The rope I bring for a clothesline is certainly strong enough to lower my pack on. I did get it from a climbing store and it was the smallest they had but it's larger then parachute cord. Since I have only ever used it for a clothesline I should replace it with something smaller to be lighter.
I'm not sure how great two bandannas would be to dry your whole body after a shower. I have to use it at the resorts also.
First aid- Take first aid gear appropriate to your training.
My knowledge of first aid is fairly rudimentary. As mentioned I never go to any doctors or take any medications so my knowledge of them is basic. I have been certified in basic first aid and CPR but anyone who has taken that knows it doesn't amount for much.
I do bring nail clippers.
My experience is that I do not get infections easily in the outdoors.
That's not surprising since the Sierra is so clean.
Dry hands is generally not a problem I have. I do tend to wear gloves as I hike for mosquito and sun protection but near the end of my hike last year I didn't wear them as much. You get a good tan and no longer burn and no winged demons to bite you.
As for feet I tend to try and let them cool off when I take breaks by taking off my boots and I wash daily. I tend to keep up on personal hygiene a bit more then I see from most hikers while on the trail. That's why I take 3 socks and shirts so I can change them daily and then do laundry every other day. Most guys I run across don't even bother wearing deodorant while in the back country but I still do!
5-toe waders- a bit heavy. I use crocks most the time and simply wade in my hiking shoes if the crossing is really tough. I find that in a really swift crossing I want a laced-on shoe. My hiking shoes usually dry quite quickly anyway so do not be afraid of getting shoes wet if it is needed to stay safe during crossings
Yeah they are a bit heavy and I did think of going with something lighter like crocks but they are far more functional then crocks would be. My boots are full grain leather and goretex so it's unlikely they will dry very fast especially if the crossing I get them wet on is late in the day.
You have CHOSEN to trade comfort and safety gear (more warm clothing) for your "hobby" gear - camera gear and journal -trip recording stuff. I make no judgement of that. It is your trip. You will be coming out now and then to resupply. Your gear list is not set in stone. Nothing wrong with adding or deleting something half-way through your trip. Take enough cash (or credit card) so that you can buy gear if needed. Also, gear does wear out. Be aware that shoes can fall apart - duct tape and super-glue is great for temporary fixes.
It's not so much trading it as I judge what I have to be sufficient. Last year being out from July 10th to September 18th I used my down jacket for warmth a total of 0 times. Even at Lake South America when it was 15F and the wind was blowing 40MPH I only had on my rain shell and it was warm enough. My legs don't tend to ever feel cold. Also if things did get very cold I would have 3 shirts I could layer up on.
Your right though that as time goes on I will send stuff home I don't need. Buying gear will be a possibility the whole way since I plan to have at least 1500 dollars while on the trail. If I last until October and decide I need some thermals there are a couple locations I could probably pick up some.
The shoes is what I worry about wearing out the most. I bought the vioz GT boots because I think their design is likely to last longer because they don't have stitching all over them. The last two years I used Merrell boots and both times within a week on the trail holes were forming where stitching failed.
