whats the deal with packing so light?

[mcjhrobinson]

i like to go light because i got a bad back and its way more comfortable. really climate, time spent out, and water dictate the most weight....when i did the GC i saw people with all sorts of stuff. the best was one of those folding camp chairs!

i was in an "ultra-light" phase....its pricey. now i like to go ultra-cheap AND ultra-light!

 

[Fonly]

My current mil SAR pack is right around 30 lbs, thats what is with me all the time, no matter where I go. Mind you most traveling can be done by boat, or quad. But I have to pack incase more than me is injured, needs shelter water, and the other essentials. I usually get stuck with the radio too though,

 

[Zero_Time]

i just checked mine and its only 50 ish but i have 2 sigg water bottles, 3man tent,sleeping bag,rain coat,hoodie,food,flashlight,knife,tomahawk(adds some weight but i dont care), t shirt,sleeping pad,water tablets,bear bangers/flares, bear spray

it adds up fast

i also have a cheap mec backpack which works for now but its pretty heavy itself

I'm up in the country (house) so I won't be able to weigh my pack for a few days. Get back to you when I do- 50 is more reasonable- that's what I grew up carrying, and am a gear nut, but my friends are all ultra-light so I've decided to see if I could do that as well. Gives more opportunity to need to be hardcore.
Zero

 

[Fallbrook Forge]

Why?

Because as time goes on we as lazy north americans get softer, wimpier and more emasculated.

Remember every kid is a winner now and nobody loses they all have to feel good about themselves.

Too bad the world dont work that way.

It will be our downfall in the end.

Skam

So am I hearing you correctly in that, I'm emasculated, whimpy and soft and lazy because I hike with as light a pack as I possibly can?

If I'm missunderstanding you, no worries. But if that IS what you're saying... you seriously need to rethink your approach


I try and go light for a few reasons.
I like the challenge, I'm semi-seriously OCD so going through everything possible and trimming here and there to make things more efficient is semi theraputic for me.
I have carried 80++++ lbs for loooong miles before, I did not enjoy it as much as I enjoy carrying 20 lbs
When I'm done packing for a trip and it all weighs 1-25 lbs and I don't need anything else, why pack anything more?

 

[midnight flyer]

Hmm.... how do I get that weight of 55 - 60 pounds or more.... thinking here about of four days/three nights out with no provisioning, totally self sufficient.

- Pack itself
- 2 man Eureka tent with fly
- Sleeping bag
- Pancho/ground cloth (if damp or muddy, one each)
- 3 liters of water (not much water at all down here is S. Texas in most places)
- water filter + iodine pills
- MSR gas stove with wind shield
- fuel bottle with fuel
- tiny cooking/boiling pot
- 25 sheets of paper towels (great for cleaning yourself up at night as well as cleaning up cooking and other gear)
- 10 dehydrated meals
- snacks
- large stainless mug and spoon
- Taster's Choice instant coffee straws
- large hiker med kit with ACE bandage wraps and moleskin
- fire kit
- emergency kit (loud whistle, paracord, mirror, compass, emergency space blanket, sewing kit with buttons, etc.)
- bug juice/DEET
- regional plant life book
- camera + batteries
- 2 old fashioned double AA maglites + one set of batteries
- 25' hank of 1/4" braided rope
- small pack out bag for trash
- toilet paper
- small ABS plastic shovel for latrene use
- small biodegradable soap (hygiene wound cleaning)
- travel size toothbrush/toothpaste
- large camp knife or medium camp knife with sharpening rod
- free hand fishing kit (depending on where I am going)
- pocket novel (if rainy season)
- two pairs socks
- two skivvies
- two shirts
- one pants
- foldable hat + bright color bandanas

Depending on where I go, who I am with, and how long I stay out, all of that above is subject to change and can vary quite a bit.

For example, if I am with another experienced camper, there is no reason to have two full emergency kits, or two full med kits, or two stoves.

If I am just going overnight, no reason to pack all the clothes, pocket novel or food, either.

Down here you cannot sleep on the open as the mosquitoes are the size of nickels and will carry you off. So a tent is a must. A ground cloth will help make up for the fact that the ground can be really rocky, hard and rough. If I am going a short distance for a day or so, I like to take my 3/4 length Thermarest.

It adds up quick. Think it through and look at your list to see where you would cut on a 4 day out with no resupply.

I have been in construction now as a hands on guy for 35 years. My knees thank me anytime I can give them a rest. I would rather enjoy my trip in as much comfort as possible, and that means hauling everything I need, but no more than that. So if there is anything I can leave behind, put in smaller containers, or take less of, I will.

