Cutting weight

[Broken arrow]

Been looking over my spread sheet and gear already dropped 6 oz from my survival/first aid kit. (Just extra band aids and such) Not sure where else I can drop weight without buying lighter stuff or not having enough clothes. Was thinking I could take just 2 unopened MH meals and put the rest in ziplock bags rinsing and reusing the first 2 bags. Anyone else do this? Thought about cutting the extra material from my waist belt and shoulder straps but don't want to hurt the value if I decide to upgrade packs. Planning to use baking soda as both tooth paste and wind indicator to save a little weight and space. I can post a gear list if needed. 10 day bivy/spike. Time will be 2nd and 3rd week of the Co season hunting pretty much right on the the divide west past Aspen.
Thanks

[slim9300]

The easiest way to save weight is taking only what is necessary to survive for clothing and buying better gear.

Everyone always takes extra pants. I feel like this is pointless. I take only the pants I wear in and my rain pants. I'll change my pants when I get to the truck with my elk. Just a tip.

What does your pack weigh for 10 days without water? Why don't you post up your list.

[dotman]

If you come to the seminar on Feb 23rd bring your list.

[slim9300]

Here is my list. I have some fine tuning to go in terms of food and snacks but this is everything that is on my body minus my boots, clothes and bow for a 10 day hunt. I normally carry in about 60 ounces of water when I know where I am going. Also, I normally give my partner my bivy and air pillow to carry since we share the MegaTarp. That's another 11 ounce savings.

Backpacking Items in Ounces

Kifaru Timberline w/ aluminum stays, belt pocket & standard lid - 97.0
Camelbak 100 Oz. hydration reservoir - 9.3
MSR Dromedary Bag (10 liter) - 4.7
Kifaru MegaTarp w/ MSR reflective guy lines & MSR stakes (14) - 33.3
TiGoat Raven Omni Bivy w/ bug mesh - 8.6
Marmot Helium sleeping bag w/ 10L Uberlight DrySack (15* / long) - 37
Sea to Summit silk / cotton bag liner - 6.0
Exped UL Air Pillow (Large) - 2.18
Exped SynMat UL 7 w/ patch kit (Medium w/ seam sealer lines) - 17.9
JetBoil SOL w/ 110g fuel canister & base support - 20.3
Long Titanium Spoon - 1.78
iPhone 5 w/ case - 4.48
Caribou Gear “The Carnivore Meat Bags” - 11.7
SPOT Tracking Device w/ lithium batteries - 7.38
Garmin Rino 530hcx w/ lithium pack & extra lithium battery pack - 14.54
Silva Compass - 2.74
Pentax WG-1 digital camera & mini flex tripod - 7.42
Nikon Monarch 10x42 Binos w/ Sitka Bino Bivy - 31.8
Nikon 880 Rangefinder - 8.7
Eye glasses & hard case - 4.88

Kuiu light-weight Merino wool crew, bottoms & gator (Large) - 14.1
Kuiu mid-weight Merino wool 1/4 zip shirts (X-Large) - 12.2
Kuiu SuperDown w/ hood (XL) - 11
Kuiu Chugach Rain Jacket and Pants (Large) - 31.8
SmartWool Hiker socks (2 pairs), UA beany & thin gloves - 10.0
Granite Gear 18L Uberlight DrySacks (4) - 2.96

Sawvivor 15" saw w/ bone and wood blades - 9.51
Gerber Gator knife & Havalon Piranta knife w/ 4 extra blade - 8.23
Allen wrenches (bow specific) - 1.22
Zebralight H600w XM-L w/ 16850 battery - 3.76
Large zipties (8) - 0.45
Mountain House dehydrated meals (10 @ 5.14 oz. average) - 51.4
Ritz SC&O Toasted Chips - 8.6
Instant Oatmeal packets (18 @ 1.72 oz.) - 30.96
PB/B/N Bagel Sandwiches (8) - 36.16
Snacks - Fruit Leather (16), PB crackers (8), trail mix (2 oz.), candy - 33.12
Slick Trick 100 grain Standard Broadheads (3) - 1.27
Crystal Light Packets (8) - 1.5
Dyneema IronWire cord (50' of orange) - 1.27
1-mil garbage bag (1) - 1.76
Cow calls, reeds & tube - 7.75
Camo face paint - 1.9
Flagging (20') - 0.3
Large Scent-A-Way field wipes (12) - 9.81
Optics lens cloth - 0.27
Small roll duct tape - 0.75
Toilet paper (ie. paper towels) - 2.5
First aid Kit (blister medic, superglue, pills, lighter, wet tinder, etc.) - 8.0
Scent-free deotorant - 3.0
Toothbrush & toothpaste - 1.5
Pristine Water Treatment Drops - 1.8
1/2 roll of folded paper towel (for drying boots) - 3.5
Wind checker - 1.01
Extra Lithium batteries (AA - 4 & 16850 battery w/ case) - 4.4
New Balance Minimus Trail Shoes - 10.0
Black Diamond Carbon Z-Lite Trekking Poles - 10.5

Total: 41.81 lbs.

