This past weekend, I attended the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association (ALDHA) conference in No. Adams, Massachusetts. There is also a sister organization known as the American Long Distance Hiking Association. They meet on the west coast at a different time.
Of the many workshops I attended, one dealt with ultra light backpacking. There are pros and cons about going ultra light, but over the years more and more hikers have gone lighter, and when they do, many become ultra light converts. The person holding the five-pound pack on his little finger is Monty Tam, who thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail with an average pack weight of less than five pounds!
Backpack weight refers to baseweight and does not include water, food, or trekking poles. But it includes everything else. Monty’s list of gear is shown below. Although I admire monty’s ultra light system, I wouldn’t be able to do it. Probably because I’m older and want more comfort and backup.
Another ultra light backpack was shown by Carl Rush (sp), and I believe he said his pack (seen in the other picture) weighed ten to twelve pounds, depending on options. His gear list is at the bottom of this post. Again, trekking poles, food, and water are not included in baseweight.
Do what works best for you. Many hikers out there still carry close to fifty pounds. I did the Appalachian Trail in ’03 at about 44 pounds. On the Pacific Crest Trail in ’07, I struggled to reduce pack weight and got it down to 35 pounds. Now, with the newer materials and studying what others like Monty and Carl do, I hike with a baseweight of 25-30 pounds. I don’t feel I’ll ever get below 25 pounds.
Stay in your comfort zone. Be prepared for changes in weather and bring backup gear. Most of all, enjoy yourself.
6ZX4SQKAMTQX
Very Impressive, But I don’t know if I would want to go quite that light. There are a few creature comforts that I’d like. I am trying to stay light though. I hope to get or make myself a custom UL pack. I just picked up a lighter down sleeping bag (1lb 6oz) and a tarp (20 oz). That should shave off a bunch, but I’m actually thinking of picking up a heavier sleeping pad… My 7oz pad is a bit thin for me.
The concept is cool and I see its benefits though!
Yes, like you, I feel the same way. Although my RidgeRest is a lighter pad, the heavier Thermarest is more comfortable. The “ultra” concept is great, but I don’t like living/hiking on the edge. Nevertheless, I always try to reduce my pack weight.
Cool! That’s a cleevr way of looking at it!