Ultralight Backpacking: Core Principles & Philosophy (Video)

Why Most People Flounder When they Start Lightweight Backpacking

When I started the process of lightening my pack, I floundered – I spent an inordinate amount of time and money guessing my way through a framework that was broken. It looked like this:

1. I realized that my pack was too heavy.
2. I went to an outdoor specialty shop seeking help, or worse, shopped at online retailers for stuff that looked better than what I had.
3. I purchased hundreds of dollars of new gear.
4. I went backpacking with the new gear.
5. I realized the new gear didn’t really keep the promises it made to me for a lighter pack and a more satisfying outdoor experience.
6. I came home and my pack was still heavy.
7. I went back to #2 and repeated the process.

Sigh.

There had to be a better way.

Over time, I invested countless hours into developing a cautious, intentional, careful, and methodical approach to lightening my pack, learning lightweight backpacking skills, and developing the solid foundations required to have a safe, comfortable, and satisfying experience with less weight in the wilderness.

Core Principles of Lightweight Backpacking

Eventually, I settled into a core framework that has been the foundation of my writing, instruction, clinics, seminars, and schools for more nearly two decades:

1. Take inventory;
2. Simplify;
3. Limit contingencies;
4. Value core function;
5. Consider multiple use;
6. Build systems;
7. Develop your skills.