Ultralight Backpacking

I remember the first real hike I did was around part of Folsom lake, it was wet, I was wearing jeans and I was miserable. I vowed I would never hike again. Now, probably 15 years later, its one of my favorite things to do and I take that first experience as a lesson that the right gear can make all the difference (check out my gallery of backpacking and camping trips).

Now, the right gear does not necessarily mean expensive. I’ve backpacked with Paul Lockyer a few times and he has some extremely in-expensive systems that suit any solo or pair hiker. Things like a soda can stove, or the volcano stove, a hand made walking staff and some other little things like that. I myself am all about reducing the weight of my pack as much as possible without sacrificing comfort (within reason). I consider myself an Ultralight, and on some things, and minimalist backpacker.

Yesterday was the final day for REI members to get 20% of any regularly priced item, together with my dividend I went ahead and purchased one of the last pieces for my ultralight sleeping solution. I don’t have the gear in my hands at the moment, but the sleeping bag is a Mountain Hardware Down bag coming in at about 2lbs and a few oz, I have a full length ultralight therma-rest (2003 Backpackers Magazine, Editors Choice) comes in at 13oz and I finally just bought an ultralight bivy (tent), the Black Diamond Lightsabre (2004 Backpackers Magazine, Editors Choice) which comes in at 1lb and 4oz. Making the total sleeping solution under 4 and a half pounds. For reference, the typical family synthetic sleeping bag (think Coleman fleece bag that your parents had when you were growing up) weighs anywhere between 5 and 8 pounds, and would be bigger than my pad, sleeping bag and tent together.

It was on backorder, so I’m not sure when I’ll be receiving it, but when I get it, and an opportunity to use it I’ll be sure to let everybody know how it goes.

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