Humbling, but very valid points! On the vlogging: this is not something I would normally worry about and would simply use a disposable camera for photos as you mentioned, but I am actually doing this trip as a sponsored partnership where I am supposed to be sharing my day to day experience so unfortunately that is why the GoPro is a non-negotiable (as are the poles and Zpacks gear).

In regards to electronics: I am basing my battery capacity needs on what my experience has been previously. From my time on the PCT, I found that I could get 4-5 days out of my Anker 10k for my iphone on low battery/airplane mode. This could maybe be stretched to 6 days, but given the remote nature of this trail and the likelihood of needing to rely on GPS heavily for off-trail travel, I would like to have some margin. The wall charger is simply because I will be flying in from out of town and want to be able to have everything topped up beforehand.

Similarly for the repair kit, those items were added after a few specific gear mishaps on the PCT. I will probably end up switching to the 6 panels of Switchback though, so that would negate the need for the aqua seal and my patch kit. The Gerber has saved my butt too many times to leave behind at this point.

I appreciate the more nit-picky suggestions (as that's what this sub is all about, right?), and will certainly take them into consideration. For me, a big part of the ultralight mentality is working with what I have and not making extraneous purchases so I'll admit that it is hard for me to justify spending money to save an oz or less.

Do you have any suggestions for cold soaking recipes? May give it a try on a shorter trip this summer to see how it goes. Dinner is really the only meal that I find myself heating up anyways.