“”I decided to try to take as much as I could on this first voyage and narrow it down once i got out into the wilderness and could make better decisions on what i really needed and what was just luxury””

As you already wrote, you got the right idea/approach imo. My question is how did your 1st trip go and what ‘gear’ decisions did you make and why. Seems to always come down to ones individual thoughts on (lighter& faster) balanced against (comforts & contingency’s)

Clint,

I’m curious what you think you would do differently after this first voyage?

Here is some feedback:

Stove choice and fuel canister choice. Take a look online at make your own alcohol stoves. If you are primarily using it as a method to bring water to a boil for food rehydration…you can find some figures as to how much alcohol is necessary per day. Homemade alcohol stoves are super light and if you take the right amount of fuel it might be lighter than the set up you took.

Personally I’d lose the iPhone and just enjoy nature. That’s just me though.

Lose the pillow. Just roll up some clothes you aren’t wearing.

Decide how big a knife you really need. Perhaps the smallest Swiss army knife will do?

One bandana.

Can you do with one jacket instead of two?

Iodine pills instead of filter. Taste is compromised I’ll admit.

I’m not sure what the full face item you refer to is. If it is a balaclava try to determine what temperature you might really need that at.

Keep in mind there is nothing wrong with what you took. Nothing at all. Only lighten it up if it will make you happier and won’t sacrifice your safety margin.

Thanks for posting!

Even better than Iodine: micropur, aquamira or similar. No taste and safer than iodine.

Nalgene bottle are very heavy and unwieldy to pack. Platypus bladders are much lighter and their flat shape fits in bags better. Or sports bottles that will fit in you waterbottle cages, keeping the weight off your back and low on the bike. Or soda/juice bottles that are almost free and lightweight.

Just noticed: Nalgene bottles }-(. They are heavy and akward to pack and use. Platypus bladders are super light and easier to pack and dispense from. Or bike bottles to put the water in your bottle cages, keeping the weight low and off your back. Or soda/juice bottles: light and almost free.

Dithc the bungee cords. they are very heavy and not that secure. Use a slim tiedown strap( like a canoe tiedown but smaller) light and bomb proof.

RE the pillow comment: I disagree. if you are packing light, you will be wearing almost all clothes except for raingear, which will be insulating your legs. For me one pair of stinky socks doth not a pillow make. Instead if, like me, you will not go without one, get the inflatable ones from BPL. They are comfy,super light and super cheap.
Which brings me to the last point. Have you visited BPL? Read the book the put out? That would be great places to get more info on weight reduction(not bike specific).
Once again: what where your own results after use? what worked what did you miss?

I really appreciate all of the feedback. I know I brought way too much stuff, but it was march in Colorado so I didn’t want to get stuck in some unfavorable weather without at least some warm clothes. The next time I go up I will have my custom bags from epic designs putting the bulk of my weight off my back and low on the bike. I also wanted to intentionally bring as much weight as I thought I could handle without flippng over backwards on the uphill singletrack. I now have a way better idea of what I am going to bring that is actually necessary next time. This was the first of at least 6-7 practice bikepacking outings I will go on before riding the whole 535 mile trail in July. Between nowand then refine refine refine is the name of the game. Thanks again for the ideas guys I will use damn near all of your suggestions in the months to come. Thanks,
Clint K.

Oh yeah and Slim that’s one of the funniest things anyone’s said to me in awhile. “one pair of stinky socks doth not a pillow make!” I chuckled about that with some of my friends for awhile:)
Cheers buddy and thanks for the comments. I’m a pillow man myself. I’ll have to try the inflatable route. I’ll also have to look at the site you referred me to, as I haven’t had an opportunity to yet but I will!

Blow air into your hydro bladder and you have a nice pillow.

How do you like the REI +25 Halo? Is the comfort rating accurate? How small can it be compressed?

what is the address for BPL?

http://www.backpackinglight.com
Great site but some of the posters tend to get carried away and promote gear which might not stand up to hard use.