Lighten Your Pack

~ Steps toward ultra-lightweight backpacking ~

Julie LePage, Philip Werner, Kevin Sweere http://www.slideshare.net/sectionhiker

Other than the two books, no endorsements implied. Specific products named/shown reflect multiple online ratings and/or metrics.

Link to video"The Bare Necessities" written by Terry Gilkyson, from the animated 1967 Disney film The Jungle Book, sung by Phil Harris as Baloo and Bruce Reitherman as Mowgli.

Why Go Lighter?

• Because that ——->

looks ridiculous :)

• Less wear, less pain, less

energy used

• Less stuff = more agile

• Cover more miles, see new

places, a simpler life

• Gain comfort in your

efficiency & skills with less

• Be Prepared. For Life.

Heavy pack! Not fun.

What is Baseweight?The weight of ALMOST everything in your pack….

Copyright: Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping

You Now? Future you!

Copyright: Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping

Goal

4 lbs. worn + 9 lbs. base + 16 lbs. food/fuel

= 10 fun days in Rocky Mountains

Obstacles

• Lack of Knowledge

• Fear of being unprepared

• Compromising Comfort / Safety

• Higher Co$t ??

General Principles

• Simple, more efficient

• Pack to be safe, comfortable, secure

• Bring multipurpose, compact, useful, and

dependable items

• Big cuts first, little cuts later

• This is can be fun, creative & inexpensive!

1. Weigh everything

2. Carry less stuff

3. Share with others

4. Swap gear for skills

5. Lighten your feet

6. Rethink, Replace, Repackage

7. Multi-purpose

8. Only last …… replace the heaviest with better,

lighter, sometimes-expensive alternatives. Start

with the Big Three.

How?

The most important slide of all

1. Weigh & Document

Ozeri Pro Digital Kitchen Food Scale,

0-12 lbs., $17 shipped

Borrow or Buy a Kitchen or Postal / Shipping Scale

with Ounces and Grams

Digital Postal Shipping Postage Bench Scales

0-75 lbs., $19 shipped

1. Weigh & Document

Tablet / laptop: www.weighmygear.com

2. Carry Less Stuff

• What do you have that’s not on the packing list? Why?

• What didn’t you use last time?

• Can I carry less of one thing?

A 30-60 minutes exercise• Weigh everything• Write weight on the item and on paper• Fill your garbage bag w/ excess items • Mark items to fix with tape• Write down to-do’s on notepad.• Instructors question everything, give 1:1 reviews

Example: Non-Essentials + Oz. saved

Wallet 6

Watch 2

Food Pckging 4

Pillow 6

Extra Pot 8

Camp Shoes 10

Stuff Sacks 20

Book 10

Trowel 3

Repair Kit 4

Water Filter 15

Space Blanket 1

3rd Socks 4

3rd Underwear 2

Spare Tent Stake 1

Toilet Paper 2

Spare Batteries 2

Extra Day of Food 16

Altimeter 2

Camp Chair 20

Big Multi-tool 9

Candle Lantern 4

“Extra” Sweater 17

Save 10.5 lbs.

3. Share

• Group vs. Personal gear

• 3 Scouts in 3-person tent; only carry 1 tent

• Share stove, kitchen set, and main water treatment

• Share one, main first aid kit and repair kit

• Different lights and pocket knives per person

4. Swap Gear for Skills

• Understanding eliminates fear

• Read!

• Take classes, earn merit badges, etc.

• Go take a hike. Use gear in your house.

• The greater your skills, the more innovative and

resourceful you’ll be on the trail. You’ll need to

carry far less gear.

Best $10 you’ll ever spend

Practice at Home

• Wear backpacking clothes on weekend

• Pack school lunches – backpacker style

• Cook backpack meals with kitchen stove / tea kettle

• Camp out in backyard

• Use your packed toiletries, pack towel

• Walk the dog in your boots & pack

• Compare umbrella vs rain suit vs poncho while the

walking dog in heavy rain

• Find your personal perfect trail mix

Reduce Weight Priorities

Footware

Big Three

• Shelter

• Sleep System

• Backpack

Other Stuff

• Water / Meals

• Clothing

• Cookware & water

treatment

• First Aid Kit, Toiletries

Next biggest savings

Aim for 3-9 lbs. combined

Do last.

These take time, research,

cost more, and save less

weight

Multiply weight reduced by 5

5. Lighten Your Feet

Footwear

Benefits:

• For running, extreme ultralight

Tradeoffs:

• Less stable, durable, protection,

more cushioning, very $$$

Benefits:

• For off-trail & rocky, rugged,

stable, durable, for heavier loads

Tradeoffs:

• More $$, weight, energy. More

blisters, wetter. Maintenance.

