Kevin's High Sierra Summer Solo Trip List: 4-7 nights

Category Weight
Pack and Trekking Poles
3.17 lb
Shelter
1.34 lb
Sleep
4.69 lb
Comfort
0.42 lb
Clothing (Worn)
1.87 lb
Clothing (Carried)
3.11 lb
Food & Cooking
2.79 lb
Water
0.53 lb
Electronics & Navigation
1.34 lb
Health & Sanitation
0.35 lb
First Aid & Repair
0.29 lb
Post-trip (left in car at trailhead)
0 lb
Home Accessories (not taken on trip)
0 lb
Total
19.91
lb
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
Consumable 0.43 lb
Worn 3.24 lb
Base Weight 16.25 lb

Overview

Solo backpacking setup for late summer and early fall trips in the high Sierras. I use a BV450 bear canister for 2-4 night trips, and a BV500 for longer trips. Trip diaries are on kevinskii.dev/backpacking.

Star ratings

Red: Recently decided to replace or eliminate. May disappear from this list soon.
Yellow: May eventually replace with a lighter/better alternative.
Green: Worth the weight for safety or comfort reasons.

- Pack and Trekking Poles
  Weight qty
- REI Flash Air 50 backpack, medium torso
  1000
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- REI Co-op Trailmade trekking poles Baskets and straps removed. Consider the Cascade Mountain Tech carbon fiber poles on Amazon for a lighter and cheaper alternative.
  438
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 3.17 lb
  
  2
- Shelter
  Weight qty
- Durston X-Mid Pro 1 tent w/ stuff sack
  505
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- MSR Groundhog tent stake Main stakes for tent corners. I don't feel mini groundhogs would be sufficient for a trekking pole tent in the conditions I've experienced.
  14
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  4
- Big Agnes mini tent stake Optional for doors and guy lines. I use these instead of Groundhog Minis only because they came with my last tent.
  9
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  4
- Tent cord - 2 x 12' For guylines.
  6
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  2
- 1.34 lb
  
  11
- Sleep
  Weight qty
- Zenbivy Light quilt, 10 degree, large size Slightly heavier than competitors' quilts, but I sleep great in it. 10F gives a 20F comfort rating, which IMO is suitable for late summer trips at high elevation, where temperatures routinely dip into the 20s.
  1120
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Zenbivy Light Sheet Uninsulated Full-length linen which attaches to sleeping pad and quilt to prevent drafts.
  196
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Big Agnes Rapide SL - 72" x 25" regular wide Inflatable sleeping pad, R-value 4.8. No stuff sack. Good for side sleeping. Other similar pads are 6 oz lighter for around $200, but are apparently flimsier and noisier.
  680
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Exped Ultra Pillow Almost as comfy as the Exped Mega Pillow, but almost 6oz lighter.
  1.8
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sleeping pad inflation bag Doubles as dry sack for clothes. Comes with sleeping pad.
  56
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Nyloflume pack liner For keeping gear dry.
  25.9
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 4.69 lb
  
  6
- Comfort
  Weight qty
- Gossamer Gear Thinlight 1/8" folding pad. Multipurpose.
  108
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sea to Summit Bug net w/ stuff sack.
  25
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Gerber folding knife There are much lighter options (<1oz) which are still sturdier than razor blades.
  39
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- PackTowl - 10" x 14" I left this on my last trip and wished I had it for tent condensation.
  20
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Helinox Chair Zero Great for day hikes and trips w/ less daily mileage. I no longer carry on higher mileage trips, as I find that I don't miss having it.
  17
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 0.42 lb
  
  4
- Clothing (Worn)
  Weight qty
- Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button-down synthetic sun hoodie.
  8.5
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- OR Ferrosi convertible pants
  13.4
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- OR ball cap Any lightweight cap will do.
  59
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- OR ActiveIce sun gloves
  21
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Darn Tough Ridge Runner ultralight wool socks - cushionless Cushioned socks take too long to dry.
  40
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Ex Officio boxer briefs
  84
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Buff
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Trail running shoes Brand/weight may vary.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Tifosi Veloce sunglasses "Light Night Fototec" lens and Chums retainer and pouch
  46
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 1.87 lb
  
  8
- Clothing (Carried)
  Weight qty
- Burgeon Outdoor Alpha Direct 90 Hoodie Alpha Direct material is super lightweight, wicks moisture and dries quickly, and makes a good insulating layer when worn under something like a sun hoodie. Also works as a sleep layer.
  125
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- EE Torrid synthetic hooded jacket Custom ordered with 20D fabric.
  251
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Patagonia TorrentShell 3L rain jacket 3-layer with 20,000mmHg hydrostatic rating is worth the weight, IMO
  395
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Patagonia TorrentShell rain pants
  350
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Spare socks
  40
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Spare underwear
  84
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- REI Co-op polyester/spandex long underwear Sleep
  149
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Beanie Sleep
  16
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- REI Minimalist GTX Mittens Inclusion depends on weather forecast and time of year.
  43
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Smart Wool liner gloves Inclusion depends on weather forecast and time of year.
  59
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- 3.11 lb
  
