Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Lightweight Packing...

I received an e-mail from an acquaintance recently stating that scotch tape over a mosquito bite will eliminate the urge to scratch. He said something about elminating oxygen to the site. When I mentioned this to Bob R on one of our hikes, he suggested substituting duct tape. I had mixed results when I tried it earlier this summer.

I keep reading all of these ultra-light tips, but haven't seen anyone yet suggest leaving the toothpaste and brush behind. Your breath may be bad, but I doubt that you'll have any long-term adverse affects from skipping the brushing for a few days.

Richard, I meant that if the goal is to eliminate oxygen using tape, duct might be a more practical choice only because a lot of people carry it anyway. I have no idea whether eliminating oxygen--with tape or by any other means--helps in mosquito bites.

Since Richard asked: Instead of toothbrush and paste, the corner of a bandana and a small amount of salt and baking soda. Brushes and works as mouthwash. Also eliminates toothpaste leaking all over the pack.

A hiker gal well known to this board (but whose identity I will protect!), swears by Preparation H for mosquito bites. Apparently if you apply it before scratching the bite, it will greatly reduce swelling and itching. I personally have not had a chance to try it out yet.

I've seen her use it on a bite.

(Rhetorical question -- no need to actually answer): Where, are these mosquitoes biting?

Here's an alternative to ultra-lightweight, it's a more traditional backpacking load. This was my breakdown on a recent 5-day epic trip to Shepard's Pass, Williamson and Tyndall. I admit that I have seen the suggested lists for going light and I do think about ways to shave pounds. However, I really enjoy hot meals of real food. I like sleeping in a tent on a pad and having room in my tent to keep all of my clothes and gear dry. I like changing footwear between my shoes and boots depending on the terrain. I like the comfort of knowing I have everything I might need. Even though I didn't use some of the things that I took, like the first-aid kit, space blanket, cash, I.D., cell phone and fleece balaclava I still like having them along. The weights are in decimals of pounds.

Therma-silk long underwear (layer one) 0.56
MTS long sleeve top/bottoms (layer two) 1.13
Convertible Columbia Pants (layer three)(wear)
MTS short sleeve shirt (layer three) (wear)
Fleece pants (layer four) 1.20
Fleece sweatshirt (layer four) 0.88
*Gore-tex rain/wind pants (layer five) 0.81
*Gore-tex rain/wind jacket (layer five) 1.25
Spare socks, Smart-Wool 0.25
Spare socks, liners 0.06
Spare clean underwear 0.16
Merrill trail shoes (wear)
Fleece balaclava 0.16
Teva Sandals (stream crossing shoes) 1.63
Gloves 0.13
*Hat (wear)
Jansport D-3 backpack 5.00
CamelBack H.A.W.G. summit pack w/water 9.00
Toilet paper 0.16
*Space blanket 0.75
Advil 0.06
Ginko Biloba 0.06
Vitamins 0.03
*First-Aid kit 0.56
*Matches 0.13
*Sun-screen lotion 0.16
*Chap-stick/lip balm 0.02
Insect repellent 0.09
Compass 0.06
Map 0.01
Permit & route info. 0.25
Camera 0.75
Spare sunglassess 0.10
i-pod 0.10
Water filter 0.88
Head lamp 0.31
Flash light 0.25
Duct tape, mini roll 0.13
leatherman multi-tool 0.63
cell phone 0.35
FSR Talk-about radio (don't bring this trip)
Wallet, cash & I.D. 0.10
Baby wipes 0.25
Tooth brush 0.10
Floss 0.06
Comb, soap, deodorant 0.25
Pencil/paper 0.06
Jumbo/giant zip-lock bags 0.13
Sleeping bag 2.50
Tent 7.00
Therma-rest sleeping pad 2.10
Stove 1.20
Fuel 1.00
Cook pots 1.25
Cup/bowl/utensils 0.25
Bear cannister 2.75
Tequilla in small nalgene bottle 0.50
Spare water platypus 0.25
Sandwiches, 8 ea. + mayo. packets 3.25
Snacks, Hostess pies, trail mix, 2.75
Coffee, single brew packets, 12 ea 0.19
Diet Cokes, one per day (0.6/ea.too heavy!)
Group meal, steak fajitas 7.00
Eggs/dehydrated/breakfast 1.00
La Sportiva boots 5.00
Crampons, Grivel 2.75
Ice axe, Black Diamond 1.00
Total(lbs.): 70.74

Man, you brought a lot of stuff! How come you had to carry all the group gear? You carried a tent, stove, fuel, water filter, first aid kit, group food and the bear canister. Maybe you should have a little chat with the rest of the group

I also noticed that you carried 1/4 pound of baby wipes as well as a comb, soap and deodorant. Where you trying to look good for someone? Maybe that is why you carried all the group gear?

I found it sort of funny that you brought 9 pounds of water, plus a water filter as well as teva sandals for water crossings. Having just been up to shepards pass and Mt Tyndall, I know the tevas aren't necessary, but no biggie. However, since you seemed to know there was water on the trail, I would suggest thinking about taking significantly less water and using the pump you brought more often. The weight savings from water alone could have made a big difference. Also, the little rests to pump water are nice too. When I was on the trail (last weekend), I never carried more than one liter of water at a time and had more than enough.

