Mr. Bean goes ultralight – April Fool’s edition

[J R]

Mr. Bean’s comedy draws on everyday experiences we can all relate to. In watching this particular segment, I realized that Mr. Bean shares a lot of common thinking with the ultralight backpacking community. I wanted to post it in the spirit of both April Fool’s Day and sharing practical advice about UL:

So what can Mr. Bean teach us, or remind us, about ultralight backpacking? At least these key points:

• Scrutinize each and every item you bring.
• Bring the smallest/lightest piece of gear that will provide the needed functionality.
• Eliminate or at least minimize duplication.
• You don’t need extras – it’s OK to be a little dirty sometimes.
• DIY solutions can be the best solutions (though not always).
• Ditch the packaging, stuff sacks, etc.
• Cutting the handle off your toothbrush is self-explanatory.
• Don’t forget hygiene (bar of soap).
• Don’t analyze every gram of gear you bring and then overdo it on food.
• Don’t be stupid light (like bringing only one shoe).
• Once you have your pack weight really down, it’s OK to allow yourself a luxury or two.
• Choose your pack last – choose the pack that fits your gear, don’t choose a pack and then try to cram into it what won’t fit.
• Even with the most thorough approach, you can make mistakes in your planning.
• Ultimately, your choices are personal. There’s more than one right answer. HYOH.

[Daryl and Daryl]

Thanks for the laugh.

[Paul Wagner]

My all time favorite Mr. Bean segment.  thanks  !

[John Mc]

That was awesome…..thanks

[Franco Darioli]

I met Rowan Atkinson, great comic actor but in real life not at all a natural comic like Sir Billy Connolly .

[Doug Coe]

So funny! Thanks for the laugh (in these serious times).

Actually, I just posted on my blog about the brilliance of having just one shoe, fyi.

[J R]

Bumping this for April Fool’s Day.

[dirtbag]

That was funny.

[Miner]

Thanks for posting.  I learned a lot and will be applying it on my next trip.  ;-)

[Author]

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