Ideas/phylosophies to reduce my baseweight please

[mik matra]

Hi guys, here is my BaseWeight list for cool weather (down to 30F) that I finally I got down to the low 5kg mark (under 12lb). Boy I am obsessing about seeing that figure in the 4kg mark!! Though I am now starting to think this is maybe the lowest I am able to go for several reasons:
1.I live and hike in Australia so a fully enclosed shelter to keep things out that can kill you is paramount
2.I am a cold sleeper and even just sitting around the camp I am colder than all my other buddies so clothing wise I have to be careful not to ‘under do it’
3.We usually go unassisted for up to a week, so in the list you will find things that may not necessarily make it to a normal UL or SUL list like;emergancy firelighting equipment, CB radio, a large first aid kit, map and rope.

Thanks for looking and if you have anything to suggest I would love to get some feedback :-)

Ps;I have been looking for a ULA Ohm 2 (second hand) that after my alteration would shave about 120 or so grams (4 ounces) but for the cost of them it is a largeish spend for a small gain. Thoughts?

https://www.geargrams.com/list?id=31258

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Mik

First aid kit is a bit heavy. I have never carried a space blanket: I have my tent.
Poncho is a little heavy: mine is 200 g.
Otherwise, for Oz winter, it all seems reasonable.

To be sure, 4 kg would LOOK nicer than 5 kg, but it won’t make you travel any faster. At some point one goes from ‘light’ to ‘stupid light’, and for a week in the bush that is not smart. I find that an all-up pack weight of under 12 kg does not have any real influence on my travel.

Btw: I do not carry a GPS, a PLB, or a radio. Never felt the need.

Cheers

 

 

[mik matra]

Thank you for the feedback Roger. I would like to address a couple of your points.

1. My Poncho is actually a parcho that I bought off ebay so it’s cheap and heavy-ish. I am looking into making my own now out of SilNylon and it will drop the weight by ‘about’ 120g or so making it gor fromm 344g to the low 200s.

2. First aid kit. I have no space blanket in there anymore (might be an old kit description I have not altered) but I have medications, pain killers, tiny amounts of betadine/sudo cream/mouthwash and other non ‘first aid kit’ specific stuff. Mouthwash is for killing ticks btw, they die almost immediately when you dab it on them.
PS;I actually just remeasured it and it is not 300g but only 240…..wonder what I have taken out of it!!! lol

[mik matra]

Another interesting point about the space blanket:

We did a ‘survival course’ about 4 weeks ago and someone pulled some reflective bits and pieces out of their space blanket pouch. Upon investigation it was discovered that the space blanket COMPLETELY disintegrated in it’s own pouch!!!! It literally broke down in storage.

[Author]

Posts