I would be interested to see the lists of others with an idea of how long they would be out without resupply.

Robert

 

[mcjhrobinson]

hey robert, you could try using a "tent" of no-see-um mesh...much lighter than the ~5lbs eureka. also maybe a newer flashy and a photon as backup.

 

[Joezilla]

1. Its the "style" to pack light and spend lots of money.
2. Its a challenge
3. Its comfortable


Now don't let any gearsniffers go there and tell you what you can and can't do. I personally enjoy a 14-20 pound pack, but I normally ruin it with an 10 pounds of knives/and sometimes liquor.

 

[Mentor]

Why?

Because as time goes on we as lazy north americans get softer, wimpier and more emasculated.

Remember every kid is a winner now and nobody loses they all have to feel good about themselves.

Too bad the world dont work that way.

It will be our downfall in the end.

Skam

Step 1. Remove tinfoil hat. Step 2. Sit down. Step 3. Take a deep breath. Step 4. Enjoy a cold beer.

It would be interesting if we could draw some links between the tendency to seek a lighter pack and the gradual demise of civilization, but I think it may be a bit of a stretch, if not borderline silly.

I don't mind carrying a heavy pack, when I feel that I have made good decisions about the contents. When I return from a trip and unpack, I take stock of what I brought, what I used, and how I might pack differently next time. Did I need that extra gas for the camp stove? How about that extra pair of pants? Did I need to bring a set of pots and pans, or could I have used a single pot and a cup? And so on, and so on. My grandfather was a prospector. He spent decades hiking through the bush with a heavy canvas pack and iron skillet. He taught me to appreciate well-made, trustworthy gear (which is sometimes heavier than the newest stuff). But he also taught me to think carefully about what I pack, and not bring dead weight. "Pack light going in so you can carry more fish coming out" was a saying of his He was most certainly not an emasculated pansy.

On a recent trip to Algonquin, I carried a 50lb. pack, which included most of the food for a party of three. Since it was the first outing for one of my companions, I hauled a bit of extra good and gear, just to ensure that it was a comfortable and fun time (for him). It worked out fine, but if I was going by myself or with a more experienced group, I think I would have cut 15-20 lbs. worth of stuff. This would have made for a lighter, easier, and simpler trip. I don't see any problem with that.

Ultimately, I think it makes good sense to strive to pack only what you need, and to reduce excess weight. This doesn't necessarily mean constantly pushing for the lightest materials and going ultra-minimalist, of course.

My $0.02 CDN.

 

[Ravaillac]

my pack weighs a little over 30 lbs

Funny, I'm into ultra-light, and my bag is about 30lbs. Actually most of the weight I save I use it to carry more "stuff I don't actually need" like those extra knives, full size axe...
Most people will tell you that an axe is too heavy to pack, but then you can show them make for axe weight by being more careful about what you pack, removing plenty of little use items, like stuff sacks and pouches, lighter poncho, lighter single pot...
Those saved lbs might also make the difference between walking uphill and running uphill.

Having a lighter pack base weight allow to carry more consumables (water/food... although at some point you have to get a better pack in terms of hauling capacity).

 

[Bushman5]

Why?

Because as time goes on we as lazy north americans get softer, wimpier and more emasculated.

Remember every kid is a winner now and nobody loses they all have to feel good about themselves.

Too bad the world dont work that way.

It will be our downfall in the end.

Skam

really?

 

[dd61999]

Why?

Because as time goes on we as lazy north americans get softer, wimpier and more emasculated.

Remember every kid is a winner now and nobody loses they all have to feel good about themselves.

Too bad the world dont work that way.

It will be our downfall in the end.

Skam

I think its the opposite, as some people (not the world) get softer, wimpier and more emasculated. They want to bring more of the comforts of home with them. History has shown people pack light because they want an advantage to go further, faster, and with more agility. For example look at Roger's Rangers during the French and Indian war during colonial times.

 

[dipbait]

Reminds me of this. I use to be a firefighter in town. Structure fires mainly. One hot and humid day my crew responded to a woodland fire to help the rural guys. We showed up in full heavy bunker gear. They were wearing lightweight clothing. This is hard wood in rolling hills not like the california fires , very little danger in getting caught with no escape route. We hiked with the rural guys up and down the hills for a mile or so. Once we reached the destination we were to bushed to help.

 

[Smash05]

Those I know in the light craze do so to carry more stuff, like camera equipment. My brother in law regularly goes on multi-day primitive condition hikes in remote areas, and he keeps things light and simple so he can carry more, not less. I myself have had to cut down on certain things when I go hiking someplace where I know I will not find any water, because I have to pack all that damn water with me.

