What to leave behind?

T

tyuio

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Apr 9, 2003
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Ok, after another backpacking trip i'm once again looking over my pack, and it's WAY too heavy. I know it's too heavy for how i want it to be, but i'm fighting with myself over what to leave behind. The list: The pack itself is a jansport cascade 70 thats a few years old ( it's not ultralight, not even that light compared to almost anything else out there in the last 5 years and it's probably next on my list to replace). Sleeping bag (wiggy's ultralight) and tent (REI roadster). Stove is a msr whisperlite and a small fuel bottle. Cooking done in .9L evernew titanium pot eat with REI titanium spork (gift from friend). Usually eat from dehydrated meal bag, or from pot. Sleeping pad just upgraded from themarest (med size) and a closed foam combo to a big agnes insulated air core 72" mummy pad (close to same weight but saved lots of space it's about 1/4 the size of old setup).

Extra clothes besides what i'm wearing depending on trip length are thermals top and bottom, underarmor long sleeve shirt and extra socks (thick hiking sock type usually one pair, or more if more than 3 day). One extra cotton t-shirt, cheap fleece zip up jacket, cabelas boonie hat, wool knit cap, leather gloves and a small bandana. This represents about 3 day without chance of rain, if rain then add cheap poncho, doesn't happen often.

Food varies mostly dehydrated meals, top ramen, minute rice, granola bars, black licorice( small ziplock) ,trail mix (in 16oz naglene), foil packages of tuna or chicken, instant oatmeal or cream of wheat( usually instant in paper package or more in 16oz naglene if more carried). Water usually in naglene bottle or guyot standard to drink from, platypus 2 liter bag to store or carry and filter duties katadyn hiker or base camp depending on water soure and stay duration. Coffee or tea bags and a plastic coffee cup (12oz size i like my coffee) and the cup is fairly light, but little big.

Misc items are GB hatchet, small first aid kit, 50' of thin paracord, camera and extra batteries and memory card. Usually carry revolver and a few extra speedloaders (.357) pistol in leather holster, speedloaders loose and bear pepper mace. I live in northern CA and lots of bears here, usually no problems but i like to be prepared for that one crazy bear with an attitude. Extra set of glasses in a protective case, mini bic, firesteel, headlamp is PT eos and backup light is a 9volt paclite. Map, compass (in first aid kit), GPS (60csx) with an extra set of batteries and a knife usually a OHT or small mora.

My issue is i know i can eliminate some things to lighten my load, even some things i carry that i rarely if ever use (never needed my pistol or mace). For a few days in the woods backpacking as i look at what i bring, i know i'm bringing too much. What is your philosophy on the subject? How do you draw the line on what to bring and what to leave? Do you leave something you know you probably won't use, but then suffer if the need arises or just find lighter versions of what you feel you need? I'm interested in lowering the weight of what i carry, but i don't want to hike with just a swiss army knife, tarp and a pocket full of granola either. Anything that jumps out at you of what i'm not seeing to cut back please let me know, my knees thank you in advance.
 
Well I know you said, “i don't want to hike with just a swiss army knife, tarp and a pocket full of granola either”, but I'll start with tent. I don't do tent. My 10'*10' tarp is about 2lbs lighter than your tent. Nothing is set in stone and you could be in skeeter alley for all I know, or above the tree line in perishing conditions, but apart from that I'd be ditching the tent.

You've got a lot of sleeping comfort going on. I understand that amount of insulation if in truly cold conditions but if it is just for comfort that is way too much. As you said, your new Big Agnes is the weight of a closed cell mat plus a Thermarest. I'd be looking to dump the weight of a Thermarest and stick with the closed cell pad.

Hatchet. Is that a precaution? Do you really need to split wood .etc. You might be able to get away with a folding saw on some trips and shave another lb off.

How many is “a few extra speed loaders”? Given it's for bears and not for a firefight I'd be minded to think one would be enough on balance of probability. I suspect someone else might chime in with something different here but the way I assess probability you'd be very unlikely to go from zero to a second reload encounter surely. And while we're here, how much of a weight penalty is the leather compared to ballistic nylon.

I guess that's potentially about 5lbs off.
 
i'd ditch everything that BaldTaco mentioned, plus the stove, fuel. Cook in a single Ti cup over a small fire. Ditch the sleeping system and lay boughs on the ground and use your spare clothes to stay warm, along with a reflective heat sheet (about 1 oz) No hatchet, no saw, use your knife and make small wedges to split logs lengthwise. Upgrade the pack to a lighter one. Ditch any stuff sacks or containers that you can (all that nylon or cordura adds up lb wise). Ditch the firearm and ammo, consider making alot of noise when you hik or downgrade to ultralight flarepen with bear bangers.

my 2 cents.

