Ultralight Gear List

[The Weasel]

Sarge:

1) Can you cut-and-paste those weights with the gear list that goes with them?
2) Is that fuel use based on two cooked meals a day? Or one? If breakfast is oatmeal and coffee (or equivalents) do you think you're a little fuel heavy? I recall you being pretty precise on the amount of AlOH needed per meal, so I'm assuming this is a precise number plus a little safety fudge.
3) How viciously anal have you been on weight-stripping the gear that's in the list-to-be-produced? In other words, would Ray Jardine admire the lack of labels, due to your scraping the paint off and cutting one-half of the bristles off your short-handled toothbrush? Or is this a little more mellow than that?

I think I've gotten down to around 14 lbs, but haven't checked recently.

The Weasel

[SGT Rock]

Sarge:

1) Can you cut-and-paste those weights with the gear list that goes with them?

Yes, it will take some time to clean it up since it comes out of a spread sheet to make it a little cleaner.

2) Is that fuel use based on two cooked meals a day? Or one? If breakfast is oatmeal and coffee (or equivalents) do you think you're a little fuel heavy? I recall you being pretty precise on the amount of AlOH needed per meal, so I'm assuming this is a precise number plus a little safety fudge.

Fuel is based on two hots a day plus extra for hot drinks at my discretion, plus a 10% fudge factor. My stove does this consistently on 1.5 fluid ounces a day

To be more specific, since I usually do, the breakfast meal requires 12ml to make 1 pint of water at 200 degrees, perfect for coffee and grits. Dinner requires 15ml to heat a pint to boil and simmer for about 1 minute before going to the cozy, I am currently prototyping a simmer ring that should triple the simmer time (at least) and add only a gram of stove weight. I carry an extra 12ml of fuel for making another pint of hot water for coffee or tea. That is 39ml. I plan another 5ml as a fudge factor, so total is 44ml or 1.5 fluid ounces.

3) How viciously anal have you been on weight-stripping the gear that's in the list-to-be-produced? In other words, would Ray Jardine admire the lack of labels, due to your scraping the paint off and cutting one-half of the bristles off your short-handled toothbrush? Or is this a little more mellow than that?

I am more mellow. There are still some labels on my stuff, I am not cutting the margins off my maps or removing bristles from my toothbrush (the Handel is a little shorter, but that is to make it fit in the bag) or scraping paint off stuff, or making body outlines on my pad so I can't budge a millimeter or such. I am VERY comfortable and I even carry a luxury item - a digital FM radio!

I'll try to get a readable list up tonight.

[fantasmagris]

If i remember correctly that TNF bag is a high loft half zip. I own (one of four diff bags) a 30F synthetic half zip bag, but it has a foot vent. But for that foot zip it would not work for me. IMO half zips limit the comfort range of the bag considerably. There comes a point when weight saving designs begin to backfire in the real world of use. I would NOT own a bag with a half zip unless it was like a 55F liner or something.

[The Weasel]

Sarge:

As one of the old-timers here, to our true mentor of the forum...can you pass this to AT Troll and others as a useful idea?

Can't we have a "files" upload area, where things like your spreadsheet can be uploaded (or do we?). That would be a VERY useful thing to have; I'd start with your spreadsheet and modify it for my gear. The same with instructions on making gear: They could "sit" there for anyone to download. Am I missing something?

The Weasel

[SGT Rock]

1. SUMMER (50+) CLOTHING.......................grams.....Oz.....#. ....Total
Wigwam C-T Tour Socks.............................24.0.......0.85. ..2......1.7
Equinox sil nylon stuff sack (8x18)................36.0.......1.27...1......1.3
Wal-Mart Microfiber underwear.....................46.0.......1.63...1. .....1.6
Dufold Coolmax long sleeve Zip-T - Army.......213.0.......7.53...1......7.5
TOTAL............................................. .....................................12.1

2. RAIN GEAR...........................................gra ms.....Oz.....#.....Total
Packa rain parka......................................317.0.. ....11.20...1.....11.2
gortex mittens - OR rain mittens..................33.0........1.17...1..... ..1.2
ProVent Pants w/tyvek butt patch..............159.0.......5.62....1.......5.6
Seal Skin socks.........................................98.0 .......3.46....1.......3.5
TOTAL............................................. .....................................21.4

3. SPRING/FALL (30 to 50) CLOTHING............grams.....Oz.....#.....Total
Arc'Teryx Powerstretch Pants.......................228.0.....8.06...1.... ...8.1
REI Powerstretch Shirt................................264.0.....9.3 3...1.......9.3
Wigwam hiking socks....................................74.0..... 2.61...1.......2.6
Wigwam knit hat..........................................69.0. ....2.44...1......2.4
Wigwam glove liners.....................................31.0... ..1.10...1......1.1
TOTAL............................................. ....................................23.5

4. WINTER (0 to 30) CLOTHING......................grams.....Oz.....#.. ...Total
Wigwam heavy wool socks.............................93.0......3.29.. .1......3.3
OR P300 mittens..........................................5 2.0......1.84...1......1.8
polypro neck gaiter......................................59.0.. .....2.08...1......2.1
Modified Army Field Pants............................200.0.......7.07. ..1......7.1
Kennebec Insulated Pullover.........................275.0.......9.72. ..1......9.7
TOTAL............................................. ......................................24.0

