Mike, thanks for the detailed feedback, that's exactly what I was looking for. As you pointed out, I am more a traditional backpacker, with lightweight tendencies. I am trying to open my mind to you crazy ultralight peeps. We do the same thing, after all, and get out there into the wild.
But I knew what I was getting myself into posting my gear list, so I appreciate (and am not offended by) the serious feedback. While camping/backpacking is anything but new to me, UL is, and want to learn more about it.
On to some of your comments.
The rope is to set the tarp up. The tarp is a heavy duty hareware store type tarp. I am looking into getting a bivy/UL tarp, however.
The sleeping mat I am conflicted about myself. Yeah, it is a bit heavy, but it is very comfy and has an in-built pillow too. But for the record, I did buy and try out a very light foam mat a few times, and while very light, was not comfy at all and also difficult to roll up. I will look into other mats. Any suggestions? But this is also where cost come into play, more on this later.
The axe has many uses. Chopping wood not just for fuel, but also for building improvised shelters. Also doubles as a hammer, and as a weapon too. I go very deep into the woods, and often run into wild animals like boar and moose. I have been in situations where said animals have gestured like they were going to charge. Lucky for me, they didn't, but I had my axe in hand just in case. So I doubt I will nix the axe, I use it quite a lot and makes things much easier. I would also note that for an axe, it's as UL as you are going to get and still be an effective axe. Nice fiberglass handle helps, and is also stronger than a wooden handle.
I am surprised you would nix the trowl. Good weight, for one. And when you need to dig a small hole (usually for pooping), what do you use then?
I will take the consumables of tea and sugar into consideration next time I weigh. And you know what, you make a good point about eating out of the pot. When I go solo, that's usually what I do and leave the mess kit at home. But last time I went out was with friends, and in that case I need another place to put food when we cook and eat. So next time I weight I will keep the plates out of the kit, but keep the mug, spork, and cutting board/strainer.
The toilet paper was also surprised by. Are you talking about using leaves? I mean it's not that much weight for a whole lot of comfort and ease when you need to wipe.
The t-shirt is a spare one for the next day. This pack represents my most common weekend trip gear. So if I go friday, get all sweaty hiking, then the next day I change into a fresh t-shirt, boxers, and socks. If it is more than one day, I clean the dirty t-shirt, boxers, and socks from the first day and use them the 3rd, and so fourth.
The teapot and cook pot go together because I often want a cup of tea before or during cooking. So I can make both a cup of tea and my meal at the same time. Plus the teapot boils much faster, and I also use it to boil water to clean with (myself and other gear).
Okay, I will give you the saw can be nixed. This is just a pure luxury to make my life easier as I get fuel or build shelter.
The cell phone can't be nixed. Not much weight, either, but I need to keep in touch with friends and family. Espeically when I go out solo, which is often.
The PJs I am conflicted about. They keep me warm while I sleep and it is also nice to have a clean set of clothing to sleep in. In the morning it is often very cool and what I will do is keep my PJs on as an extra layer as I get up and get ready for the day. Once the sun is up and warm, and I have a good fire going, then I strip the PJs off. The PJs have also come in handy when it is colder than I expected and I just leave them on as a extra layer. I think in the end I will keep em.
The Swiss army knife won't be nixed. Working with wood (making grilling sticks, for example), gutting fish, and having it easily accessable from the belt sheath at my side is a must for me. The razor is mostly reserved for emergencies, which is why it is with the first aid kit, or as a back up to my knife just in case something happens to it (lost, broken, etc.). Plus it has other useful things on it other than the knife, like tweezers, bottle opener, can opener, ect. And the weight is good, especially with the sheath.
Okay, I will re-weight a few things and get a new total weight up. Plus the clothing when I have time. Shoes I can tell you right away that I usually were US army issue jungle boots.
And I can comment a bit about food and water. I weighed my food bag, which is 2 servings of lentils, 2 servings oatmeal, salt, powdered milk, extra sugar, and one bullion cube and this adds up to .484kg. Water adds another 1kg, and that's all I carry with me, as here in Sweden there is plenty of water and most of it is safe to drink. I still boil it to be safe, however. Hence the teapot again.
Thanks again for the feedback. I love learning more about this passion of mine especially from other unique perspectives such as the UL mindset. But just as I am trying to be open minded about UL, I would hope that you hardcore ULers can do the same. Because as much as I respect your endevours and find a lot of good advice, tips, techniques, and the overall philosophy appealing… it is not beyond its own issues.
Price for one. A lot of UL gear I have seen is very expensive, which for a poor guy like me leaves me SOOL.
It can also become an arbitrary quest of who has the lightest pack. Often comfort and utlity get sacrificed just to shave off a few grams. Pissing contests about the most UL gear lists abound, and there aer some gear lists I have read that leaves me scratching my head and wondering just how the hell one is able to avoid hypothermia and starvation.
There is an elitism in UL that can be a real turn off to those on the outside. I would like to see more UL and traditional backpackers both influence each other more, and go out into the wild more. To me it seems like the two circles are often exclusive.
These are just generalizations based on my own observation, and of course I could be mistaken, and this is not meant to single out anyone.
But anyhow, my new weight, minus a few things I noted above, is 9.959kg. This should go down much more if I find a sleeping mat that is as cofmy as my current one and the price is nice, and also perhaps get a bivy/tarp combo (again, if the price is nice).
