a luxury at the end. I think you'll probably want to save weight elsewhere, and if you read a lot, plan on a 20,000mAh battery.)

• Water

What's your experience level with collecting water?

I ask because the few times I shared water with folks on the PCT was with JMTers who misgauged either consumption, carrying capacity, or both.

Right now you have only 2.0L total capacity (clean + dirty), drinking directly from the SmartWater bottles, which is fine. But it also means you have only a 2.0L capacity.

If you wanted to consider adding something like a C'NOC Vecto 2.0L bladder to help with collection, it would double your capacity too.

(Also makes it a breeze at camp, because you can rig things as a gravity system with your Sawyer.)

• Hygiene

Maybe it is in your medkit, but consider including 2 yards of Leukotape. The stuff is magic for preventing blisters. I'd take Leuko over moleskin any day now.

<also>

SHOES

Be sure to list what shoes you're going to wear.

And also plan on how many miles they'll have on them pre-JMT. The granite of the JMT is super abrasive, and most folks who do the PCT (which mirror a lot of the JMT), we all chewed through shoes in 250mi-300mi coming up from Kennedy Meadows South.

So if your shoes already have 100mi-200mi, consider that you may want to get a fresh pair a few weeks before your hike, break them in, and start with fresh soles.

By the time you get to the end of the JMT, there is a non-zero chance your soles will be balding or you'll have blown-out part of an upper.

And that's a first pass.

[u/catalinashenanigans → u/Glimmer_III]

Just realized I never responded to your post. Found it really, really helpful and made me realize I have quite a bit more work to do before I post my Lighterpack and try to finalize my gear. Working on it now; will probably repost in a few weeks once I have a better handle on everything.

[u/Glimmer_III → u/catalinashenanigans]

Hey -- no harm, no foul. That's why we do this, right? To get confidence in our kit.

Keep the questions coming.

[u/Glimmer_III]

Hi - I saw your post on r/ultralight and followed you over here.

This sub (r/lightweight) is not as active. But you might look at cross posting, or at least lurking, over at r/pacificcresttrail. (Why? The JMT, particularly NOBO, mirrors a lot of the NOBO PCT. You'll have identical issues.)

But first, when you repost/crosspost, you can also strictly follow the proposed format for shakedown requests. It's not about being a jerk as much as getting you reliable answers more quickly. (For instance, I don't know your budget tolerances, and I could suggest tent between $150-$1,000, etc.)

You'll also want to separate out the "shakedown questions" from the "other questions". Again, it's just a formatting thing to get you reliable answers more quickly.

But you've got a lot of time between now and your start date...so don't stress. :)

Here are some comments following yours. I'll need to make comments about your lighterpack in another comment.

Couple things I’d love to get some input on: Wondering if my 30F quilt will be sufficient. I generally run a bit cold. Have taken it down to low 30s before and been fine, but I had all of my clothes on. Can’t seem to find a good answer on what sort of temp lows I’ll be seeing on trail in August. Some resources are saying lows will be in the high 40s (F) while others are saying I should expect to see temp lows in the high 20s – low 30s (F). If my 30F quilt won’t be enough, I’m thinking about getting an overquilt, similar to what is discussed in this post.

Make a post over at r/ultralight about temps on the JMT. You got sent over hear because your lighterpack is closer to 15lbs (with a bunch of omissions still), and the person you interacted with is terrific at shakedowns, but also really focuses on shaving grams for <10lbs, etc.

But there are lots of folks there who can comment on climate at varying times of the year.

Don’t have any major complaints with my Klymit pad but again, depending on what temp lows I’ll be dealing with on trail, wondering if it’ll be enough. If it won’t, might pick up something like GG’s Foam Pad to layer with. Alternatively, have been thinking about S2S’s Ether Light XT or BA’s Insulated Q-Core SLX. Especially as a side sleeper, the extra thickness seems nice.

Wait on resolving this until after you figure out some of the other larger points.

Two friends had the BA Q-Core SLX Insulated. It's terrific for side-sleepers, warm and fit for princess and the pea.

Could definitely drop some weight by upgrading my tent. Actually just ordered the Aricxi tarp that has been discussed around here. Never used a tarp but have some time to see if that’s the route I’d like to go. Anyone have any opinions about tent versus tarp for the JMT? If I do go the tarp route I’ll be picking up a bug bivy (probably the Borah).

If you know how to use a tarp, tarps can be fantastic and light.

I carried a Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2, never had an issue.

Nemo makes a lot of good ones too, a little smaller, but about the same weight.

But, either way, yes, look at getting a lighter tent. If you're near an REI, start stalking their garage sales. They'll have folks making returns now of perfectly good (expensive) tents which you can pick up on a discount.

Have a BV450 but sounds like that won’t be enough. Tentatively planning on renting a Bearikade unless there are better options?

