Gear List: Cordillera Blanca Traverse (2022)

ITEM WT. (OZ) SUB (oz) SUB (kg) COMMENTS           BACKPACK         MLD Burn DCF        16     Ultralight, frameless, slim profile – I’ve been using different incarnations of the Burn since the mid-2000s / I’ve had the DCF model since 2018. Pack Liner (Trash Compactor Bag)         2     Cheap & effective           18       0.51   SHELTER         Tarptent Aeon Li      16.8     Uber-lite, holds up pretty well in stormy conditions when pitched low (108cm)/ Very roomy for something which weighs around a pound. Mixture of models (6) – Mostly MSR Groundhogs with a couple of shepherd’s hooks.       1.7               18.5       0.52   SLEEPING SYSTEM         Pad – Thermarest NeoAir XLite (Regular Wide/Modified)        12     Very comfy / Doubles as makeshift framesheet for pack/  (See 20,000 + mile review). Quilt – Katabatic Alsek 22 (Long / 900fp)      22.2     Conservatively rated 22°F / More than 900 nights using Katabatic quilts since 2011.           34.2       0.97   KITCHEN         LokSak 20×12 (Food Bag)       1.2     Food storage bag of choice since the mid 2000s. I often hear people complain about the seals breaking quickly, but I’ve always found them to be fairly durable (4 to 6 weeks of daily use) if you don’t overfill them.  Toaks 700ml Titanium Pot 3.1     Toaks Titanium Siphon Alcohol Stove 
0.7     Toaks Titanium Alcohol Stove Pot Stand 1.2     Titanium Long-handled spoon       0.7     SmartWater Bottles 1 LT (2)       2.6                 9.5       0.27   FIRST AID / HYGIENE         Sunscreen (repackaged in tiny bottle)         Hand Sanitizer (repackaged in dropper bottle)       Aquamira (repackaged in dropper bottles)       Purification method of choice since 2007. Toothbrush         Toothpaste (mini tube)         Dental Floss       Doubles as sewing thread Antiseptic Wipes (2)       Clean cuts/wounds Gauze         Triple Antibiotic Cream (tiny tube)         3M Micropore Medical Tape       Breathable, paper tape / Adheres well. Ibuprofen (6)       Sewing Needle       Tenacious Tape/Duct Tape, Mini Tube Super Glue (repairs)                   4       0.11   CLOTHES         Rain Pants – Montbell Versalite       3.2     Very light and water-resistant. Fine for on-trail hiking, care needs to be taken when heading off-trail/bushwhacking. Thermal Underwear – Montbell Super Merino Middle Weight Tights        6       Rain Jacket – Montbell Peak Dry Shell       7.5     Double thumbs up. Rain jacket of choice the past couple of years. I’ve found it to be more durable than the spiel on the Montbell website would indicate. Insulation – Insulation – Montane Allez Hoodie       6.7     Huge fan of this durable fleece, which I’ve owned for the past couple of years / Good active layer – not too heavy, not too light/ Nice fitting hood. Insulation – Montbell 1000 Alpine Down Parka       9.1     Great warmth-to-weight ratio. Upgrade over long-time favorite 3-season puffy, the Superior Down Parka. Extra Socks – Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew        2.6     Kept dry for sleeping/ Doubled as mittens when temps dipped well below freezing. Buff (Original Polyester)       1.4   Beanie, neck/face protection, condensation wipe, convenience store holdups if low on cash. Montbell Chameece Liner gloves       0.9     Almost four years of regular use and still going strong / Easily the best liner gloves I’ve used. Montbell Dry Tec Over Mittens  3.2                 40.6       1.15   MISCELLANEOUS         Phone – iPhone 11       7.1     Otter Symmetry case for iPhone 11 (orange)       1.3     Camera – Sony A6400  27     Upgraded to the A6400 with an 18-135mm lens in 2020. Happy with the results so far. Stuff sacks – HMG Cuben Fiber (2)       2.4       Headlamp – Nitecore NU25       1.8     Excellent rechargeable headlamp. Most of the time I tend to use the low red setting to preserve night vision.  Montbell Trail Wallet (orange model)       0.5     Love this little wallet. Use it both on trail and off. Orange color makes it harder to lose. Swiss Army Classic       0.7     For a long time, I really only used the tweezers and scissors, but in recent years I’ve carried more cheese and veggies on shorter hikes, meaning that I now use the knife as much or more than the other two features.  Compass – Suunto M-3G Global Pro      1.6     Adjustable declination and globally balanced needle (more responsive than my old Suunto M-2).  Small pen      0.3       Deuce of Spades potty trowel      0.6       Map Bag – Quart Size Ziploc      0.2 Keeps maps clean, dry & organized. Montbell Alpine Carbon Pole Cam Lock        7.1 Upgraded after many years of using the Fizans, due to the fact that I’ve had the twist-lock mechanism fail on me a couple of times in extreme conditions / Cam (flip) lock is easier to handle, more secure, and worth the extra ounce and a half. (Note: The 2022 model is lighter, tipping the scales at 6.7 oz).           50.7       1.44              BASE WEIGHT TOTAL     11 lb       5 kg             ITEMS WORN         Shorts – Patagonia Baggies 7″       6.7     Hiking shorts of choice since 2014/15. The 7″ are long enough that they can be used on trail but still look respectable around town. See Review. Base layer – Patagonia Tropic Comfort 2 Hoody       6.6     Light, airy, dries quickly, and good sun protection when combined with the baseball cap. Hat – CDT Baseball Cap       3.2     Shoes – La Sportiva Ultra Raptors (size 46.5)       26.4     Converted to the Ultra Raptors for extended stretches in rugged terrain a couple of years ago. Double thumbs up. Amazingly durable. 600 miles plus per pair. Socks – REI Merino Wool liners       1.6 Still my favourite liner socks, though the current models aren’t as durable as the pre-2013 versions. Dirty Girl Gaiters       1.2 Handy for keeping out dirt and mud. I’ve been using DG’s since 2007.  GPS Watch – Suunto Ambit3 Peak       3     Good battery life and GPS accuracy. Sunglasses       0.8     Polarized lenses, 100% UV protection, wrap-around.        49.6    1.41             TOTAL WEIGHT       14 lb     6.4 kg