.
 
Exactly how ultralight is your Ultralight sleeping bag? You might be able to drop a pound or two (or more) with a high end down bag.

As for leaving things at home, I'd leave the hatchet (heavy and possibly not needed) and some of the ammo as mentioned above. If you've never fired your pistol in the woods, why take 18 rounds when 6 will do. I might keep the stove if rain is a problem or if there are fire bans in your area.

Other than that you're looking at spending more money for ultralight gear. I've been ending up with a pack weight around 30 lbs. and without leaving out essentials I'm stuck there. That or break the bank with new gear.
 
It's not a bad list already, have you weight that setup? I do agree about the ammo...just a spare reload would suffice for me. A pistol and ammo is a lot of weight, but it's a personal choice and should be a part of your "essentials" and factored into the load plan.

Take a hard look at you food and water. I've packed in a lot of extra food that wasn't eaten and if you have water sources nearby, you can pack less to start with.

Extra clothes can really add a lot of weight and take up space if you're not careful. Do you need the thermals at night (some people just need the extra insulation)? Maybe drop the wool cap for a lighter fleece one. Drop the cotton T-Shirt. I can go 3-4 days with what I wear (synthetic-T shirt, long sleeve synthetic button shirt, convertible pants/shorts, socks, hat, synthetic undershorts); in my pack is usually a soft-shell jacket, extra pair of socks, long sleeve synthetic shirt (for night/mornings) and if it's expected to get cold, I'll add a lightweight fleece pullover. If you plan your layers right, you can go from sunny and in the 90's to colder temperatures down into the 40's without packing to many extra clothes. I'm trying to get away from my military mentality (overkill preparation), but I can usually pack just one extra pair of socks for a 3-4 day trip. Just rinse the used pair at the end of every day and let them dry overnight and the next day...keep rotating and with quality wool socks, two will carry you a long ways. Another problem I've found with too many extra clothes is that you forget to clean and dry them and you'll often wind up packing around extra weight from dirty and damp clothes.

Tents just weigh a lot although there are some pretty light versions out there. My wife likes a tent, but when it's me and my son, we pack our Hennessy hammocks which precludes the need for sleeping mat (warm weather) and is much lighter than a tent...plus it packs smaller.

I know here in Texas, we've had to use a stove as open fires have been banned:mad::thumbdn: That's a necessary evil for us. If you are packing in a ways, I would relook the GB hatchet, it's a useful tool, but a lot of weight; if you don't have specific plans for it consider leaving it behind. The SAK saw or even a small Silky saw will be used more, especially if you can have a small open-fire.

How many spare batteries are you carrying? Have you checked how long your flashlight, camera and GPS run on them? I do carry extra batteries, but a good LED light will last a long time on a new battery...some are good for a few days of constant on...more than enough for a 3-4 day trip. Use lithiums as they are 50% lighter, last longer and can handle extreme temperatures better (they make them in AAA, AA and of course the 3Volt batteries).

ROCK6
 
The big 3 for me are the tent, the sleeping bag and the trail pad. If you can cut them down you really cut down your weight.

The other things I'd look at on your list is your gun and hatchet. Which GB? If it's a mini cool if it's a Wildlife that weighs almost 2 lbs.

I used to carry a 1911 backpacking but after YEARS of never needing it I switched to a NAA mini master. Just because I couldn't make myself not carry anything but it's ounces not pounds.

Also on the stove you might be able to save weight by just using the fire and then carrying a pepsi can stove and a small bottle of alcohol for quick morning coffee or rain.

But I'd look at the tent, the trail pad and the sleeping bag.
 
The guys who posted before me gave you some advices. Let me give you another one: You seem to be going solo (or almost) so ditch the MSR Whisperlite and get a Pocket Rocket. I own a Pocket Rocket and a Primus Omnifuel so I know that separate fuel tanks give you way more stable cooking support but the weight saving is huge.