Benefits:

• Overall Best for trails, lighter than

boots, stronger than sneakers,

for lighter-weight loads, dry faster

Tradeoffs:

• Less $$, less ankle support

Hiking Boot

Hiking Shoe

Trail Running Shoe

5. Lighten Your Feet

OutdoorGearLab’s Best Hiking Boot vs. Best Hiking Shoe

save 12.5 lbs. equiv. pack weight and $85**

$170, 3.62 lbs $85, 1.11 lbs

Remember to buy half-size too big shoesWear short, thin, lightweight, runner socks too

6. Rethink, Replace

6-man cabin tent

Bivy Bag2-man tent

All may weigh ~2 lbs. per person

Some are more fun on rainy, “indoor” days

Lesson: Adjust to your team & conditions

6. Rethink, Repackage

2 empty bottles = 12 oz 2 empty bottles = 2.5 oz

empty

Synch to fit your water treatment system

6. Replace, Repackage

0.3 oz

14.6 oz3.0 oz

Health Fact: In the backcountry, you are more likely to get sick from unwashed hands than untreated water.

6. Repackage

Make things tiny!• Bring only what you need for

that one trip

• Sunblock, lotions, water

treatment, etc.

• Label everything

Or Share

7. Multipurpose

Bandana/Buff• Towel, water filter, neck protection, pot

cleaner, tent drier, hat, hairband, hanky,

sand storm protection for face

Pot (Stove)• Can act as bowl, cup, washing vessel,

blueberry collector.

Hiking Poles• Tarps/tent poles; raise foodbag into tree

Backpack• Goes under legs when sleeping on 3/4 pad

Sleeping Pad• Pack’s frame + backpad; small foam

models are good sit pads

Socks• Mittens, for sleeping

Ziplocks / Stuffsacks• Repackage everything, first aid kit, wet

weather foot protection/warmth, water

scooper, in-sleeping bag foot warmer

8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)

Shelter

Benefits:

• Great for tree-filled forest, good air

flow, super comfy, inner bug net

Tradeoffs:

• Can be colder, still need pad, not

always light, $$$-$$$$

Benefits:

• super light, compact, good air

flow

Tradeoffs:

• Bugs*, can get wet from rain

splash-back, pole placemt, $$$

Benefits:

• Easy set up, good air flow, bug

net, full coverage, $$

Tradeoffs:

• Not as light/compact as tarp

Benefits:

• Small footprint, no fuss w/

poles/tarps, some have bug net

Tradeoffs:

• Can be TOO cozy, heavier than

tarp/not much lighter than LW

tent

Tarp

Lightweight Tent

Hammock

Bivy Sack

8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)

REI’s Top Rated Tent vs.

a Backpacking Light highly-rated tent

saves 2 lbs.

$219, 2.9 lbs / person $289, 0.9 lbs / person

Sleep System

Wear all your clothes

Ziploc bags = pillow

Perfect spot are in

warm, protected area

Not overkill

8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)

Sleep System

3/4 Sleeping Pad (vs full pad)

Down Sleeping Quilt (vs mummy bag)

Benefits:• Lighter, more compact, less $$

Tradeoffs:• Might be less comfy / warm

• Must synch w/ quilt

Benefits:• Lighter, more compact, very adjustable

Tradeoffs:• Just different, needs good sleeping pad

8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)

REI’s popular bag & pad vs.

OutdoorGearLab well-rated bag & pad

saves 4.7 lbs. but expensive

Popular bag and self-inflating pad

$180, 6.5 lbs.Quilt and air mattress

$350, 1.8 lbs

8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)

Backpack• Weigh 1 - 2 lbs.

• Super light materials

• Same price as reg packs

Benefits:• Light!

• Simple designs, no fuss

Tradeoffs:

• Less back ventilation

• Weight & capacity limits

• Treat with more care

• Some only good for summer

8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)

Typical ScoutStuff.org pack vs.

3 decades popular ultralight pack

saves 3.8 lbs.

Common Boy Scout pack

$150, 4.9 lbsPopular DIY pack

$120, 1.1 lbs

Some cheap ideas…

Food• Walmart’s many dried, specialty foods

• One container for everything (e.g. pre-

loaded Ziploc meals)

Underwear / Socks• Wash 1 set at night, dry during day

Headlamp• Use only fresh lithium batteries; leave

extra batteries at home

Winter• Bubble-wrap sleeping pad + used down

comforter over-blanket + silver

‘emergency blanket’ vapor liner + hat

Borrow / Rent gear • local outfitters and university Rec

Centers

Buy Used

Keep a loaded pack (to prevent last-minute pile everything

in panic)

DIY!Cooking System• zenstoves.com

• Safer: tomato paste can + fuel tabs +

Caldera Cone stove system

Clothes & Gear• http://jasonklass.webs.com

• https://diygearsupply.com

• http://thru-hiker.com/projects/

• http://www.backpacking.net/homemade/

• http://www.backpackinglight.com/forums

Food• http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-

Projects-for-Backpackers/ DIY Pot Cozy

DIY Alcohol Stove

Great but banned in Boy Scouts

DIY Stuff Sack

Hiker Bars

Resources

Hiker Blogs• SectionHiker.com

• BackpackingNorth.com

• Hikelighter.com

What gear is best?• OutdoorGearLab.com

• Backpacker Magazine

annual gear edition, Editors Choice

Best $8 you’ll ever spend