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Joined: Apr 2008
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Quick Question:
I am trying to reduce the weight of my pack for my upcoming 3 night stay on Whitney via the main trail. I am looking at my standard backpacking list and there are items that I may not need for this trip. Do I really need the following items?:
Tent Footprint .62 lbs.
Pack Cover .46 lbs.
Waterproof Breathable pants .75lbs.
Gloves .13lbs.
Knit Cap .14lbs.
Bug head net .14lbs.
Pack Towel .22lbs.
Any advice would be appreciated.
3 weeks from today I hope to make it to the top!
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Joined: Jun 2005
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In my humble opinion...
Tent Footprint .62 lbs. NO
Pack Cover .46 lbs. NO, bring a large plastic garbage bag instead
Waterproof Breathable pants .75lbs. YES, but there are lighter ones on the market.
Gloves .13lbs. NO
Knit Cap .14lbs. YES
Bug head net .14lbs. NO
Pack Towel .22lbs. NO
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 167
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I'd leave the waterproof pants and backpack cover at home. Just pack all stuff in your backpack in trash bags and then put that in your backpack. Tent footprint seems kinda heavy too.
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings." - Proverbs 25:2
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Joined: Sep 2007
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IMHO, you can nix the waterproof pants. You'll be on Whitney in August, usually a dry time. To be reassured, you can just check the weather reports right as you leave. If the forecast says sunny for the next three days, you should be okay. You'll likely be wearing convertible (zip-off) hiking pants instead. P.S. The big garbage bag is a great idea - it can be your safety net for the wag bag. Those things are not absolutely airtight 
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Joined: Jan 2003
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June '07 i decided not to bring the tent on a 2-night at trail camp. grabbed a site with decent windbreak. used the tent footprint as a ground cloth. no problem. no rain was predicted near or far those nights and none occurred. so, it can happen. 
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Tent Footprint .62 lbs.
Pack Cover .46 lbs.
Pack Towel .22lbs.
These can all be replaced by much lighter items: Tent footprint - cut one from a roll of 2-mil plastic, or from a leftover piece of Tyvek. Pack cover - plastic trash bag, or buy one made of silnylon at half the weight. Pack towel - bandana, or cut the towel down in size.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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In my humble opinion...
Tent Footprint .62 lbs. NO
Pack Cover .46 lbs. NO, bring a large plastic garbage bag instead
Waterproof Breathable pants .75lbs. YES, but there are lighter ones on the market.
Gloves .13lbs. NO
Knit Cap .14lbs. YES
Bug head net .14lbs. NO
Pack Towel .22lbs. NO Kurt! Are you turning into a lightweight groupie?? 
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A lot depends on the particular weekend, what you have and what you value.
Tent Footprint...my tent has a silnylon floor; therefore, it would be a yes.
Pack Cover...I've got a silnylon cover and it is easier to use than a trash bag. I would bring one or the other
Gloves...yes, two pair if I doing the summit at dawn.
Knit hat...yes
Bug net...it depends, the later it get the less I am inclined to take one. Right now, it is a trailhead decision.
Pack Towel...yes, cleanliness is next to Godliness.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Thanks for all the good advice. Looks like I will need to make the final call once I know the weather forecast.
One more question: My tent also has a silnylon bottom. Why is a ground cloth required with silnylon? I think my footprint is also silnylon. For reference, my tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur 3.
Thanks again to everyone for the input!
Mike.
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For reference, my tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur 3. That's a big tent at 4.5 pounds. If you really want to cut down on weight, there are a number of lightweight shelter options.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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One more question: My tent also has a silnylon bottom. Why is a ground cloth required with silnylon? I think my footprint is also silnylon. For reference, my tent is the Big Agnes Copper Spur 3.
Mike. It is never required. I view it as protection of a $400 investment. In my opinion, silnylon seems to be a bit more delicate than other fabrics use for tent floors.
Last edited by wbtravis5152; 07/18/08 12:03 AM.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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if you can carry it do it!
none else will be humping your pack but you!
bring what ever you want
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,006
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In my humble opinion...
Tent Footprint .62 lbs. NO
Pack Cover .46 lbs. NO, bring a large plastic garbage bag instead
Waterproof Breathable pants .75lbs. YES, but there are lighter ones on the market.
Gloves .13lbs. NO
Knit Cap .14lbs. YES
Bug head net .14lbs. NO
Pack Towel .22lbs. NO Kurt! Are you turning into a lightweight groupie?? I've been that way for a long time. It's easy with all the lightweight stuff they make these days. I would bet that I can shave 5-10 pounds off of a lot of people's pack weight.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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In my opinion, silnylon seems to be a bit more delicate than other fabrics use for tent floors. I'll second that. I tend to think ahead as to what kind of surface I'll be putting my tent on. The worst is loose pointy rock. It may be best to bring something to put under your tent in that case. On the other hand, if you're really careful about not putting weight directly on the tent floor when you get in (always step onto a bivy pad or thermarest) you may find you can get away without a ground cloth or footprint on nearly anything. Andy
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