Two flashlights? The indians went thousands of years with no flashlights. Why do you need two? Just get one good one! Pepsi? Ouch! That is sheer self torture and should be outlawed. And a daypack? I do not understand why people bring daypacks. Just dump all the junk out of your big pack in the morning before you go and use that. Also, if you don't bring a daypack and five cans of pepsi, your big pack won't be so big.

Finally, did you go in the winter? If so, I understand the ice axe, crampons and five layers of clothes. If not, you might look to pare down on that stuff too.

Anyway, no offense meant by my sarcastic remarks for sure. I have also been accused of carrying excess stuff, like a few beers, bottle of wine or my standard Exped matress which is super comfortable, but weighs over two pounds.

Holy crap. You must be a MACHINE to haul 70 pounds up and over Shepherd's Pass! Good work! This reminds me of what I read about Norman Clyde... They used to call him, "The pack that walks," or something like that. How many cubic liters is your pack and how much do you weigh? 70 pounds for me is nearly 50% of my body weight!

Gusto

JPR/Gusto,

No offense taken. I know that posting here will likely stimulate comments and feedback. That's what makes this board so valuable. I should mention however that my post was not asking for suggestions. Just as I am not suggesting that brushing teeth, personal hygeine, hot meals, tents and sleeping pads are for everyone. After reading several posts recently on going light and ultra-light I merely wanted to point out that there are alternatives. I enjoy the few trips I get to take. Part of the reason I enjoy these trips is becuase I bring everything that I believe I need to be safe and comfortable. I weigh about 215, depending on the duration of the trip my pack weight varies from 10% to 30% of my body weight. All 5 members of our team had packs weighing between 55 and 70 lbs at the beginning of the trip. Over the course of the trip we used up food so on the trip down from Shepard's Pass, when our water was low our packs weighed much less, probably 10 to 15 lbs less. We all carried our own tents We had more than one stove and water filter. some of the other team members carried rope and climbing gear. It wasn't winter on this trip (in the month of June)but reports we had before we left suggested the possibiity of camping in the snow at Sheppard's Pass and sustained travel on ice and snow. As it turns out We did use our ice axes and crampons as well as all of our layers of clothing. On our day trips from Shepard's Pass to the summits of Williamson and Tyndall we had probably about 20 lb day-packs. On shorter 2 to 3 day trips I carry a smaller pack and then use that same pack as a summit pack, tightening the cinch straps and carrying only the day's essentials. I do change my packing methods a little each trip. Sometimes to get a little lighter and sometimes to bring something to make the trip a little more enjoyable.

I have been following this post for a while & find it so interesting on what one brings and the difference in ones pack weight.
I have been backpacking for about 30 years of my life, and have never really paid attention to what my pack weighed up until about 10 years ago when I did my 1st Grand Canyon trip..checking it in at the airport on the way it weighed 45 pounds!!!!!!!! they told me that, and I knew then I had to do something to get the weight down..since then I have tried to get my pack weight less, each year it weighed a bit less, last summer on a 5 day trip it weighed at 38 pounds & I just got back from a 5 day trip and it was at 35 pounds...I could get it less if I got a new sleeping bag which I do need, but other then that I do not think I could get it any less, unless I don't take my tent which weighs only 3 1/2 pounds..and im not willing to give my tent up. It amazes me how some can have there weight under 30 pounds.
We meant a nice family on top of New Army Pass..he had just hauled up caring 83 pounds on his back & at the TH two guys starting, the one was caring 63 pounds and the other 70, but they were going to be out for 10 days. What I have found what brings my pack weight up are my warm clothes & rain gear. Any suggestions on that?

Well to start out, if you reduce the BIG 3 then you are well on your way. A Western Mountaineering Ultralite bag that is rated 20 degrees weghs in at 26 oz. A Granite Gear Vapor Trail with 3700 ci weighs in at barely over 2 lbs. And if you like tents, then look at the Henry Shires Tarptents Virga. This weghs in at 27 oz. or so. Those three suggestions will cut your weght dramitically. Once you have a smaller pack, then you are forced to re think what you have to put in it.

35 pounds for a 5 day trip sounds like a pretty good. I don't have a bunch of time right now, but here's a suggestion on rain gear:

http://marmot.com/products/product.php?cat=cloth&subcat=67&style_id=I5411

7oz for a rain shell by Marmot. I'm going to start a new post for lightweight gear.

Gusto

posted August 19, 2006 04:07 AM
--------------------------------------------------My big three:

Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 sleeping bag 1lb 6oz (warm enough for summers in the Sierra, maybe wearing some (or all) clothes on coldest nights)

Gossamer Gear G4 pack 14 oz.

Six Moon Designs Europa II tent about 2 lbs.

For warm clothes, check out the Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket. Down filled, weighs 13 ounces in my XL, medium is 10 oz.

Rain gear, I use Red Ledge Thunderlight parka and rain pants, I think about 1.5 lbs. There are lighter options, like silnylon ponchos and Frogg Toggs.

My pair of Frogg Toggs has lasted the last three years, and I find them to be the best breathing raingear I've worn. About $80 for the pair.(pants and top) Trying a new pair of Drop Stoppers this year, 4/oz jacket, 6 oz pants, but haven't enough experience to judge yet. Oh, and the set costs $20

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/drop_stoppers_rain_gear.html

(I edited my August 18 reply, 6 posts above in this thread)