[ElkNut1]

Slim, great list there bud! I agree 100% on guys taking too much clothing, it's bulky & adds weight, no need for it! Actually I would not have the trekking poles or the trail shoes either, that would reduce wt for me. Too, where do you get 4 elk bags that weigh in at just over 11oz for all 4 that are any good? But use what works for you! Thanks.

ElkNut1

[cnelk]

That's a great list.
If you want to cut weight, Id look at the heaviest items first.

I would exchange the bagels for tortillas. Just as much carbs, but lighter and pack better.
Add some honey for sweetener on them

Snacks - make some jerky instead of packing crackers/candy.

I didn't see any eating utensils?


iPhone?
Your SPOT will send messages to let people know you're ok.

Dehydrate your baby wipes and then add water to them in the field when needed.

I agree with Paul about the trekking poles and shoes

[Broken arrow]

Dotman I'm planning to be there and I will bring my list.
Minus food, calls,my bow, and a few misc i still need to get I'm at 37lbs that includes all my clothes it is still weight to carry even if I'm wearing it so I count it.
I'm hoping I can get it around 50lbs for 10 days.
I'll try and get my list posted later today.

[pointysticks]

that is a fantastic list!!! dang. makes me feel like a knucklehead in my approach. i think my last trip, everything strapped on my pack. i was just shy of 70!! i have vastly improved my tent, bag and pad since. i took a car camping sleep pad because i was cheap..

i am gonna mimic that list. thanks slim.

i have a 50 miler to seek virgin trout in the Sierras coming up. no hunting gear will greatly reduce weight i'll probably still bring my binos..and a small axe. we are staying for awhile.

[>>>---WW---->]

Slim gave you a pretty dang good pack list. But I could even take a few pounds off of that. Here are a few suggestions, take it or leave it.

Things you could do without:

Trekking poles - 10.5 oz. You can always cut walking sticks if you need them.

Camp shoes - 10.0 oz. Get some Crocks. They weigh hardly nothing.

Paper towels- 3.5 oz. - Try a Sham-Wow like you see on TV. Has many uses and is reusable.

Face paint 1.9 oz. Really no need for it. But if it makes you feel better, what the heck. No biggy either way!

Pillow 2.8 oz. Put your clothes or jacket in your compression bag and use that in place on the pillow.

Sleeping mat- 17.9 oz????? Seems awful heavy

Jet Boil 20.3 oz. Great stove but way too heavy. Try a Whisper Lite or alcohol stove. The Jet Boil may be faster but what is a couple of minutes quicker boil time compared to the weight savings.

You can probably cut quite a bit off the clothes as well.

[pointysticks]

i'm thinking Slim is using the paper towels also as "mountain money"..toilet paper.

that shamwow would not recover from that use

great stuff WW..my jetboil is heavy. i have the old one.

[dotman]

Slim gave you a pretty dang good pack list. But I could even take a few pounds off of that. Here are a few suggestions, take it or leave it.

Things you could do without:

Trekking poles - 10.5 oz. You can always cut walking sticks if you need them.

Camp shoes - 10.0 oz. Get some Crocks. They weigh hardly nothing.

Paper towels- 3.5 oz. - Try a Sham-Wow like you see on TV. Has many uses and is reusable.

Face paint 1.9 oz. Really no need for it. But if it makes you feel better, what the heck. No biggy either way!

Pillow 2.8 oz. Put your clothes or jacket in your compression bag and use that in place on the pillow.

Sleeping mat- 17.9 oz????? Seems awful heavy

Jet Boil 20.3 oz. Great stove but way too heavy. Try a Whisper Lite or alcohol stove. The Jet Boil may be faster but what is a couple of minutes quicker boil time compared to the weight savings.

You can probably cut quite a bit off the clothes as well.

Hmm, my Crocs weigh 14oz, so that adds weight over Slim . Trekking poles also double as shelter poles, probably weigh less then most 4 man pole setups. My pocket rocket weighs 3oz but add another 12oz for fuel so 15oz, then add my cup/ pot and spork and your right back at the jetboil weight. Z-light foam pad is 14oz, my airpad is 16oz but will weigh a little more once seam sealing strips are laid.


So I would bet mostly the only weigh diff totals around 4 or 5oz once you add up all of your systems that are covered by Slims. Also trekking poles add no extra weight if they are being used

[>>>---WW---->]

All just suggestions. So it all boils down to what do you think you can do without the most.

[slim9300]

Slim, great list there bud! I agree 100% on guys taking too much clothing, it's bulky & adds weight, no need for it! Actually I would not have the trekking poles or the trail shoes either, that would reduce wt for me. Too, where do you get 4 elk bags that weigh in at just over 11oz for all 4 that are any good? But use what works for you! Thanks.