  8
- Food & Cooking
  Weight qty
- MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe stove Reportedly more fuel efficient and better temperature control than lighter alternatives.
  83
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- BV450 bear canister BV500 for longer trips adds 6 oz.
  936
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Toaks long titanium spoon Long spoon reaches bottom of bags so I don't have to use my grubby fingers.
  20
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Fuel canister
  110
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Toaks 750mL pot with carry bag Might replace with a 900mL pot to eliminate freezer bag cooking.
  116
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Empty mylar freeze dried meal bag For use as cooking cozy.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 2.79 lb
  
  6
- Water
  Weight qty
- Platypus Quickdraw water filter
  83
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Cnoc Vecto 2L bag
  79
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 1L Smartwater bottle Compatible w/ most water filters.
  39
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  2
- Rubberband For marking dirty water bottle. Various other uses.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  2
- 0.53 lb
  
  6
- Electronics & Navigation
  Weight qty
- Printed maps 1:50000 scale CalTopo maps printed on 8.5" x 11" paper in ziplock bag.
  4.5
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  5
- Suunto M-3 NH compass Adjustable declination.
  50
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- iPhone 16 and case Weight is estimated based on published specs.
  180
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Garmin InReach Mini 2 Requires an $11/month satellite subscription.
  113
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Veektomx 10000mAh power bank 10000mAh too large for solo 4-7 day trips. Considering replacing w/ Nitecore Carbon 6k.
  170
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Nightcore NU25 headlamp
  47
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 3" USB-C charging cable
  10
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Airpods Pro & charging case Tried watching downloaded movies on iPhone. Preferred to read, so will leave at home on next trip.
  46
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Kindle Paperwhite Only bring on lower mileage trips.
  209
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- ThermoDrop Zipper-Pull thermometer
  14
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 1.34 lb
  
  12
- Health & Sanitation
  Weight qty
- Poop kit Trowel, TP, dog poop bags in gallon ZipLock bag
  65
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Bidet Attaches to water bottle.
  4
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sunscreen Banana Boat 30spf. Will try to completely eliminate through use of face buff and sun gloves on next trip.
  26
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Dr. Bronner's Biodegradable soap Concentrated form, in small Litesmith bottle
  9
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Purell hand sanitizer In medium Litesmith bottle
  19
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Picaridin bug repellent Carried in smaller travel-size breath freshener spray bottle found in travel section of most drug stores.
  15
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Thumbprint toothbrush w/ cover
  7
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Toothpaste tablets - 2X per day In ziplock dime bag
  5
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Aquaphor lip balm Extremely dry air in Sierras.
  0.35
  oz
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.35 lb
  
  9
- First Aid & Repair
  Weight qty
- Medical kit bag w/ zipper Bought a small medical kit and replaced its contents with everything here.
  16
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Leukotape 8" strip Blister treatment. Kept on label paper per Andrew Skurka's advice: https://andrewskurka.com/quick-tip-field-friendly-leukotape-strips-for-foot-care-first-aid/.
  2
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  2
- Microscissors For cutting leukotape. Knife isn't good for this.
  5
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Gorilla Tape A few feet (don't recall how many) wrapped around business card in ziplock sandwich bag. For shoe repair, gear repair, and wound bandaging (don't apply directly to wound).
  43
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Krazy glue To re-attach limbs in case marmots chew them off while sleeping.
  6
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Pepto Bismo tablet x2 Indigestion.
  3
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Benadryl x4 Swelling relief from insect stings or plant toxins.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Aspirin tablets x4 and container Heart attack mitigation.
  4
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Vicks Dayquil tablet x2 Cough & cold.
  4
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Loperamide Hydrochloride tablet Anti-diarrheal.
  0.66
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  6
- 8x Ibuprofen tablets and container Pain relief.
  9
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Dental floss, 2 sewing needles, and small plastic container For sewing.
  14
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sleeping pad patch kit Comes with sleeping pad.
  4
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Katadyn Micropur 1L water treatment tablet Emergency water treatment. Keep in original foil packaging.
  0.63
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  8
- Bic mini lighter
  12
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Monistat chafing gel Stopped carrying after a hard multi-day rainy trip during which I experienced only minor chafing towards the last day.
  30
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  0
- Cyanide capsule For when all hope is lost.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0.29 lb
  
  29
- Post-trip (left in car at trailhead)
  Weight qty
- Towel
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Change of clothes
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Sandals
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0 lb
  
  4
- Home Accessories (not taken on trip)
  Weight qty
- Flip Fuel Transfers fuel between canisters.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Digital kitchen scale Found on Amazon for a few dollars. Used for weighing gear.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- Digital hanging scale Found on Amazon for a few dollars. Used to measure total pack weight and weights of bulky items.
  0
  g
  - oz
  - lb
  - g
  - kg
  1
- 0 lb
  
  3

Kevin's High Sierra Summer Solo Trip List: 4-7 nights

Overview

Star ratings

Pack and Trekking Poles

Shelter

Sleep

Comfort

Clothing (Worn)

Clothing (Carried)

Food & Cooking

Water

Electronics & Navigation

Health & Sanitation

First Aid & Repair

Post-trip (left in car at trailhead)

Home Accessories (not taken on trip)