Why I Go Light

Craig,

There is a certain melodic, ambling quality to your article that differs so nicely from the typical go-light, go-fast, go-hardcore, yada yada yada mentality seen in the UL community. You've provided an honest window into a side of UL that exists within many of us showing that we're not always hardcore and pushing limits. There are times when you just want to "get out in the woods" and it just so happens you do it lightly. Thank you.

– sam_h

Thanks for a second article (at least recently) on going very light, but not SUL (thick and comfortable sleeping pads come to mind).

Another aspect not mentioned often: the latest SUL wonder equipment can be very expensive. I've yet to pay more than $33 for a warm pullover, nor more than $70 for my warmest down jacket. Yes, they are heavier than they could be, but I cannot afford to buy two of them at those exotic prices (let alone five, accounting for my kids, all of whom will be in college next year!).

Same for rainwear…$45 for a waterproof/breathable jacket or pants is about my limit, and most of what I have cost way less (thanks to eBay). That recently reviewed eVent jacket sounds great, but at over $300 it is completely out of my price range.

I would like to see more articles such as this one. Even better would be articles giving equal emphasis to both weight AND cost.

I too had my first ultralight trip many years ago when a friend and I in high school decided to climb Mt. Whitney via the Mountaineers Route and return down the trail. We decided to "go light" and packed small knapsacks that barely contained our sleeping bags. We didn't pack a stove but we did pack a rope. We certainly weren't prepared for a night in the rain but then the forecast was for clear skies. I can't remember my total pack weight – after all it was in 1969 – but I believe it was around 10-12 pounds. Carrying the pack to an elevation over 14,000 feet was significantly easier with the light weight.

I have never forgot that trip and the comfort of such a light pack. A lot has changed since then and my current "kit" is much safer, more comfortable and lighter, but my route to my current pack was anything but direct having packed many heavy loads with way too much stuff. What you bring is a personal choice and the degree of weight reduction is personal as well.

Great article. Thanks for the memories.

Great idea Elliott! An "Ultralight on a Budget" article would be very valuable. I think you could assemble an ultralight set of gear and spend less money than "standard backpacking" (I'm thinking of alcohol stoves, beer can pots, 02 style jacket, etc.). Such an article would definitely mention the possibility of making your own gear, but even if you don't make anything yourself you could still buy a nice set of equipment without spending huge amounts of money or making too many heavy compromises. This would be a nice article for folks who may be checking out the ultralight thing and get scared away by the high prices ("wait, you don't have to buy a cuben fiber tarp").

There was also the sgt rock $300 challenge, a $200 list from backpacklight @yahoogroups. Most of my gear recommends has suggestion for cheap options. I have a not so cheap ~ $400 2.5 season list which is a generic version of a list used by a friend of mine.