Lighten Up!
For my last two trips I feel like I’ve really taken my pack weight to task. Before I left for Spider Meadows with Gabe I went through and over every piece of gear we took and scrutinized it before setting it in the pile to pack. I even went as far as repackaging food and other items. For instance I stripped any redundant items and did not bring them. I repackaged my first aid kit in a zip lock back instead of the zippered pouch it came in.
I think Gabe thought I was nuts at first. He said but that isn’t very heavy, but when I took all the stripped items and put them all in his hands he was like oh, okay, then he kinda got into it as well.
I still think I can get lighter. Which I have done since. For Spider Meadows my pack was 46lbs with everything including food and water for me and Gabe and my only backpacking tent, the Eureka Juno 3 man tent that we ended up using as a 4 person tent. It’s about 8lbs. We came back with a few snacks but that’s about it.
On my most recent trip my pack weight was 36lbs with 2 liters of water, snacks and my new REI 2 person tent which weighs 3lbs 11oz. Gene carried the food, his pack was 34lbs.
I’m still working on diminishing my base weight and hope my next hike will be in the 20 lbs range. Any tips for lightening up?
S
I know you and your cookwear; that is where I have to start. I would also look at clothing. Clothing is often over looked and could weigh you down a bit. I have been shopping around at a new sleeping bag, but if you want a light sleeping bag, I have found it will be heavy on the pocket book.
happy travels!
Hey Doug!
Yeah clothes are a good place to start. I learned that after my very first trip. I brought lots of spare clothes and weighty clothes as well. So the last two trips I’ve taken my clothes down to this for 2 -3 night trips: (You just have to get over stinking, although rinsing them in a stream or lake is very effective)
REI Sahara Convertible pants – Wear
REI lightweight MTS Bottoms – Pack
REI Sahara Wicking T – Wear
REI Sahara Longsleeve Shirt – Pack
Synthetic briefs – Wear
2nd Synthetic Long or short sleeve T – Pack
2 pair wool socks – Wear 1 Pack 1
Mountain Hardwear fleece skull cap – Pack
Mountain Hardwear Rain Shell – Pack
Mountain Hardwear Chugach Jacket – Cold weather – Pack
I just need to get weight’s on each of them.
I’m also thinking of making a sleeping bag following this example here:
http://www.backpacking.net/makegear/sleepbag/index.html
S