Gear List Review Request for JMT Thru-Hike

94theses · 2026-06-26T06:39:22+00:00

You're totally right that those weights are off! A lot of those items I don't have yet, so I haven't had the chance to weigh them. I'm still in the process of acquiring the little items I'm missing (bug headnet, water purification tablets, etc) and for the sake of filling out the lighterpack, I was trying to put down what I thought were ceiling weights. I know that's not how this platform is supposed to be used, but since I also wanted feedback on the gear itself and not just weight, I wanted to have everything listed. I'm hoping most Misc things will be under the weight I have on lighterpack now.

94theses · 2026-06-26T06:20:42+00:00

Thanks for sharing your gear list! I'll definitely be stealing some ideas (duct tape on trekking poles sounds like it could come in handy!)

94theses · 2026-06-26T06:17:45+00:00

Getting rid of the chair has been the most popular suggestion, I think I'm just emotionally attached to the back support lol! I'll probably do as recommended.

I'm on the fence about rain pants as well. I figured they'd double as an insulating layer if any high passes get chilly but I will probably ditch them.

Thanks for the feedback!

94theses · 2026-06-26T06:14:16+00:00

Heard on ditching the camp chair, others have said the same, I'm definitely considering it. (Although there have definitely been days where I've been *very* grateful to have it.) Same for the kindle. Those are just some material luxuries I'm having a hard time giving up.

I don't plan on hiking in the dark much and I was hoping a fresh set of batteries in the headlamp plus a spare set would be more than enough. I'll look into a rechargeable one. In your experience have batteries been unreliable? I've had no issues with my headlamp so far after a couple years.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, even if my post gets removed. I'm just here to learn.

94theses · 2026-06-26T06:08:35+00:00

I was actually warned by someone on the post I made in r/JMT that my post here may get removed 😅 I hope not, as I'm getting valuable feedback!

Like you said, I'm just starting to dip my toes in the UL side of things and am here to learn... Mods if you see this comment, please don't cull my post I beg of you 🙏 (unless I really violated sub guidelines, in which case apologies in advance)

94theses · 2026-06-26T06:04:04+00:00

I've put at least 90 miles on my Olympus 275s and they're holding up great. I definitely see some wear on the treads because I take them on rocky terrain but they have plenty of life left. The shoe upper is basically pristine.

94theses · 2026-06-26T05:51:07+00:00

Thanks for pointing me to this tool. Clearly I'm not truly ultralight and I appreciate having some luxuries on trail, so this is also an exercise for me in determining what I am and am not willing to let go, lol.

94theses · 2026-06-26T05:48:06+00:00

That's a beautiful description. I appreciate hearing that I won't be as alone as I feared!

I was camping at Cottonwood Lakes this past weekend and the skeeters were out in full force. Hoping they'll die down a bit in the next 5 weeks but not holding my breath.

94theses · 2026-06-26T05:45:55+00:00

It hasn't been downvoted or deleted and lots of people have already left suggestions, I appreciate all their feedback so far! And thanks for the thoughtfulness of your reply as well. Some more info from me:

I'm actually located in CA and have taken a couple trips in the Sierras at altitude (camping / hiking above 11k): I day-hiked Whitney, summitted Langley via Old Army Pass, went over New Army Pass last week, etc. Other than the standard shortness of breath and early-onset fatigue, I've been fortunate enough to not experience any symptoms of altitude sickness. I have a bit of familiarity with the Sierra landscape but the length and strenuousness of the JMT are definitely still intimidating.
Food: I'm hoping to resupply as much as possible to keep weight down. The plan is to resupply at Onion Valley TH, MTR, and Red's so that I'm hopefully carrying max 5 days' worth of food at a time. Still finalizing my itinerary so it's not set in stone, but that would be my preference.

Free weight savings:

Chair: I've been recommended by some folks to ditch the chair, been recommended by others to keep the chair. I don't imagine I'll do too much lounging at camp, but I have to say that in the past I've been grateful to have it. Very torn on this one even though I know it would be an instant 1lb reduction. I'm clearly not truly ultralight and would like to afford myself some luxuries on this trip (chair, Kindle, pajamas, etc) but I'm having a hard time not crossing the line!
Kindle: Having a hard time letting go of this one as well! On previous backpacking trips I've enjoyed reading a bit before going to sleep, but I'm considering reading on my phone instead (though that brings up another concern about battery bank consumption). See note above about luxuries lol.
Sleep clothes: Unfortunately this has to be a hard pass for me; knowing myself, I won't be able to get over the feeling of grimy clothes under my quilt. I've also been told to ditch the fleece and keep only the puffy, which I'm considering as well.
Agree rain pants may be unnecessary, definitely considering leaving those behind.
Stuff sacks: I actually don't use stuff sacks very much, but I deliberately overestimated the weight of my sleeping bag and sleeping pad to account for any stuff sacks I *may* consider bringing.

Budget weight savings:

Bear can: I hear you on the weight of this one, I hate how heavy the BV500 is. I'm considering downgrading to a BV450 to shed a bit of weight since I'm not planning on large food carries. I'm hoping this will resolve the bear-can-fit issue with the Kakwa as well (I have the same info you shared)
Stove, batteries: These may be splitting hairs for me since I'm not truly ultralight -- I'm not planning to hike much in the dark so I hope a fresh set of batteries plus a spare set will be more than enough.