Mikel
 
I appreciate all the points made here, and they are pretty much along the lines i've been thinking already. I started into this thinking like lightening up my car camping setup and putting it on my back. I like to off season camp so it's colder than normal for me (yesterday morning it was 27F) and i usually like to bring a good ground pad. I've tried to use just a thermarest or foam pad, but it's not enough and i end up aching the next morning from cold and tossing and turning all night due to comfort, then i don't feel like hiking too many miles the next day. Usually i prefer a tent, more for bugs than eanything else. Where i go, it's not just mosquitos (rarely have problems when it's cold with them) but the ants, beatles, spiders and 10 other kinds of things that like to cuddle up with you. If i could find a nice screen shelter to go with a tarp system that was much lighter than a tent, i'd probably take a good look at it.

I guess i'm willing to carry a few extra ounces for some kinds of comfort, but need to cut elsewhere to get where i need to be for my weight goal. Hatchet and speedloaders seem to be on the cut list as well as some of my extra clothing, and i do see i carry a bit too much food. The water i go through pretty fast and may be 5 miles from a source to filter more, so i do need to carry a bit more than a water bottle full most of the time. I think i do need a smaller lighter bag, because as my friend suggested, if you have space, you'll be temped to carry something you don't need. I can see that happening so i'll be on the lookout for something else. Thanks again everyone you just told me most of what i already knew, but was hesitant to cast off.

P.S. edited to add, fire restrictions a good part of the year makes it hard to cook with fire or i'd really think about that one.
 
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+1 on the sleep padding. Since I switched to a Big Agnes I have NEVER got as great sleep on the trail.

IMO it is HARD to not have a heavy pack carrying a lot of water. If you have 5 miles between fillings and you want to lighten up you got your work cut out for you.

I think that wearing all or some of your clothes in your sleeping bag helps keep the bag weight down.:thumbup:

RE: Water Filter? Is the UV Steri Pen lighter? You might be better off with one.
 
I've been following this thread but I think it's time I weigh in. I'm going camping this weekend myself in the Sierra's; Kings Canyon NP. I'll start with a list.

Tent---creepy crawlies suck
Pack---Bring it----but upgrade it when you can
Clogs---much better then little flip flops. Great for around camp
Gun---You don't need it for bears. No mace either. No bells. Count yourself lucky and snap some photos if you see a black bear. Black bears in CA are not a threat to you. Mountain lions are a threat to you. But you would be lucky to have a warning from a surprised mountain lion attack. They seem to be more common around popular mountain bike and jogging trails in the early morning. I carry a large knife for defense.
Large knife:D Forget the hatchet. Breathe on a tree the wrong way in CA and it may spontaneously combust:D I really don't know what knives you were planning to bring so post links.
Small knife: good to have for small task (gutting fish, etc)

Ill finish this later:D
 
Are you hiking on trails? If so, the GPS is unnecessary. A nice toy to have, but it could be eliminated for weight savings. There are much lighter units than the 60csx too. You really need the extra batteries? A fresh set in the unit and I'm good for several days - I only turn it on briefly to collect waypoint data throughout my hikes.

I don't use a sleeping pad at all. They aren't too heavy, but it is a luxury item that could easily be left at home. I just throw my sleeping bag on the ground with a poncho for a ground cloth. I'd carry one if winter camping though.

If you eat your cooked meal during the day at someplace where water is available, you won't have to carry so much.

Hatchet? Don't see why you'd need that if you have a cook stove. Wood that's the best size for cooking can easily be broken by hand anyway.

Camera batteries? I've never needed to change batteries mid-trip. But my camera isn't digital either... My rolls of extra film might weigh more than your batteries. :)

Two flashlights could easily be cut to one. I rarely use one at all, but do carry one for emergencies only. You just have to remember that in the dark everything is the exact same place it was during the daylight.

My issue is i know i can eliminate some things to lighten my load, even some things i carry that i rarely if ever use (never needed my pistol or mace).
Click to expand...
You're onto something there. At the end of each trip make a note which items were never used, and which items you lacked but wished for. Re-evaluate the necessity of unused items and the weight/want ratios for the next trip.
 
The other guys already gave good answers, but I'll just post some of my so called thoughts. :o

First, it seems you're rather heavy on the sleeping gear: sleeping bag, tent, lots of clothes... Nothing wrong with that in itself, and if it's cold, it's much better to bring too many clothes than too few. But you said you brought the tent for bugs mostly. How can it be cold if there are bugs around? I don't know of any bugs that are a nuisance to humans that will stay on the move even when the temperature goes below freezing, and if it's not below freezing, it's not cold either. :D

Second, you bring a heavy cooking stove and such apparently because making fire isn't allowed? If so, then you could and in my humble opinion should drop the GB hatchet home if you feel that you're carrying too much weight. What would you ever use the hatchet for if you don't need to gather firewood (because you aren't allowed to make fire) or make a shelter (because you're loaded with extra clothes, a sleeping bag and a tent)?

