Sawtooth 2024

  •   Category Weight
  • Big Four
    7.38 lb
  • Worn clothing
    3.17 lb
  • Extra clothing
    2.49 lb
  • Cook system
    0.3 lb
  • Food and water
    11.7 lb
  • Miscellaneous
    3.69 lb
  • Electronics
    1.44 lb
  • Camera gear
    2.99 lb
  • Packraft
    6.93 lb
  • Total 40.09
    lb
    • oz
    • lb
    • g
    • kg
  • Consumable 10.68 lb
  • Worn 4.42 lb
  • Base Weight 24.99 lb

Gear list from our hike in the Sawtooth Range in August 2024. We hiked about 55 miles (~15 off trail) over 4 days (more like 3, since we started so late on day 1). This was the first of three legs of our trip. The second leg was packrafting for two days down the Salmon River, and the third was biking back to our starting point.

Shared items have a quantity of 0.33; the three of us split those items across our packs. My actual pack weight was a little over 35 pounds at the trailhead, which is pretty close to the estimate here (total minus worn).

My gear choices were good. I used everything that I brought, and I didn't find myself wanting anything I didn't have. I also didn't bring a single piece of new gear on this trip, which felt nice. I've found a pretty reliable set of gear that works well for me.

The only thing that didn't hold up super well was my shoes. I've gone through several pairs of Brooks Cascadias over the years and I think I might switch to a different brand next time, something more durable. I've struggled to get more than a couple hundred miles out of my last few pairs before they develop big holes in the uppers. They wear out especially fast on off-trail trips like this one.

The packraft was totally unnecessary, but fun. We brought our packrafts for the second leg of the trip (rafting down the Salmon River). Sean and Siyang stashed theirs near our rafting starting point (and I stashed my helmet, life jacket, and some other gear there), but I decided to carry mine for two reasons: (1) I thought it would be fun to paddle on some lakes, and (2) packrafts are meant to be carried! I used it twice—once in the middle of the day and once at camp—and I think it was worth it. It was fun and the extra weight didn't slow me down too much.