A little UL Philosophy Help Please

"1) go farther in less time
2) get to places they never could get to before
3) play with gear, be gram weenies, invent new things, play with new technologies
4) have the flexibility to add extra mileage, change the route, do some exploring
5) do more with less"

Good post Piper. I'd like to add a couple more to this list.

6) Save $$$ on hold baggage charges on flights by going handbaggage only. And strolling out of the airport while others wait by the carousel hoping their gear got onto the same flight as they did.
7) Have your gear with you on the bus instead of fretting about someone dropping a 60lb case into the hold on top of your precious kit every time the bus halts. Or walking off with it.
8) Seeing the look on peoples faces when they realise you are carrying everything you have, not just a day pack.

Travelling UL doesn't necessarily mean going without luxuries. Kath and I often buy a 1L carton of wine to enjoy over the following couple of days. I carry a 1.5oz speaker to plug into my mobile phone for some music or radio, though we usually just enjoy nature's sounds. I often carry some mini-plying cards for airport delays and as emergency tinder (the plastic facing burns great, no XGK-EX required).

I go UL because it lets me still do what I did many, many years ago. My favorite part is having people ask me where I day hiked to when I've been out for a week or more.

HYOH kind of sums up what it means to go hiking for me. For me that is UL. For some I have met that is 80 lb packs with 3 person tents to themselves. Does my back hurt looking at that pack? Sure, but believe me, he/she is typically loving the heck out of being in the wilderness and doing it their way (ie hiking their own hike). And who am I to say otherwise?

I like the fact that you rely totally on your own knowledge and gear (the less the more enjoyable IMO but carry what makes you happy). I find that carrying less gear forces you to improvise and thus become more in touch with nature. By doing this I have more fun and IMO develop skills I might not otherwise possess.

As for luxuries, I think going UL makes you realize how much of a luxury a sleeping pad, a ground sheet, a warm meal, or an extra pair of socks really is. Essentially, for the UL hiker, the judgement of what is and is not a "luxury" item is significantly more critical. Things you take for granted with a 40 lb pack suddenly become bonus items. Isn't simplifying what we "need" one of the core fundamentals of backpacking?

— Having less and lighter equipment makes it possible to get out of work at 5 and decide to go on a spur of the moment overnight trip. I can go home, change, pack my small amount of gear, drive to a trailhead, and hike to a campsite 3 miles away before sunset.

— Short mile days go faster, leaving me more time for views, bird watching, exploration, and hanging out at the campsite.

— Long mile days are actually possible. I'm training to do a 116 mile hike in three days. I would never have even thought that possible without having gone ultralight.

— I only started making the shift toward ultralight a little over a year ago. I've done more trips in that year than in the previous five years combined. It's just way more fun when you're comfortable.

All of this said, there are some luxuries that I like taking. I'm trying out tablets right now for purifying my water, and not convinced that I like them better than a filter. I may go back to the filter for low to moderate intensity trips. For high mileage days, though, that extra 10 oz makes a big difference.

I like bringing my Tarptent and haven't made the switch to tarps yet. I plan to use one for that aforementioned 116 mile hike, but bug netting is a luxury that I'd rather not give up in New England.

I've brought my 21 oz insulated, inflatable sleeping pad on more trips than not. Sure, it's heavy, but that comfort makes for a great night's sleep. This pad only stays home on high intensity trips where I'd rather not lug the extra pound for 20-25 miles per day. I don't do that many of those.

Here's the thing, though: With all of those items, my baseweight is still around 11-12 lbs when I go solo. When I go with my wife, it's more like 8 or 9!

If for some reason I want to bring extra photography equipment, fishing equipment, wine, or a six pack of beer (cans), it's no problem. My back will still feel good at the end of the day. Works for me!

How far you hike and how steep the terrain must certainly influence what you carry. I’ve only really gone to one place. It’s maybe 2 miles in, granted with about 2000 foot elevation change, but still. And it’s downhill going in. We camp there with only day hikes until we leave. Once my base weight was less than 40 lbs I didn’t care anymore.

This year I’m planning on a “real” hiking trip in Yosemite. Well, sort of. We will probably do no more than 5 miles per day with packs on (it will only be my wife’s second backpacking trip). However, I’ve cataloged and weighed all my gear and I’m making some significant changes. I still won’t be UL, but that is only because I can’t afford to. But, my base weight will be significantly less than 40 lbs! I will be taking some items that many here would never consider (a lantern (and its fuel) is one of them).