Third, carrying lots of water is smart where it's not readily available in a clean enough form. Carrying lots of food is much less so. I don't know how much food you pack, but most people I know pack far too much. Even if you get in a survival situation, food is a low priority - starving takes a hell of a long time, and there's a lot of things that you can eat in the forests everywhere around.

Fourth, guns. If you're not going into a firefight, don't bring any more than one extra speedloader at most. It's just dead weight that is never used. And if you're going to bring that much guns, at least leave the bear spray at home - you won't have time to use both, and in the astronomically unlikely case that a bear attacks me, I sure as hell wouldn't be trying to defend myself with a spray can if I have a gun with me. :eek:

Fifth, GPS and batteries. If you've got a compass, what's that stuff for unless you're in a world of hurry? They can weigh a lot, and to little benefit unless you're going for the North Pole.

That's about it - you can start cutting down on things like bringing extra glasses or bringing a firesteel when you don't intend to make a fire, but that stuff isn't so heavy that it's worth it unless you really have great trouble with the weight.
 
Well if it's cold and dry a light weight bivy bag might be a good choice. It might keep the bugs out?

Every Nalgene I've had is at least 4 oz - doesn't seem like much, but that might be 3 large Platypus bags.

Thumbs up on the pocket rocket - affordable, light and easy - it's compatible w/ the smaller fuel cans used for jetboil.

Check out Ray Jardines book - beyond backpacking from the library. It's older but lots of good ULight info.

Enjoy,
J.
 
Tyuio,

I'd replace the tent with a bivouac sack, which would weigh about a pound or less, total. I'd replace the MSR stove with a pop can stove and a small squirt bottle with a few ounces of fuel, for a total weight between the two of 3-6 ounces... or I'd ditch the stove and bring foods I don't need to cook. I'd get rid of the socks (and, presumably, shoes) and replace them with a pair of lightweight, nearly worn out sandals, or go barefoot. I'd replace the hatchet with a lighter knife, knowing that I can affix the knife to a baton to use as a pole-axe. I'd get rid of the extra cotton shirt, and simply be grungy. Depending on where I'm going, I'd ditch the .357. I'd replace the extra pair of glasses with disposable contacts. I'd get rid of the coffee, tea, and cup. I'd get rid of the GPS, too.
 
Great ideas, but I'm going to disagree with ditching the gun. You didn't say what type of .357. Is it a lightweight model or full size like a GP100? I would stay with the .357 but only carry 12 extra rounds, not speed loaders. When I first started backpacking I carried way too much also, but I've cut it way down and got a smaller, lighter pack also.
 
I'll also comment on the Pocket Rocket.

Pros: Very light and packs down small. Inexpensive too, comparatively.

Cons: Fuel canister isn't so small and it's not the best for simmering. Think jet engine blast.

I've used one ever since they were released a good number of years ago. Never failed me.
 
I don't see anything too out of the ordinary, at least for me. What I would do is evaluate each piece of gear and determine if there is a lighter weight alternative that would work. If you can shave a few ounces off of each item, soon you will be saving pounds in your pack. I would recommend spending some time on the ultra-light backpacking sites on the net to get ideas. The main thing is you are out doing what you enjoy, that is priceless.
 
I'd probably leave some of the clothes behind. Do you need a fleece jacket, underarmor long sleeve shirt and a thermal top? One of the three should be enough.

If you put the trail mix in a zip-loc and use your plastic cup to drink from you can ditch two Nalgene bottles or maybe three if you have one with oatmeal in it.

It wouldn't be cheap but you could easily save a pound or more by replacing the Wiggy's bag with a good down one. I understand about the tent and it looks like the one you have is fairly light. You already know the pack is heavy.

As others have said, I'd leave the hatchet, too much extra ammo, batteries, and GPS at home.
 
PB Wilson said:
I'll also comment on the Pocket Rocket.

Pros: Very light and packs down small. Inexpensive too, comparatively.

Cons: Fuel canister isn't so small and it's not the best for simmering. Think jet engine blast.

I've used one ever since they were released a good number of years ago. Never failed me.
Click to expand...

True and true. There is a number of ultralight titanium stoves from Primus that weight even less than the pocket rocket and might have (I don't know for sure, I don't own one) better simmering abilities. They are more expensive though.
Mikel
 
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