Hi All,
I have been backpacking off and on for about 40 years. My style might best be described as SUH. There was a time in my life when it was considered rather macho to be carrying 65 Lbs on your back. The last time I was out, I had trimmed it down to *only* 52 Lbs. On that trip, the 20 yr old, external frame SUV I was carrying on my back broke down (again). I decided that was the last trip for it. It did get one final use as a prop in the Seattle Zombie walk last weekend. My Avatar/Profile picture shows what is left of it in the Halloween graveyard next to my house.
So my creaking old body is telling me it is time to turn over a new, lighter, leaf for future trips. I have been lurking on this site for a month now and I have a lot of ideas for knocking 15 Lbs or more off my back for next year. (thank you all!) I figure I will be working on lightening my load for the next several years. Partly, I like to hold onto functional items for a long time, and partly I want to take this a bit at a time. I also like not paying full price. So I am building my list and watching for fall sales.
BTW, I spotted a 20% off sale on a rather full line of Snow Peak products at http://www.edwardjamesstores.com/shop/. I know nothing of this vender, but I thought you might want to know.
My question at this time is about clothing. I have a rather warm metabolism and as I think back on things, I do not remember ever being cold on a trip. In fact, my problem is usually being too warm. I have one hike buddy that has shown me the basics of light weight layers, but given my metabolism, I think my current list is still a bit of overkill, particularly in the summer.
Here is my current clothing list:
Socks – 2 oz
Long underwear/base layer top and bottom REI (Mid wgt?) – 15 oz
Convertable pants/shorts REI Sahara – 12 oz
Poly shorts – 4 oz
I usually sleep in these/hike when *really* hot
Underwear – 2.5 oz for 2
light base layer s/s T-shirt – 4.5 oz
MontBell down jacket – 7 oz
(New acquisition, replaces 19 oz fleece)
REI Rain jacket – 14 oz
Hike hat – 3 oz
Warm ski hat – 2.5 oz
Have located a 1 oz alternative (not purchased yet)
Wool gloves – 5 oz
Have located a 1 oz alternative (not purchased yet)
Camp shoes – 8 oz
Have located a 2.5 oz alternative (not purchased yet)
Sweat Band 0.5
Specifically, I think the 15 oz REI base layer is heavier and warmer than I want for most hikes. This set works quite well at moisture control and they are great for downhill skiing. I just simply find them to be too warm most of the time. I want to do some experimenting with some *very* light weight long underwear/base layers for warmer weather hikes. I have alway appreciated having a long base layer when at altitude in the Cascades, particularly first thing in morning. I also do not want to go too light and take a chance with hyperthermia.
I am finding it difficult to gather data on my options here. A capilene 1 might be good here, but the 3 – 4 oz weight savings hardly seems worth the price. I get the impression that silk might produce some worthwhile weight savings, but I am having difficulty getting actual weights on available products. I also have very little idea on the appropriateness of silk to the task, given my tendancy to overheat. One issue I have run into is heavy exertion in the rain. The base layer I have seems to work well under the Sahara pants and REI rain jacket. I just want them to be *less* warm sometimes.
Comments?