Once I’ve purchased this new equipment I will take it on my annual 2 mile trip. Since I’ll have it, why not? :8^)

So, I’d say that most people are trying to make their hikes as enjoyable as possible. And, the longer and steeper the hike, the more the need for a light pack.

I recognize that some pieces of UL gear are pricey, and I confess to having fallen victim to some of the marketing. On the other hand, some pieces of UL gear are MYOG, so the cost is almost nothing, or at least cheap.

Another way I save money with this is carpooling. Yosemite National park is 180-200 miles away, so the auto cost for getting there is not insignificant. In the old days, we could load up only three people maximum into a car because of the considerable space taken up by big backpacks. Now that many of us are going with small 15-pound packs, we can put another person or two into the same car, so this reduces our split carpooling costs.
–B.G.–

For me it's been about being able to do 'other things'. I like to flyfish, and knocking of the kilos on my back has meant I can fish more and longer every day I am out and about, or more easily get to areas.

With a large and traditionally filled pack it's a case of:
~Go to creek;
~put down pack;
~fish;
~walk and fish;
~return to get pack;
~shoulder it to new spot;
~start again.

Now I leave the pack on all day. I backtrack much less. I can rockhop and bouldercrawl and jump over things without any real fear of tipping over or hurtinmg myself. I fall less. Bushwhacking is easier in that streamside hakea scrub.

I look forward to the next few years as that packweight slowly comes down even more.

>I fall less.

I hadn't thought of that, but it's true. When I was carrying 35 pounds, I slipped and fell at least one time/ hike. Now that I'm carrying 12 pounds, I don't fall a'tall, ya'll.

Stargazer

I think that I fall into a rather interesting category. I spend about equal amounts of time carrying both light and heavy packs, and I enjoy both. For the past 2 summers I have worked as an instructor with NOLS teaching mountaineering in Alaska. Typically, in my Bora 95 I will have a full Trango 4 tent, 60m rope, crampons, wands, pickets, flukes, ice tools, snow shoes, cook gear, multiple insulating layers, and sometimes up to 19 days of food. My pack can easily weigh 70 to 75 pounds (and I only weight 125). I can carry it ok, but we are never covering more that 12- 14 mi a day. On trips back home in the east however, my base weight is down to about 8.5 pounds and I will usually hike 30 – 35 miles a day. So I cover both ends of the spectrum. I like to think of myself as a jack of all trades and really just enjoy all kinds of challenges outside. Either multidiscipline trips were extra technical gear can very quickly add weight, or just regular backpacking, while going light and traveling fast.

Alex said: "You know, I think of all my little weekend trips as training trips for "that one" big hike. So I end up bringing extra weight in water pretty much every time I go up"

I thought about that on a hike once. For a second, it makes sense. If I carry more now on the little hikes, the "big one" won't seem so hard, right? However, in practice, that's negating the very reason to lighten up! I'm not lightening up so I can carry more on every trip except for that "big one." I'm going to enjoy my lighness on EVERY trip!!

If I want to train for a hike, I'll do that separate from actual backpacking hikes….but then again, actual backpacking trips are perfect training, even without carrying extra weight!

I agree with you Travis.

For me also training for the "big one" is more then just getting my body in shape, but learning how to deal with certain situations given what is in my bag and in my brain.

For example I want to work on my water management. That might sound silly, but I want to get in the habit of drinking at every stream crossing and trying not to carry any water if I don't need to. If I always am carrying extra water to stay in shape then I won't develop these skills.

Therefore, if someone is trying to get their body into shape for the "big one" I would recommend carrying extra weight that has no function like rocks. That way when the "big one" comes their body and their mind will be ready.

For me I enjoy the constant experimenting, learning, and pushing myself. Developing skills and experiences if far more important than developing muscle in my opinion. Pretty much everyone that has seen my scrawny body might disagree, but like they say HYOH!

"Developing skills and experiences if far more important than developing muscle in my opinion. Pretty much everyone that has seen my scrawny body might disagree"

From one scrawny lil' guy to another, it ain't how much muscle you've got but how well conditioned that muscle is. Strength to body weight is the name of the game. Rock on!

It's interesting that UL is often associated with "faster" hiking, but for me this is not the case. I always carry 11-15 lbs. depending on the season &/or food load. Sometimes I'll hike 10 miles & sometimes 25. My speed averages between 2-2.5 MPH depending on the terrain. The only difference for me is the length of time that I hike. The beauty of a lighter gear set is that at age 51, both options are now available to me since I can more easily walk for 12 hrs., if needed, & still enjoy the experience.

I sometimes go on work trips and can cut brush with loppers and a saw and toss the branches without taking off my pack.

OK SOo0oo..

