Going Lightweight

Ming65

Ming65

Joined
Sep 4, 2002
Messages
2,177
G'day Wilderness Buddies.

I've had a nice transition from semi-couch potato back to bush walker in the last few months - it's nice to have some spring in my legs again and less fat on my gut.

2-3 years ago I did the 221k (140mile) Larapinta trail in central oz

http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/parks/walks/larapinta/index.html

My base weight for that walk was close to 20kg (44pounds) and this went up to 35 kg (77lb's) when I had to carry 2 days worth of water.

I've been preparing for a 6 day cape to cape walk for which I depart in 2 weeks.

http://www.capetocapetrack.com.au/pages.asp?code=10

I've made one small addition to my kit that has made a massive difference - a set of digital kitchen scales. I weighed absolutely everything in my kit and made a few simple changes.

- Discarded heavy duty stuff sacks (100g each) - saved a half a kilo (1 pound)
- Bought a top end down sleeping bag - :eek: expensive but a lifetime purchase - saved another couple of pounds.
- Did you know that even a Swiss-tool spirit sheath weighs 40grams? Cleaning out a host of small excess items like this trimmed another pound or two.......
- Got rid of a few unnecessary clothing items (if I get too cold at night I can wrap myself in my sleeping bag or just go to bed).
- Carefully planned food items and avoided the termptation to throw something because I might need it.
- Trimming the gear meant that I no longer needed my 80l Lowe pack. I bought a cheap Osprey 60l pack (another 2 pound saving)

The end result is that my base weight is now 8.9kg (17.8lb) and only 14kg (30lb) with food and 4l of water (about 1 US Gallon - you need to carry a lot of water in West Oz, even in mid-winter). This is still carrying a fairly substantial 2.3kg tent (MSR Hubba HUbba - the rain can come in sideways on the WA South West Coast)

Some of the weight weanies on the light weight backpacking websites would still call this way too heavy, but for me it feels like joy.

It's the 5th or 6th hour of walking that you really notice a heavy pack, regardless of how fit you are. Now I walk into camp with a spring in my step and the energy to have a look around, or go for a swim or whatever.

Kitchen scales = is good:thumbup:
 
That's pretty neat! I often fall into the "I just might need this" trap and always end up taking more clothing than I need. Experience is the only real guide in knowing what you can trim and waht you can't. Losing the gut makes a big difference too.
 
A friend of mine who used to think walking up the sides of mountains was a lot of fun, (why walk when you have a horse is my motto), was pretty keen on slicing the weight off anything he carried. He asked me for a knife suggestion, something useful but very light. I came up with the Victorinox Alpineer.

Should you need something similar, have a look at it.
 
G'day Ming

I hope the weight of a camera is included in the total :D

Looking forward to seeing the pics when you get back.

Have a great trip :thumbup:



Kind regards
Mick
 
Good job on minimizing the weight of your pack :thumbup:

I'm another one that gets into the whole "I just might need this or that...." which leads to double of what I initially wanted and most of it is for MAYBE a one time use while out and about :o

Hey Ming65, what do you have with you for purifying/boiling/filtering water? When I did a lot of backpacking with scouts we used polar pure/iodine tabs or we would filter through a bandana and boil with a pot (pot for a big group, metal cup for just myself).
 
Weighing does help deciding. I weighed every piece of kit I have including knives. I put the weights in a spreadsheet and grouped by type. You can pick the items you want to take and it will calculate the total weight. Helps you decide if you really want to haul that big chopper or extra firesteel.
 
Good job Ming65! I, too, have been trying to go more and more lightweight over the last few years. I haven't started actually weighing things yet. Instead, I just try to take less. I'm afraid if I start weighing things, that I'll need to give up my precious stainless steel water bottle! Har har!
 
Nice! I did 2 weeks on the Appalachian Trail with a 15 pound pack. It does make a huge difference doesn't it? I used a spreadsheet to keep track of my weight. It really helps you to make decisions on what is necessary.
 
Great Job Ming65!!!


I do not know what you are using to carry your water around. But I use a camelbak bladder. They are much more comfortable to carry on your back than bottles and easier to grab a drink while on the go.
 
Walking sticks will add a bit of weight to your overall load, but will add lots more energy at the end of the day.
 
Great post. Don't know why I missed this one. The comment about a scale used for packing is an excellent tip. It really keeps you thinking and evaluating each piece of kit. Thanks for the reminder post!
 
A good scale is awesome. It lets you decide how important a piece of gear is. "Do I want to take 7oz of backup knife or a better sleeping pad, or just skip either one, ditch the extra Nalgene bottle and camp chair, and have 3 less lbs to carry up the mountain?"

It also helps you figure out where to spend money to save weight. "My sleeping bag weighs 3lbs. If I spend $245, I can get one that weighs 2 1/2lbs, or I can spend $40 on a titanium pot that will save me 9oz over the steel one I carry now."

Good job on getting your pack weight down Ming, it makes for a nicer hike.
 
Cutting down weight can add a lot to the enjoyment of a trip. I probably pack more like a fast and light guy compared to the average bushcrafter, but I still like to take it slow and enjoy nature while I am out there. Not having a 60 lb pack just makes everything better.

My pack weight problem comes with backpacking with my wife. :o

I use a Hennessy Ultralight BackPacker Hammock at something like 1.5 lbs when I am by myself, but with her it's a ~6 lb tent, plus sleeping pads, footprint, etc.. Add in another 10 things like that and my pack weight starts ballooning pretty fast.
 
Agreed: even if you don't buy the whole ultra light philosophy package there's stuff to pick from them.

E.g.: got rid of a bunch of stuff sacks, extra pots, extra knives and multi tools: would save enough to bring in a small axe.
 
Ravaillac said:
Agreed: even if you don't buy the whole ultra light philosophy package there's stuff to pick from them.

E.g.: got rid of a bunch of stuff sacks, extra pots, extra knives and multi tools: would save enough to bring in a Big Honkin axe.
Click to expand...


Heh heh. Fixed that for you.:D J/K
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top