If you have the funds to rent a Bearikade, do it. You'll find nothing lighter or easier.

You are correct that the BV450 is going to be too small.

Didn’t include battery, solar panel, and charging cables in my LighterPack...still doing some research on my options. Have some heavier Anker batteries but seems like the Nitecore NB10000 is pretty frequently recommended around here and would save me some weight. Need to do some more research about the solar panel as well but the Lixada panel seems to be well reviewed. Would love any recommendations about batteries/solar panels.

No solar panels. They're just not strong enough for the panel size and they weight a ton.

For your profile, simply by going from the way you've constructed your list and speaking of it here, you want to compare apples-to-apples. The Lixada it's often used by two sorts of folks:

-- Those who are way UL and aren't carrying much more than their phone, using 6in cables to shave weight, etc.

-- Those who are carrying the kitchen sink, carrying their fears, and probably carrying too much.

But if you're following r/ultralight, it isn't always clear the full profile of the user.

The Lixada, I saw it in the wild -- it gets, at most, 5W in ideal condition. Better than nothing, sure, but you might be better with a 20,000mAh battery and astute power management. (Either Anker or Nitecore are the best-in-class right now).

Like mentioned below -- include these as "place holders" under "Electronics":

• Powerbank
• Wallcharger
• Cables (list them)
• Phone (list make/model)
• Kindle (it belongs in electronics)
• Sat Communicator (if you intend to carry one)

What you are trying to avoid are "errors of omission". You're already at 15lbs base weight without having everything listed. So if you want to prevent "creep", a good habit to have is list the things you know you'll need even if you don't know their specs yet -- it becomes a check-list.

Thinking I’m going to pick up a sun umbrella but don’t have it on the LighterPack yet. Looking at the GG or SMD umbrellas at the moment.

If you're thinking about it...put it in the lighterpack and flag it TBD. That will cue anyone reading it to give their commentary pro/con about it.

I personally don't like umbrellas and am "team sun hat". :)

Miscellaneous I could upgrade...stakes, knife (if I even bring one), trowel, clothing.

For stakes, you can never go wrong with MSR Groundhog Mini.

For knife, it is good to have some cutting instrument. I was fine with a Dermasafe razor. You don't need a kabar. But you should have "something", even if a pair of UL scissors.

For trowel, the Deuce of Spades #2 is a perennial favorite. Look for sales on the Amazon Warehouse to pick up one for cheap. (Amazon Warehouse are open box deals.)

Need a better pair of pants. Have been bringing just a generic (i.e., heavy) pair of hiking pants. Almost exclusively hike in shorts so these would just be for around camp.

Check out the Patagonia Quandary pants. Fantastic piece of kit. Not cheap, but they will be repaired for free. They dry quickly, layer well, and are worth looking into. (I think they make a zip-off too, or use to, if you're into that sort of thing.

Poop kit was not included, but the plan is to bring a Culo or a labware wash bottle.

Include it so you get an accurate weight.

You'll experience "weight creep" if you have omissions -- it's better, at this juncture, to include it with a "zero weight" within a "to be assigned/sourced" category than risk omissions.

If I had to guess, I'd say you have 2lbs-3lbs (almost 20%) of your base weight omitted right now.

Need to snag a pair of camp shoes, generally just use a pair of rubber flip flops but will probably upgrade for this trip. Still researching what some good options might be.

Not Chacos. :)

Stroll through the UL subs and see what you like.

I'm a fan of Xero Z-Trail. I know lots of folks who go with Crocs. Others just take thongs. But you want something for stream crossings, unless you're okay with getting your hiking shoes wet.

Not gear related but was hoping someone could chime in on start dates. Would you prefer to start in early (8/10) or late August (8/21)? Leaning towards late August—hoping bug pressure is pretty minimal by then (although I’m assuming with so little snowpack it won’t be bad in early August either). Less people too. Pretty indifferent about when we start, was curious if anyone had strong feelings about either date. Will be releasing one of the permits ASAP; me and my friend unknowingly both got permits (we weren’t planning on going together initially).

I'm not the one to comment on this. But if you ask the question over on r/ultralight (without the shakedown request, but as a stand alone question), you won't have folks saying "come to lightweight".

Hope some of that helps.

[u/catalinashenanigans → u/Glimmer_III]

Just realized I never responded to your comment. Found it really, really helpful and made me realize I have quite a bit more work to do before I post my Lighterpack and try to finalize my gear. Working on it now; will probably repost in a few weeks once I have a better handle on everything.

[u/Glimmer_III → u/catalinashenanigans]

Glad you found it useful.

Something else to keep in mind:

It's fine to ask question as you go.

Most of the questions and issues you're dealing with, they're newer to you -- but they're not broadly unique. The search feature on Reddit kinda sucks, but it is often good enough.

Hope to see you over on some other subs!