As a hiker (including Sierras), my essentials closely mimic yours, but personal preference/priorities have signal mirror and whistle included in first "critical" list. Maybe ahead of extra clothing, depending on weather, time of year, conditions, hike location etc.
In event of impaired mobility caused by mishap -- say broken leg or worse -- and maybe where fuel for signal fire not abundant, I absolutely want to have signaling basics well-covered.
Good points, and I agree with you that depending on the time of year and the weather, priorities will shift.
Here in the part of Los Angeles where I live the high over the next few days is going to be around 100F/38C and the low 70F/21C. In heat like that, extra clothing is hardly a primary concern.
HJ
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