well, I tried really hard to get below five pounds for my latest section hike on the AT, inspired by buying a GG Murmur pack and an Edge tarp... and came really really close. I hiked from Sam's Gap south to Max Patch in three days, averaging over 20 miles a day, in what was memorably hot weather for me. I was remarkably comfortable with the following:

Pack:
Gossamer Gear Murmur with 1 section sit pad,
GG plastic liner and mini-biner 10oz

Sleep/shelter system:
Western Mountaineering High Lite mummy 5’-6” 15 oz.
JRB custom torso length underquilt 12 oz.
Travel hammock Ultralight with ridge line, misc. suspension shock chord
and mini-biners with HH tree huggers 14 oz.
Warbonnet “The Edge” with 4 titanium stakes and
Whoopie Sling 2-line ridgeline and guys 10 oz.
JRB modified DriDucks poncho undercover 9 oz.
100% deet, head net in zip lock bag 1 oz.
Sit pad for under feet counted above

Toiletries:
Toilet paper, wet wipes, purell in zip lock bag 1 oz.

Clothes:
The Underwear Guys neoprene socks 3 oz.
Extra pair of socks 1 oz.
JRB modified DriDucks poncho counted above
JRB torso UQ as jacket counted above
Patagonia wind shirt 4 oz.

Misc:
Zip lock bag containing –
30’ 100 pound test kite string on winder
Mini bottle lens cleaner
Duct tape
Pencil
Aqua Mira with extra cap and bag
10 tablets ibuprofen
Toothbrush, floss, toothpaste
Princeton Tec headlamp
Hydropel
Trail guide sheet in ziplock
Ear plugs in ziplock
Vitamins
Single edged razor in cardboard sheath
Bacitracin 12 oz.

Water Bottles:
2 gatorade ¾ liter bottles 1 oz.
Total 93 oz. or 5 lbs. 13 oz.


not quite sure I want to lose any more weight... and starting to think about a fall and a winter packing list. I know I could do summer under hammock insulation for a few onces less, but I like the comfort, and any other change will get me just a few grams, I think. I am particularly happy with GG Murmur, the Whoopie Sling tarp suspension and The Edge tarp. Oh, and yes, I don't bring a stove in the summer...