I was testing out our "weekend tent" with my dog. My GF just picked up a Nemo Morpho AR on REI clearance.

You know I think of myself as a "lightweight comfort driven" type of hiker… Well that was redefined for me when on Saturday morning the Boy Scouts caught up to me.

Holly crap! they brought Coleman stoves, lanterns, NOISE, parkas, axes, saws etc.

A few of the adults came over admiring my tent because it didn't even have a wrinkle that fluttered in the wind. (Theirs flapped but mostly because they didn't pitch them properly) They took a look at my gear and were shocked at my kitchen.

It made me realize that I'm definitely on the Spartan side of the equasion right there with you guys

It took those kids about 4 hours to start a fire. You know that saying "where there's smoke there's fire"? Well they redefined it. Where there's smoke there is just smoke.

The next morning I was packed up and out of there before they could even turn on their Coleman. I bumped in to two Eagle Scouts who were humping back a 3 Gallon blue water jug for the kids. They asked me what time ti was.

What a beautiful mess, those guys are. African carrying 3 gallons of water to a place with lakes. While the adults didn't even think to bring water treatment or even think of boiling water the night before and letting it cool (it was 30 at night).

The good news is I just picked up a Nemo GoGo and dropped my base weight down to 14lbs.

That must be your pack mule in the last photo.

–B.G.–

Yep here's my pack mule

That's his little red pack

He's also a watch dog

Well I typically hike 15-20 miles a day. I normally hike for about six hours a day with an average speed of 2.5 mph.

I have a lightweight pack (base weight around 11.75 pounds). Sure I could go lighter but I like my system and don't want to give up anything else simply for weight savings.

To each their own! As long as you're having fun then it's all good!

Alex, what does your pack mule have for a baseweight?

For some dog owners, the base gear amounts to an old piece of foam pad, an old piece of blanket, and a dog bowl.

–B.G.–

He carries his food, jacket, leash and maybe water. About 3-5lbs total weight depending on water. From what I understand he can carry a lot more up to 20% of his body weight easily.

Before stumbling across ultralight backpacking last year I was the type that much preferred to drive in and day hike from my campsite. It wasn't that I thought I needed much in woods but, rather, a lack of knowledge concerning what gear was out there. Originally my "tent" consisted of pitching a tarp over the bed of the truck.

Seeing people "enjoying" backpacking while lugging around huge 50 lb packs 20 miles from the trail head didn't look fun at all and I'd just shake my head and climb back in the truck when it was time to leave. However, last fall I bought and tested lightweight gear and with a few refinements this year should prove spectacular. I can already tell from my day hikes that, even with all my gear on my back, I can still poke around the woods, thoroughly enjoy the scenery, and investigate whatever catches my eye.

Doing it all without removing the pack and spending more time seeing new places instead of backtracking to a base camp is utter bliss.

For me, the benefits of lightweight backpacking occur as soon as I take my first step in the woods, because it's simply made it easier for me to get out the door. I remember ten years ago when it would take me a good chunk of time to gather and load all my heavy gear in my big 6+ lbs backpack. So, now that I hike with less and lighter gear, I find myself getting out in the woods more often and with less prep time.

Another thing that I really like about having a 7 or 8lbs base weight is that I can and do use my backpacking gear even on dayhikes. For me, that means that any short dayhike can turn into an overnight if I decide that I want to just setup my tarp under the stars. Again, 10 years ago I had to know if I was doing a dayhike or an overnight before I left home. Now, I have total flexibility and a greater sense of security.

Good points here. I end up carrying my BP fully loaded on dayhikes and overnights. With a total of only 12.5 pounds on my back, I am carrying three days worth of food and 40 oz. of water and not even noticing the weight. If I fall and break my leg, I can survive several days comfortably in emergency situations. In most respects, UL is safer than the alternative!

Stargazer

Alex,

Excellent question! Less is More. Purity and simplicity are two words that come to mind when I thought on your question. The desire to streamline my kit after every trip I take is one that is hard to ignore. Post trip thoughts are mixed, I both relish and enjoy the details and the memories, but the onset of gear scrutiny and the desire to flush out the kinks, and reach some illusive backpack nirvana is always scratching at me. I suppose this bizarre process of UL distillation is my attempt to strip things down the necessary elements that will compliment my outing. I find fast paced hiking and intense sensory overload of the outdoors to be quite a thrill and at one point my backpack held me back from this, this isn't something I ever want to experience again. I'm finding I'm getting to a place where I feel the pack and it's contents fade away in the background of my outdoor experiences. Though it is fun to discuss those gear details post trip ad nauseum!