The scoop on traveling ultra-light
Posted on May 20th, 2008 – 8:17 AMBy Chris Welsch
One of our campsites — Little Claire Lake — in Sequoia National Park.
I received something unexpected in the mail last Friday. It was a hand-written letter (first one I’ve gotten in months.) The writer, Hans E. Arlton, said that he normally enjoys my articles but that the recent tale about backpacking in Sequoia National Park puzzled him. “Why would anyone carry a 50-pound pack today? When I started wilderness camping in the ’70s, I used a 35 lb kit. Now it’s half that.” He enclosed a list of his gear for a 13-day trek on the distance of the John Muir Trail; The sum total? 17 pounds, 10 ounces. Plus 12 pounds of food.
I have gone on serious backpacking trips only four times in my life. I don’t own a good light backpack. I had borrowed a friend’s vintage Lowe backpack, which by itself weighs 6 pounds. I also had a 4.5 pound sleeping bag. And, I’ll admit it, I overpacked on clothes. But I also don’t own the latest ultralight doo-dads. Arlton goes on to upbraid me (gently) a little more. “The question is not what you ‘need’ to bring. It’s how much risk, deprivation and discomfort are you willing to assume.”
I had a great time on that trip, and I enjoyed myself. But there was a fellow on the trip who managed even better with just 35 pounds of gear (including his 12 pounds of food) and it convinced me I need to try to lighten up next time. I wrote back to Mr. Arlton, and swore on a titanium camp cup that I will pare down next time. And i’ll buy my own ultralight backpack and bag. It’s time. Anyone else care to “weigh in” on the topic?
11 Responses to "The scoop on traveling ultra-light"
Getting it under 50 pounds can be expensive, but can be done.
It would be nice to see the lightweight equipment list mentioned.
Once, I accompanied some Scouts on a
six day Isle Royal hike, about thirty miles worth.
We had only canoe camping equipment and canoe camping experience. We were way overloaded, my share of the load was over 80 pounds.
Though I never had previous problems to warn me, my knees wouldn’t handle that much weight.
But, the kids were HS Freshman and so I dared not give them any more of it.
We solved the problem by staying at a site a couple days to eat some of the too much food we brought.
But, if I should ever go on a backpack trip again I will never ever attempt to carry so much weight.
Ultralight backpacking is fantastic. There are entire web communities dedicated to the topic, and once you’ve tried it, you’ll understand why.
I find that it’s not about having the latest ultralight gizmos; rather, it’s about understanding what you really need and bringing nothing more than that.
I think it is pretty common for people getting into backpacking to start with cheaper gear. I mean, why spend tons of money on the shiniest sexiest gear if you don’t wind up liking the activity? Then over time, things are replaced and upgraded peace meal. As gopherguy06 says, it can get pretty expensive. Ultimately, it comes down to the importance of a few ounces here and there and how those ounces balance with with the weightiness of your bank account.
While a sub-30 (or even a sub-20) pound bag is great, it is totally possible to go out and have a wonderful backpacking trip with cheaper and heavier gear. It can be pretty daunting to go to a place like Midwest Mountaineering or REI and see $150 water filters, $300 tents, $200 sleeping bags, $250 backpacks (not to mention the outrageously priced clothing), and just give up ’cause it seems like those are needs. In the end I believe it is more important to get outside than to have the fanciest gear.
You don’t need to purchase super expensive gear to get your pack a little lighter. Ever been in a Taco Bell and had to use a spork from there? How much did that cost? Will it work for your trip? Probably, how much does it weigh? Next to nothing. Need some camp sandals? Make a pair out of your old shoe insole and use the laces to attach it to your foot. You don’t need a $150 water filter when Aqua Mira will work just fine for $8. Though there is nothing wrong with Midwest and REI, I frequent both.
Check out http://www.backpackinglight.com for more information on packing light.
getting your weight down is extremly important. Coleman makes a varity of products for back packing that are very small, light weight, and not that expensive. 50 to 75 pounds should be your max weight for guys and 30 to 40 for women. But is is all in the pack. Getting a good back with an excellent internal frame makes all the difference. It also helps to use a walking stick when hiking. Food and water. Take only non-perishable items such as noodles, granola, nuts, and my fav cheese and curred meat logs. All of my equipment cost me about $300 over the years. Oh ya find a good sleeping bag (three pounds or less) and tent (five pounds or less). a three day trip I have every thing I need and my pack dosent weigh more then 60 pounds. With that weight I can do about 10 miles a day.