ElkNut1

Caribou bags are the best bags I have ever used. Tough and 100% keep the flies and bees out. Keep in mind they are only designed for boned out meat. They are about 1/4 the size of your current bags so that's how they are so light.

Trekking poles also double as my tent poles so it would be kind of hard to eliminate them. I don't like cutting branches for tent poles.

The shoes are a luxury item. Surely not needed. My gear is so light that taking them is no big deal and makes river/large creek crossings really nice. Plus, getting out of my boots in camp is another great thing.

[slim9300]

That's a great list.
If you want to cut weight, Id look at the heaviest items first.

I would exchange the bagels for tortillas. Just as much carbs, but lighter and pack better.
Add some honey for sweetener on them

Snacks - make some jerky instead of packing crackers/candy.

I didn't see any eating utensils?


iPhone?
Your SPOT will send messages to let people know you're ok.

Dehydrate your baby wipes and then add water to them in the field when needed.

I agree with Paul about the trekking poles and shoes

The baby wipes are a great idea.

The food I take is not ultralight. I have been down that road and its not going to happen again. I only take what I like to eat or I simply won't eat in the backcountry.

There is a titanium spoon listed.

iPhone is another luxury item. I never have cell service anyways. I honestly use it as my stand alone GPS and the Garmin mainly for communication only. The screen on my iPhone puts the Garmin to shame. I also have pre-stored aerial photos (along with USGS Topos) on my GPS app that are priceless for me in the field.

[slim9300]

Slim gave you a pretty dang good pack list. But I could even take a few pounds off of that. Here are a few suggestions, take it or leave it.

Things you could do without:

Trekking poles - 10.5 oz. You can always cut walking sticks if you need them.

Camp shoes - 10.0 oz. Get some Crocks. They weigh hardly nothing.

Paper towels- 3.5 oz. - Try a Sham-Wow like you see on TV. Has many uses and is reusable.

Face paint 1.9 oz. Really no need for it. But if it makes you feel better, what the heck. No biggy either way!

Pillow 2.8 oz. Put your clothes or jacket in your compression bag and use that in place on the pillow.

Sleeping mat- 17.9 oz????? Seems awful heavy

Jet Boil 20.3 oz. Great stove but way too heavy. Try a Whisper Lite or alcohol stove. The Jet Boil may be faster but what is a couple of minutes quicker boil time compared to the weight savings.

You can probably cut quite a bit off the clothes as well.

As stated by Dotman. Crocks are actually 4 ounces heavier.

I wipe with paper towels. I know that makes some people cringe.

I'm really white and my face stands out like a sore thumb. I killed both elk last year without face paint but I like to have it. Certainly not a necessity.

I can't sleep without an air pillow. I have tried.

My pad is one of the lightest on the planet for being an air mat. The idea of sleeping on foam makes me want to never go backpacking.

That 20.3 ounces for the stove includes enough fuel for 10 days of meals. Show me another stove that can do the same while being 3+ ounces lighter, and I'll switch. Plus, I can boil water in 2 minutes at 8k. That's damn fast.

[Herb]

I love trek poles packing in and out, I don't hunt with them. They offer a lot of support with heavy loads.

[Broken arrow]

Ok here's most of my list

Item: Lbs. /oz.
Eberlestock BW pack w/spike duffel 8.6
2L Bladder Source (empty) 0.7
Para cord 100ft 0.4
Termarest sleep pad 0.9
5’x7’ lite tarp 0.9
Tent Nemo Espri2P 4.6
Jetboil Flash W/100g fuel 1.6
Fuel for stove 100g 0.7
First Lite Springer vest 1.0
Core4 element pants 1.13
First lite Llano top 0.7
Otto gaiters 0.2
ASAT bottoms 0.4
Smart wool medium hiker x2 0.6
Liner socks x2 0.2
Core 4 wool ultra-lite beanie 0.05
Lowa Renegade II 2.14
Garmin Oregon 450T 0.7
16oz water bottle (wide mouth) 0.3
Vortex binos 1.7
Coleman 20* down sleeping bag 2.15
Caribou Solo hunter bags 1.0
Outdoor flipnblade +saw 0.10
Sony Cybershot 0.7
APEX gale jacket 1.07
2 liters of water 5.6
First aid / fire starter kit 0.7
Iodine tabs 0 .3
Cabela's rain jacket 1.8
headlamp x2 0.6
Recurve 2.6
I know I have more but that is the start of it. I've bought the best I can afford for now it gets me in the mountains. I will upgrade from here a bit at a time.
Using a digital fish scale,seems accurate but might be a little off.
went ahead and added water and figuring 15lbs for food mostly MH, instant taters, oatmeal, trail mix, jerky, and lots of instant coffee. ( I eat A LOT!!!!)