Trimming Gear Weight

As my August 3rd. SHT hike draws near, it is time to start looking at my kit and see if I can reduce some weight.  I found an error in my LighterPack.com tool.  I had accidentally set my down jacket  quantity to zero, so my 13.7 pounds was off by 8.5 ounces.  My actual kit was 14.2 pounds.

Using Grand Marias as my target, I can expect an average high of 72 degrees and an average low of 52 degrees.  Perfect hiking weather!  My PCT kit handled a low of 20 degrees.  I probably do not need to worry about that for this hike.

Here are some items I do not need to take or have replaced.

Thermometer (0.6 oz)
I carred a small thermometer on my backpack so I would know the actual temperature.  This was important because my Sawyer Squeeze cannot handle the water inside freezing.  I do not need to worry about this for this hike, I do not need to take it.

Down Jacket (8.5 oz)
I should not need to worry about freezing temperatures, so my base layers and my 20 degree sleeping quilt should easy keep me warm at night.

Personal Papers (1.7 oz)
I will not be travelling into Canada, nor do I need permits to hike the PCT, so that saves 1.7 ounces of laminated paperwork.

3-Liter Platypus Bladder (1.9 oz)
I do not need the capacity to carry nine liters of water.  I only used the 3-Liter bladder twice on the PCT.  I will have two 1-liter Smart Water bottles and a 2-Liter Platypus Bladder which should give me plenty of capacity.  The 2-Liter bladder I use for dirty water collection.

Cell Phone (0.6 oz)
I have a new cell phone.  My Pixel 4a 5G weighs a whopping .6 ounces less than the Samsung Note 8 I had on the PCT.

That is it.  I cut my weight from 14.2 to 13.4 pounds.  To make some real weight savings, I would have to throw money at the problem.  My shelter is about as light as you can get.  The easiest choice is to replace my ULA Catalyst to a lighter model, but it is not worth it for a two-to-three week hike.  It is something I will have to consider for when I hike the AT.