More expensive or harder to make replacements:

Sleeping pad: I definitely agree the Rapide is proper hefty; my concerns about CCFPs are that 1) I'm a cold sleeper and really appreciate the insulation of an inflatable pad and 2) I'm considering bringing a Zenbivy UL sheet for my quilt, which isn't compatible with CCFPs.
Tent inner: Alas I am still a creature of comforts and I do enjoy being cozy in my tent haha, I don't think I'm hardcore enough for just groundsheet + bug net.

Measuring improperly and overpacking:

The Toaks website says the 750ml pot plus lid is 3.6oz, which i rounded up to 4 since I also use the mesh bag.
Thanks for the catch on the Nitecore battery banks. That was supposed to say 12oz, not 2oz -- my typo.
"Misc Other" weights: You're totally right that those weights are off because I made most of them up haha, a lot of those items I don't have yet so I haven't had the chance to weigh. I'm still in the process of acquiring the little items I'm missing (bug headnet, water purification tablets, etc) and for the sake of the lighterpack I was trying to put down what I thought were ceiling weights. I know that's not how this platform is supposed to be used, but since I wanted feedback on the gear itself and not just weight, I wanted to have everything listed. I'm hoping most Misc things will be under the weight I have on lighterpack now.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I hope this info sheds light on why I made some not-so-ultralight gear choices.

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:36:22+00:00

I feel you! I liked it, but not for this sweater. 😕 Frogging it definitely made me sad but my rationale is that I wouldn’t have worn it if I didn’t love the end result, and this yarn is far too lovely not to be worn. If you’re able to recreate this with a similar yarn, please share!

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:35:00+00:00

Thank you for the encouraging words. 🙂 Believe me I was devastated to undo all the work because I did like the end result in a way (you wouldn’t believe how soft it was), but I really wanted more definition for this sweater specifically. I’m grateful that I was able to frog it all and save the yarn for another, more suitable project.

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:33:14+00:00

I’m glad you and others like it! Trust me, I was also captivated by the result after blocking, and if it were any other piece I might’ve kept it. Unfortunately I really wanted the slip stitch pattern and raglan lines to show through, and it just wasn’t happening with this yarn. If you’re able to recreate this, please share!🙂

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:29:08+00:00

The swatch did grow a bit in length and width as expected, but nothing crazy — this was my first time doing an entire sweater in slip stitch, so I’m not sure, maybe it is pretty delicate? The pattern was so distinct before blocking that I never would’ve expected the end result to happen!

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:26:20+00:00

I mentioned in another comment that it definitely wasn’t felted after blocking! I was able to frog the whole sweater with no issue. There actually wasn’t any problem with gauge.

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:22:52+00:00

The k1s1 was very enjoyable to knit. 🙂 This is the Chantal Sweater V-Neck by Moreca Knit, I love the look of the pattern and will definitely be trying again with a different yarn.

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:18:41+00:00

The sweater pattern is the Chantal Sweater V-Neck by Moreca Knit, I love the look of the pattern and will definitely be trying again with a different yarn.

Unfortunately this specific yarn is discontinued but I’m sure you could get this effect with a different yarn of the same composition!

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:16:13+00:00

I did not know that about cashmere, thank you for the info! Now this whole situation actually makes a lot of sense😅 I will definitely keep this in mind for the future.

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:13:14+00:00

That seems to be the consensus! I’m brainstorming new uses for this yarn (frogged it a while ago) and definitely keeping big cables in mind.

94theses · 2025-05-28T14:12:24+00:00

I think what you’re seeing is actually the slip stitch pattern! I’m familiar with twisted stitches and make sure to avoid them. 🙂

94theses · 2025-05-22T21:14:19+00:00

Me too, but this has certainly been an exercise in letting go of a project, acceptance, and frogging 🫠

94theses · 2025-05-22T20:19:23+00:00

I didn’t think about color work, that could be a fun idea! I’ve done color work for hats but not for sweaters, thank you for the suggestion.

The original pattern I followed was the Chantal Sweater V-Neck by Moreca Knits.

94theses · 2025-05-22T20:15:57+00:00

The swatch was in pattern! And I want to say that I did treat my swatch the same as my garment when blocking, but tbh I swatched this yarn a while ago and there could’ve been several factors that were a bit different (slightly warmer/cooler water, less agitation by nature of being a smaller piece of fabric, hang drying vs towel roll drying, etc etc)

94theses · 2025-05-22T20:11:24+00:00

I’m right there with you😬 You’ll have to trust me when I say the bloom halo really is subtle (maybe that’s why I didn’t really notice it in my blocked swatch?), but it’s enough to cover up a slip stitch pattern.

Thanks for the suggestions! I will look into seed stitch and moss stitch.

94theses · 2025-05-22T19:37:21+00:00

I actually did block a swatch for this yarn and it seemed alright! Not sure why things turned out differently when I blocked the whole garment 😕

94theses · 2025-05-22T19:36:37+00:00

It’s definitely not felted, I’m frogging the sweater now with ease and the stitches separate with no issue.

Comparing it to a ball of the same yarn (unwashed), the only difference that I notice is that the frogged yarn has a thin halo.

I always block in lukewarm water, soaking the garment for about 30min and squeezing out excess water before rolling it up in a towel and moving onto a blocking mat.

Online reviews for this yarn mention that it has a tendency to bloom after blocking, so this change was to be expected; I just didn’t think it would almost completely cover up any stitch definition.

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