rich5665,
You're making great progress at lightening your load!
I say, for the moment, with your stated changes, go with what you have - make notes about what is working for you and what isn't (or what could be 'better'), and, especially, what you do NOT use (can be ditched the next time out)...
For the 'long term' future, a few random thoughts on your gear list and some of the others' suggestions:
I did not see any specifics (but maybe I missed some!) on how long a section (other than your "25 year plan on the AT", which equates to 80-100 mile sections), nor how many days 'out' you plan for this hike - if you are in fair trail shape, 80 miles can be done in ~5 or 6 days if this is a 'hiking' trek versus a 'camping' trip... It can also make a difference many times in what you take - your gear list doesn't have many 'camp' luxuries, so you seem to be concentrating on lightening your load for 'hiking'...
Long distance hiking is more about the 'hiking' than the 'camping' aspect and lightening your load even further will make the hike(s) both 'easier' plus much more
enjoyable! 
A lighter pack is in your future, but you are correct in waiting until you are further along lightening your load - you are better off waiting until you have a good (final?) idea of your load weight and volume... There are many packs under 2# that can still comfortably haul a 35# load (when hauling full compliment of food, fuel, water for a long haul)...
Yes, ditch the pack cover (since you have the liner, plus have decided to go with a poncho for rain gear - a poncho can go over your pack if needed)...
Your tarp is light enough for now, but perhaps save your money for a future Cuben tarp at half the weight and more coverage ('doors'!!)...
I certainly agree with going with a top quilt vs. your current sleeping bag! (my HG 20* Burrow is ~20 oz.) You also might consider (saving up your money, again) a down 3/4 under quilt (HG 20* Phoenix is ~17 oz. plus much less VOLUME than your full length KAQ - an ensolite or TaR 'sit pad' can be used for foot/calf insulation if needed)...
BTW, you do have 2 compasses listed under "Misc Essentials" (Brunton 7DNL & Silva Polaris)
- a minor 1 oz. detail...
First aid kit could be a little lighter... So could the knife... And, yes, ditch the multi-tool...
Clothing - a bit too much(?), maybe go for some more versatility? - 1 long sleeve, 1 short sleeve (the one you're 'wearing') or only one long sleeve (pull the sleeves up if you're too warm hiking); only 2 pair socks total for hiking, maybe 1 pair extra for dedicated 'sleep socks' if you have 'cold feet'; you've already dropped weight on the poncho, you can drop a lot of weight substituting much lighter outer insulation for the EB (yeah, there's that money thing yet again)... You might also consider adding an UL wind shirt - good not only for cool wind, but also for fog/drizzle/light rain, and it's another 'layer' for warmth, too...
Water filter: consider the Sawyer Squeeze - much lighter - though the included squeeze bags are its weak point, you can rig it up as a gravity filter or sub plastic soda or water bottles to 'squeeze' with...
Yes, ditch the 1 quart hard Nalgene bottles - unless you might want to keep 1 for 'mixing' a morning breakfast shake or such (but a Gatorade bottle is also good for that)...
You won't need two large canisters of fuel for a 'section' hike (assuming it's in the 80-100 mile range) (or is the "8 oz." listed only '4 oz.' of fuel in its canister??) - amount of fuel required will depend on how many days 'out' and how any times per day you will 'cook' - you will 'learn' over time what you use personally (might want to 'experiment' at home some more ahead of time)...
Food - for section hikes, 'some' freeze-dried meals might be okay, but it is much cheaper to go with previously mentioned Lipton 'Sides' and/or mashed potatoes or stuffing or ramen with added tuna, salmon, chicken, olive oil, spices, etc. - a slight weight penalty over the freeze-dried, perhaps, but much more filling and a major calorie boost at the same time! (which you will appreciate both after being out on the trail a few days!!)
Back to the clothing - are you hiking
barefoot (other than socks)? I don't see any 'outer' footwear listed...... The lighter your load becomes, the lighter your footwear can be, too, in the future... I believe the "a pound on the foot is the same as 5 pounds in the pack" adage... I also concur with losing some excess body weight ahead of time, but also have to agree that it's "easier said than done"!!
One other note: base pack weight usually doesn't include 'consumables' (food, water, fuel), but it does include the 'containers' (water bottles, food bag, fuel bottle or canister)... The 'containers' are a constant weight throughout your hike, but the 'consumable' food & fuel get lighter every day (water varies - but I usually only count one quart as being carried for weight purposes, which is listed under 'consumables' on my gear lists)... I do suggest you add one more category (column) for your consumables and their weights to your spreadsheet...
Final observation: I think your "25 year plan on the AT" will ultimately fail...
WHY? you ask... I honestly (and hopefully) think that after a few 'section' hikes, you will decide to do much longer sections (thus drastically shortening the 25 year plan) or even attempt a full thru-hike...
Whatever, whichever, I wish you the best in both lightening your load and on the trail!
Happy trails!!!
Jim (PITA)
Originally Posted by rich5665
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