For OldManWinter, here’s Mr. Arlton’s gear list: Go-Lite gust pack, 19 oz.; 30 degree down bag, 2lb 8 oz; thermarest ultralight pad, 12 oz; sierra designs flash magic 3 tent, 3 lbs.; rain jacket (Lowe) 1 lb 6 oz; polar fleece 100 shirt, 15 oz; 2 polypro mesh shirts 10 oz.; convert. pants, 13 0z; fishnet longjohns, 10 oz.; straw hat, 4 oz; trail running shoes, 1 1b 4 14 oz; 3 pr wool cycling socks, 3 pr hosiery (liners), 11 oz; 2 liter hydration bladder and iodine, 6 oz; plastic cup, metal bowl, spoon, 3 oz; (personal kit: small knife, 2 lighters, vitamins, ibuprofen, lip balm, sunscreen, antibiotic ointment, cornstarch, small camera, 3 rolls film) 2 lbs; petzl zipka 2.2 oz and maglite single AAA 1 oz
total 17 pounds 10 oz plus 2 pounds of food per day.
Arlton sent a list with two other people’s gear, which included stove and fuel; he didn’t have that on his list.
Chris, My wife and I will be doing a presentation on lightening your pack at our Outdoor Adventure Expo, Nov. 21-23, 2008.
30 Ways to Lighten Your Pack
By Rod Johnson
Take Less
Bring only the clothing you are wearing
No extra food, No extra fuel, No extra water
Nylon convertible pants
Quick dry nylon shirt with rollup sleeves
Don’t bring rain pants if rain is unlikely
Small piece of cotton tee shirt for wash cloth
Cut part of your book off
Use a small pack
Bring only needed map or guide book sections
Eat from the pot you cook in
Personal items in a Ziploc bag
First Aid Kit in Ziplocs = Band-Aids, Blister Pads, antibiotic ointment, Ibuprofen
Re-package pills, etc. in small Ziplocs
Buy small size sunscreen, DEET, toothpaste, hand sanitizer
Deodorant in Chapstick tube
Use Lighter Equipment
Weigh everything
Lightweight tent, tarp or bivy sack
Down instead of fleece
Merino wool is soft, warm when wet and doesn’t retain odors
Small Swiss Army knife
Aquamira or iodine tablets
LED headlamp or flashlight
Small digital camera
Titanium spork or spoon
Zinetics or Crocs for camp shoes
Become More Skillful
Experiment - try different techniques
Read ultralight backpacking books
Cache food and supplies
Prepare the ground you sleep on
Share with your partner (clothing, headlamp, cup, quilt, etc.)
Make do with things at hand
Use a pack without a hipbelt
MIDWEST MOUNTAINEERING
309 Cedar Ave. S, Mpls., (612) 339-3433 http://www.midwestmtn.com
Rod and Sharon’s Latest and Greatest Lightweight Gear List
Midwest Mountaineering http://www.midwestmtn.com
PACKS
Ultralight
Cooke Custom Sewing Ultralight approx. 2800 cu. in. 6 oz $95.95
Granite Gear Virga 3200 cu. in. 1 lb. 3 oz. $109.95
Go Lite Jam2 3000 cu. In. 1 lb. 5 oz. $ 99.50
Go Lite Pinnacle 4500 cu. In. 1 lb. 9 oz. $129.50
Lightweight
Granite Gear Vapor Trail 3600 cu. in. 2 lb. $159.50
Gregory Advent Pro 2200 cu. In. 2 lb. 9 oz. $148.50
Osprey Talon 33 2000 cu. In. 1lb 14oz. $128.50
Osprey Talon 44 2600 cu. In. 2 lb. 7 oz. $158.50
Osprey Atmos 65 4000 cu. in. 3 lb. 10 oz. $228.50
Osprey Aura 65 women’s 4000 cu. in. 3 lb. 10 oz. $228.50
Go Lite Quest 4250 cu. In. 3 lb. 2 oz. $174.50
Women’s models of above Golite packs are available also
TENTS – SHELTER
Ultralight
Black Diamond LIghthouse W/B 3 lb. 7 oz. $369 (not fire retardant, so we can’t sell it in MN, but some Internet companies will sell it to you)
GoLite Shangrila 3 2 lbs. 7 oz. $219.50
Mountain Hardwear Stiletto 1 2 lb. 5 oz. $324.50
Integral Designs Sil-nylon 8×10 Tarp 2 12 oz. $134.95
Lightweight
MSR Hubba Hubba 2 person 3 lb. 14 oz. $299.50
