My first “lightweight” trip involved me tossing gear and spare clothes out of my external framed pack the night before a trek in southern Colorado. Now, I experiment with and design (my wife calls it “twiddling”) some simple, lightweight gear and carry loads that have become dangerously flirtatious with the SUL barrier.

In south Texas, if you’re a hiker, biker, or runner, you don’t have to deal with elevation or cold temps. However, you do have to like the feeling of sweaty silnylon next to your skin on a 100 degree, 90+% humidity day.