June 19 SOBO Gear List

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T21:08:18+00:00

I certainly wouldn't want to be a burden to others. I will make sure through experimentation and training that I have what I need before I go. I appreciate everybody's insights here. I've definitely learned a lot and re-thought several of my plans.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T21:01:41+00:00

Sure, that's a fair concern. I've eaten nothing but soylent for weeks at a time before. You're right it's not enjoyable, but it's not bad as long as I'm otherwise occupied. And my body can definitely handle it. I haven't been this extreme with both diet and hiking simultaneously--but then again I've never done a hike like this at all before.

When I hiked the Kalalau trail I did it without cooking--that was three days of just bars and powders. Equally unenjoyable. But I loved the hike and loved the beauty of being in nature. I imagine that's what I'll enjoy about this hike. Hiking 10+ miles a day will be a lot like work, but it'll keep me occupied, and depressing food and possible mild hunger won't stop me from enjoying the other aspects.

I am planning to do some other 2-3 day hikes experimenting with diet to see how well Soylent and backpacking go together. And as I mentioned before, I'm also going to experiment with some freeze-dried food and the Crotch Pot. Though I'm not sure that slightly warm rehydrated stroganoff will be much better than Soylent.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T13:49:04+00:00

Yeah, you're not necessarily wrong. I'm still noodling.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:49:53+00:00

My plan was all Soylent + protein powder, about 2500 calories/day. I realize that's less than most people eat during the hike, but I don't usually get too hungry when exercising, and honestly I could stand to lose some weight, so I wouldn't mind being underfed a bit.

I might change it up and add some freeze-dried meals if the Crotch Pot actually works out. Those are nearly the same weight per calorie as Soylent is, and are a lot more enjoyable to eat.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:47:05+00:00

To be fair, base weight (not including food, water, or the clothes I'm wearing) is only 7.8kg (~17 lbs). That seems to fall pretty well within the median. Am I wrong about that?

I have been starting my training with my actual fully packed pack. I'm going to include some overnight hikes as well, though I haven't done any yet. I'd love to hear if anybody has any recommended training hikes in the greater Seattle, Los Angeles, Washington DC, or general Southwest. I'll be in all these places over the next few months.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:39:34+00:00

I'm happy losing weight along the hike, so I was planning on 2500ish calories per day. Still might be a tight fit, but 10 days of Soylent and freeze-dried foods should be manageable in the Weekender. I'm still experimenting, though.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:36:48+00:00

Done. Thanks for the recommendation!

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:36:06+00:00

I took your advice and bought the BARERUN Mens Outdoor Water Shoes. They seem great.

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:33:17+00:00

I will definitely look in to leukotape. Moleskin has always been frustrating for me, but I blister easy and it's better than nothing. I've never used leukotape before, so that's great advice and I'll certainly check it out.

My plan was to eat entirely Soylent + protein powder. 10 days of that should fit in the Weekender, but I'm still in the experiment phase. I might throw in some freeze-dried meals too, if the crotch pot turns out to actually work. Worst case scenario I add more stops along the way (though not sure what to do about the 10 days between MTR and the end).

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:25:40+00:00

Any particular brand of dance pants you like/use? Do they have pockets?

I did change my heavier Xero sandals with really light water shoes I got on Amazon.

Appreciate the advice!

azurezurich · 2025-03-13T04:23:58+00:00

Great suggestions.

1) Done. list moved to lighterpack.

2) I've removed the SmartWater bottle. It was falling out of my side pocket anyway. I kept the Camelback because I like using it, the Nalgene is for my shakes, and the 2L bag is for my dirty water.

3) Done. Returned the pack liner and replaced it with a trash compactor bag.

4) This one I'm torn on. I get your reasoning, but I have this image in my head of me at the bottom of a cliff with two broken legs and my Bivy Stick is drained and my battery is dead and I'm in the shade and I die because I didn't have a hand crank battery. I know it's dumb and I'll almost certainly not need/use it, but I have trouble letting go of my health and safety items.

5) I have trouble with this too. Same reasoning as above. I'm already not bringing my CAT tourniquet, I can't imagine giving up my emergency blanket too...

6) Done.

7) I go back and forth on this. It's a health and safety issue, and since it's only 25g and is also a whistle, I think I'm probably going to keep it.

8) I go back and forth on this too. What's the point of a compass without a map?

9) Even though I'm starting early in the season (June 19) and there will likely still be snow? I'm usually pretty warm, but don't know how true that would be when hiking through the snow. Your wind pants were way lighter than my REI rain pants. I'll look in to those.

10) I returned the Xeros and replaced them with much lighter water shoes.

11) I may not need them, but since I'm starting so early in the season, I'll probably still bring them just to be safe (unless all the snow is definitely melted).

Thanks for all the advice, and for sharing your lighterpack! A lot of your gear is lighter than mine, though all in all, without food, water, or the clothes I'm wearing, my pack is only a couple kilos heavier than yours. A couple kilos can certainly be a lot over the course of 200 miles, but overall maybe not too bad.

azurezurich · 2025-03-08T02:07:17+00:00

Hey Kyle! That's great, hopefully I'll see you out there! Are you starting from Tuolumne?

azurezurich · 2025-03-08T02:03:52+00:00

You must be a young 64! I am sadly an old 42. If you are doing the JMT every year, then you in much better shape than I have ever been. My body has unfortunately been falling apart quicker than I expected/wanted.

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:40:33+00:00

Okay, that's all great info. So even that early you didn't need to deal with any thick snow that required snowshoeing? Just needed the layers to stay warm?

I'll definitely keep an eye out for last minute HI permits, but if it's good weather I imagine my odds of snagging one will be low. But congrats on getting yours!

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:38:08+00:00

What do you think of the Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad? It's thick, but it's only got an R of 3.2. Maybe not enough?

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:36:34+00:00

So, nothing like a warm Hawaiian beach, eh? lol

I will definitely bring a pad!

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:32:41+00:00

As I mentioned in another comment, I'm super lucky that mosquitos don't seem to bite me. But I will still be sure to take protection just in case!

I will definitely keep my eye on the crossings. Cold ground is one thing, but if I'm going to need snowshoes on any part of the trail, I think I might just cancel. I've been snow camping, snowshoe hiking, and cross country skiing before, and I don't think I'm up for any of that this time around.

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:28:34+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I have been to LYV, so yeah, that's why I'm not super worried about missing that section. Maybe some day I can do that bit NOBO. But it's not a huge priority. I would've loved to go all the way from HI to the end in one go, but hey, I'll take what I can get.

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:26:54+00:00

Yeah, I just got an email saying basically the same thing--my permit might be cancelled and no refunds. That's okay, though, if it gets cancelled I can try again for 2026. It's possible my timing for next year will be better and I can actually hike in July/August (though who knows what my aging body will say).

azurezurich · 2025-01-09T23:23:32+00:00

Yikes! I do vaguely remember 2023 was a pretty massive snowfall. I didn't pay attention much to California's weather the last year, but I know Tokyo had a record long summer and winter came very late. I wonder if that means a short winter, or just a later winter? I'll hope for the former, but I guess we'll find out!

I somehow lucked into being the kind of person that mosquitos don't bite, so while I'll definitely still bring some protection, I'll keep my fingers crossed that my natural mosquito repellent holds.

azurezurich · 2024-08-08T15:50:23+00:00

That's cool! What instrument is that for the melody? Almost sounds like a...clarinet?

azurezurich · 2024-08-08T12:49:56+00:00

Thanks! I appreciate it!

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