by Jill Schuman |
July 21, 2017
|
Pacific Crest Trail, Photo by Bob Wick, BLM.
Ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers are famous (or perhaps infamous) for the seemingly crazy lengths they go to lighten their backpack. If you’re looking to drop a couple pounds from your base weight, try utilizing these four ultralight backpacking tips. (See our story from June for more ideas.)
- Replace your tent stakes
When you’re talking ounces, replacing the tent manufacturer’s stakes with an ultralight version can save you up to two, three, maybe even four ounces. We like Gossamer Gear’s ultralight titanium stakes, which weigh roughly .2oz each. Or, you can go sans stakes and use rocks to stretch out your tent.
- Carry fewer electronics
GPS. Phone. Camera. Portable battery chargers. Solar panels. And then all the cables that go with them. Experience nature with fewer screens. If you have a good smartphone, you can download a GPS app – like GAIA – and use the built-camera. That automatically eliminates two devices in your backpack.
- Make a DIY pillow
Why carry a pillow (11 oz.) when you can make one yourself when you get to camp? Fill a stuff – like the one you carry your sleeping bag in – with your extra layers: rain gear, insulating jacket, extra pair of socks.
- Pack for the weather
Check the highs and lows, chance for precipitation, or other weather events. If it’s not going to be too cold, there’s no need to pack a winter weight jacket. Are you hiking in the desert with 0% chance of rain? Try swapping out your normal rain gear for an ultralight and compressible water-resistant running smock. Of course, it should go without saying, you should always have your basic layers to keep you warm and dry in case of an emergency.
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by Jill Schuman |
January 29, 2016
|
As a hiking enthusiast, my philosophy is to make sure I balance weight and safety. Indeed, anyone who has hiked for an extended period of time knows the value of lightening the weight you carry. A lighter backpack can not only help propel you up that menacing hill, or help your knees on the backside of that hill, but also can help you to enjoy the overall venture even more.
My favorite backpacks combine light weight, comfortable wear and convenient gear organization. For day-hikes, Osprey has one of the largest and most diverse lineups of backpacks on the market. From the Talon/Tempest series to the Sirrus and Stratos, Osprey has a huge variety of comfortable packs with features for everyone’s needs and purposes. Most Osprey packs feature a curved aluminum frame and a perforated back panel to maximize airflow between the pack and your back.
Weight becomes much more of an issue on weekend and multi-day backpacking trips when you are carrying several days worth of food, equipment and an array of gear. The best advice I have for packing light is to KIS: Keep It Simple. If you have invested in a complete kit of ultralight gear and are well versed in the practice of minimalism, I would recommend checking out the selection of packs from Hyperlite Mountain Gear or the Osprey Exos, a very comfortable ultralight pack.
However, if your base weight (the amount your pack weights before food and water) is over 15-20lbs, an ultralight pack will do more harm than good as it doesn’t have the support system to comfortably carry that much weight. The Osprey Atmos/Aura AG series is truly one of the most comfortable packs I’ve ever worn when carrying any amount of weight. The Osprey Anti-Gravity suspension system is truly remarkable and is great for weekend or multi-day backpacking trips.
Stay tunes for more light packing tips next week….
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Pacific Crest Trail, 