 

[dipbait]

Thus the need for dehydrated water.

 

[Bushman5]

There is zero reason to be carrying these kinds of weights nowadays. The advent of modern fibers and technology has resulted in gear/clothes, even food that weighs next to nothing, and many things are significantly smaller in size as a result.

part of the problem is we take everything and the kitchen sink with us, or if in a group hike there are multiples of everything.

its simply not needed. Do more with less.

in 30 years of hiking i have NEVER used or needed a sewing or fishing kit. TOSS! I have never needed nor wanted a tent:. TOSS! i have never needed nor wanted a cookset (most of these 5 to 10 piece cooksets could be used for a scouts Jamboree, simply NOT needed for one person) TOSS! extra clothing - WHY? wear clothes that do multiple duties (like when sleeping) and that dry fast, other than that i have never used nor needed extra clothing. TOSS! sleeping bag, sure maybe in winter. Otherwise i'm happy with nice hot ground heated up from a fire and scraped aside. Sleeping bag TOSS! First aid kit - of course, need that, but we dont need these battlefield sized kits. <TOSS!

mother nature provides us with water, shelter, food, clothing, its up to us to utilize it. By doing so we realize that we dont need all the crap that we lug around with us. If i wanted to lug all that crap around i'd get an RV.

Shelter, warmth, food, clothing, all available at Mother Natures General Store and Drug Emporium:

water, food, highway, all available from Mother Nature:

oh i guess i'm softer, wimpier and more emasculated now. I'm a Winner! I feel good about myself!

LOL!!

 

[ieraseu]

I also want to make note that even in the military when we were pretty much forced to carry huge packs, we had vehicle support with water and medical staff on hand. Every hour we would break to refill our canteens, and it is not uncommon to drink 2 canteens of water per hour when carrying such a heavy load.

Also, every single long distance hump we always had at least one person get injured and need medical attention. Whether it was for overheating or for twisting an ankle or something similar.

Carrying such huge loads I really look at it as something the novice outdoorsman would do. They think they need to pack the kitchen sink for that elusive 'just in case' scenario.

 

[koyote]

Oh, this is gonna end up in a bad spot.

Dude- telling us we're soft fatties for packing light is... I'm just going to be blunt- it's dumb and socially unintelligent.

I made a point in my first response of separating working out from hiking. That doesn't mean hiking isn't seriously strenuous healthy exercise. It is. And you don't do orienteering with a 50 pound pack, nor do you get out for random hikes when traffic sucks or it's just a pretty afternoon if you have to pack that much crap.


Packing deliberately heavy for the sake of nothing else but putting weight on your joints is just dumb. Tell me which one is going to give you more health benefits- 2 hours at 2mph on a rough trail with 60 pounds or 2 hours at 4mph on a rough trail with 10 pounds?

 

[RescueRiley]

I pack light just because I enjoy taking a minimal approach... I also carry budget and traditional style gear...If I go with the wife and kiddies my load goes up.. either way it's a preference thing..some guys like the james bond gadgett stuff associated with UL..soemguys..just like to smooth it rather than rough it by carrying less gear....I would consider myself in shape as I work out daily, and was a personal trainer for many years.. I also have been practicing martial arts for a Long time but have yet to fight a cage... LOL. Sorry just funnin you a bit.

 

[sasha]

I want to pack much lighter. In my 20s when i just started to pack a 75-85lb pack was normal.
Here is a pic on me when i were 25 or 26. I worked out 3-4 hours six days a week. Heart rate at rest was 32. yes i know it was low but i got and EKG or what ever its called to prove it lol. Well now im 43 had to stop practicing kung fu since i hurt both knees when a guy set a lock on them. Advice always tap out instead of proving that you are not a wimp and can get out of it. I got out of the lock but next day i couldnt get out of bed and put any weight on the knees. Right ankle i got mild arthritis. When going up a steep up or down hill i can feel it in my knees.
if you look you might notice i got a blanket over my shoulders.... Thats the dogs blanket lol i did carry the sink with me and the toilet and the rest of the house with me.. That hike a guy i met who had the early GPS units said i avg about 4.5miles up the mountain to the cottom wood pass in the sierra.
I wish i were 25 again

On the last short trip When going up a steep hill in 100deg heat. Rueben was enjoying his hike and me with THREE times more weight were running out of water trying to stay cool. That what realy got me to push into saving weight. Yes i can still carry 85lb and i would make it to the high sierra mountains. But i would rather carry 30lb or even 25lb and enjoy the hike more. I like to say with age comes wisdom... Im still waiting for the wisdom to show up but thats another story.

Sasha

 

[sasha]

double post