From the beginning of the SuperUltraLight Challenge, I had cold weather in mind. I wanted to experiment and find the best ways to cut non-insulating gear weight to a minimum so that as large a portion of the 5-pound base weight as possible would be left for warm gear and clothing once the weather cooled off. Nighttime temperatures on this trip at 11,400 feet in the Flagstaff Peaks got down to 25 degrees. Daytime temperatures reached the low 50s the first day, but cooled off to the 30s and 40s the second and third days. It was windy sometimes, especially on a day hike to Humphreys Peak when I was nearly knocked over a couple of times. I hiked back to my car the third day as 2 inches of snow fell - gorgeous. In this article I discuss whether 5 pounds of gear kept me warm and cozy and how individual items of gear performed. In the Behavior Modifications section, I detail what I've learned during the SUL Challenge and compare and contrast the 5-pound base weight gear list for this trip with an 8-pound gear list suitable for the same conditions.
ARTICLE OUTLINE
- Introduction
- Gear - How'd it work?
- Fanatic Fringe Alpine Trail pack (7 oz.), customized
- Jacks ‘R’ Better No Sniveller Universal Quilt
- Gossamer Gear NightLight Sleeping Pad (Torso length) and ThinLight Insulation Pad
- Inov-8 Flyroc 310 shoes
- Behavior Modification
- TABLE: Comparison of 5-pound and 8-pound base weight gear lists
- Conclusion
- Sub-5 Gear List for November, Dry camping in the Flagstaff Peaks, Arizona
# WORDS: 3400
# TABLES: 2
# PHOTOS: 3
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Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Notes from the Field – SuperUltraLight in November on the Flagstaff Peaks, Arizona
I’d just like to point out that the No Sniveller is not sewn through, it’s baffled. I enjoyed your article.
Stephan good call Jacks ‘R’ Better No Sniveller Quilt is a Box Baffle Design that uses no-see-um netting and 800+ fill power down.
Thanks Stephan,
Yep, it’s baffled. I must have had visions of sugar plums dancing through my head when I wrote that :)
Carol
Carol, where can a person find the Outdoor Research rain mitts (1.4oz) you listed in your gear list? I can not find them on their website and am in need of light weight rain mitts.
Thanks.
OR rain mitts haven’t been made for a couple of years. See http://www.ryanjordan.com/weblog/2005/11/the_death_of_ra.html
One other option until BMW releases there new mitts are the somewhat expensive trekmate paclite rain mitts from the UK: http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product75.asp
Dave at Oware makes an over mitt that should work.
http://www.owareusa.com/index.html
sounds nice, but you need to order in quantities of 20 or more! I don’t have that many hands ;)
I own the new OR Talus Mitts and can say they’re nice. It’s not GTX but Ventia, OR’s proporietary Waterproof/Breathable material. They well on 2.8oz in sime M. It’s just simple shell
another interesting option are the
berghaus paclite mitts
http://www.globetrotter.de/de/shop/detail.php?mod_nr=be_47453>ID=47abc4268415145d2d217be371e7e25e
REI Taped Mittens – click to be taken to the product webpage
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