Mountain Hardwear Lightpath 2 3 lb. 14 oz. $159.50
Mountain Hardwear SkyLedge 2.1 4 lbs. 4 oz. $324.50
SLEEPING BAGS
Western Mountaineering Ultralight MF 20° 1 lb. 10 oz. $329.50
Western Mountaineering Alder MF 40o 16 oz. $309.50
Western Mountaineering SummerLite 32o 1 lb. 3 oz. $299.50
Western Mountaineering MegaLite 30o 1 lb. 8 oz. $314.50
Western Mountaineering AlpinLite Super MF 20o 1 lb. 15 oz. $374.50
Western Mountaineering Puma MF -25o 3 lbs. 7 oz. $579.50
GoLite Venture 40 40o 1 lb. 5 oz. $259.50
GoLite Ultra 20 20o 1 lb. 3 oz. $239.50
Lafuma X600 45o 12 lb. 3 oz. $64.95
CLOTHING
Rab Drillium 12.3 oz. $275
North Face Diad 12 oz. $275
Marmot PreCip W/B 14 oz. $100
Marmot Oracle W/B 16 oz. $160
North Face Hydrogen wind jacket 3.1 oz. $99
MontBell UL Jacket down 7.3 oz. $140
Patagonia Down Sweater 10.5 oz. $199
North Face Flash Jacket down 13.6 oz. $229
Mountain Hardwear Compressor Primaloft 14 oz. $170
STOVES
JetBoil Cooking System, includes pot & heat exchanger 12 oz. + 8 oz. Fuel $89.95
MSR Reactor 21.6 oz. + 8 oz. Fuel $139.95
Esbit (good for warming, not boiling) 3.25 oz. + .5 oz. / tab $9.95
MISC.
New LED 1 watt Headlamps and Flashlights ~$43
Petzl E-Light .9 oz. $29.95
Brunton 28NL Micro Compass .7 oz. $7.95
Prices and weights subject to change without notice.
I guess I don’t see the need to go superlight. Granted I am a very large in shape man, but if I keep my summer pack to 50lbs and and winter to 70lbs, it seems like a good trade off of comfort and mobility. BTW, Midwest Mountaineering rules!
I agree that it’s completely possible to get light without spending a ton of money. You can easily find a solo tent in the 3-4 lb range for around $100, and a 20 degree bag under 4 lbs for less than $100. (Check out the sales on REI and Campmor if you don’t believe me)
But more important is the idea of taking only what you need. You don’t have to shop in the expensive ultralight section to get your packweight down to a more reasonable level.
I’ve had the pleasure of doing lightweight trips, ultra heavy trips, and everything in between. I feel that each has its place depending upon the conditions and your experience. As some folks have pointed out, you can spend lots of money on gear or do it on the cheap (e.g. pop can stove and thrift store clothing).
How little you carry should depend upon how much you’re willing to forego having some of the creature comforts of traditional backpacking. There’s a continuum of comforts/weight and folks need to figure out where they’re most comfortable on it.
As Pete suggested, a great resources is Backpacking Light magazine. They also offer a free e-newsletter and the “bible” of ultralight backpacking. Ryan Jordan, their editor has just contributed a series of articles for the North Country Trail Association’s member magazine, the North Star.
Kerri Westenberg has globe-trotted for National Geographic and other magazines. Now she zips around the region, on the lookout for travel news you can use.
Chris Welsch has traveled to more than 40 countries on six continents; he is as enamored of the Great Plains as he is of the Great Barrier Reef.
Elizabeth Larsen lived in Salzburg, Austria, and has traveled throughout Europe and the Americas. She can say "diaper," "bottle" and "crib" in four languages.
Troy Melhus has heli-skied on glaciers, dived alongside Monk seals and raced for 24 hours on a mountain bike. All this, and he rarely spends more than $500 on a trip.