5. KITCHEN........................................... ......grams.....Oz.....#.....Total
Plastic Spoon............................................. ..10.0......0.35...1......0.4
Pot cozy.............................................. .......25.0......0.88...1......0.9
Evernew 0.9L Ultralight Pot...........................114.0......4.03...1. .....4.0
ION stove with Ti pot stand and windscreen......27.0......0.95...1......1.0
Scripto Lighter........................................... ..18.0......0.64...1......0.6
.5L collapsible bottle....................................22.0.... ..0.78...1......0.8
Bottle (12oz) - oil.........................................27.0.. ....0.95...1.....1.0
coffee bag............................................... .....9.0......0.32...1.....0.3
Gatorade bowl w/ fiberglass cozy.....................62.0......2.19...1.....2. 2
Gatorade bottle w/550 cord loop and caribeener.59.0......2.08...1.....2.1
100oz platypus - modified...............................43.0......1 .52...1.....1.5
Tabasco bottle............................................ .14.0......0.49...1.....0.5
Equinox sil stuff sack (food bag)......................42.0......1.48...1.....1 .5
Zip lock bags (1 gallon) food.............................9.0......0.32...3 .....1.0
Zip lock bags (2 gallon) food...........................21.0......0.74...3. .....2.2
coffee filter............................................ .....19.0.......0.67...1.....0.7
16 ounce alcohol bottle (drinking)....................30.0.......1.06...1. ....1.1
measuring cup............................................... 2.0.......0.07...1.....0.1
iodine tablets........................................... ....29.0.......1.02...1.....1.0
TOTAL............................................. ..................................... 22.7

6. MISC.............................................. ......grams.....Oz.....#.....Total
first aid/repair kit & batteries........................124.0.....4.38... 1......4.4
64 Meg data card..........................................2.0. ....0.07...1......0.1
Equinox red sil-nylon sack.............................17.0......0.60... 1......0.6
emergency fire starter..................................27.0..... .0.95...1.....1.0
Zip lock bags (1/2 gallon)...............................7.0......0.2 5...1.....0.2
Ultrapod camera tripod.................................49.0......1 .73...1.....1.7
Smartek 3.1 MP Digital Camera w/Li batteries.155.0......5.48...1.....5.5
TOTAL............................................. ...................................13.5

7. HYGIENE........................................... ....grams.....Oz.....#.....Total
toilet paper, 6 sheets = 0.1 oz........................3.0.....0.11...12....1.3
zip lock bag (1/2 gallon).................................7.0.....0. 25...1.....0.2
Towel mitten............................................ ..22.0.....0.78...1.....0.8
1 oz Dr Bronners Mint soap and bottle.............28.0.....0.99...1.....1.0
toothbrush and paste...................................36.0.....1 .27...1.....1.3
TOTAL............................................. ....................................4.6

8. NAVIGATION/LIGHT.................................grams.....Oz .....#.....Total
zip lock bag (1 gallon)....................................9.0.... .0.32...2.....0.6
Zipka Plus Headlamp w/Lithium batteries (3).....54.0.....1.91...1.....1.9
Trail journal........................................... .....39.0.....1.38...1.....1.4
Pen............................................... ...........13.0......0.46...1.....0.5
map (average weight)..................................80.0..... .2.83...3.....8.5
Guide Book Sections....................................13.0.. ....0.46...1.....0.5
Mapdanna.......................................... ........45.0......1.59...1.....1.6
TOTAL............................................. ...................................14.9

9. RUCK/SHELTER.......................................gram s.....Oz.....#.....Total
Moonbow Gearskin sil-nylon..........................636.0...22.47...1.. ...22.5
Trash Compactor bag...................................64.0.....2.2 6...1.......2.3
JRB No Sniveling Quilt.................................510.0....18. 02...1.....18.0
Equinox 7 x 15 Stuff Sack.............................30.0.....1.06...1 ......1.1
JRB shock cords..........................................18. 0.....0.64...2......1.3
Hungry Howie Down Quilt.............................501.0...17.70... 1....17.7
Stake bag and cord (50')..............................70.0.....2.47.. .1......2.5
Ti Stakes............................................ .......15.0.....0.53...4......2.1
Hennessy Tarp w/triptese line......................238.0.....8.41...1...... 8.4
Hennessy Ultralight A-Sym Hammock..............654.0....23.11...1....23.1
mesh bag............................................... ...39.0......1.38...1......1.4
TOTAL............................................. ..................................100.3

10. SPRING/FALL HAMMOCK.........................grams.....Oz.....# .....Total
Weathershield top and bottom.....................408.0....14.42...1..... .14.4
JRB Stuff Sack...........................................14. 0......0.49...1.......0.5
TOTAL............................................. ....................................14.9

11. WINTER HAMMOCK................................grams.....O z.....#.....Total
mummy cut enzolite foam pad 61.5"x28"x1/2"...272.0....9.61...1........9.6
emergency blanket groundcloth (70"x30")..........27.0....0.95...1.......1.0
TOTAL............................................. .....................................10.6

12. LUXURY ITEMS.....................................grams... ..Oz.....#.....Total
Cheap FM Radio w/lithium AAA batteries..........55.0.....1.94...1........1.9
TOTAL............................................. ......................................1.9

13. FOOD/FUEL/WATER.....total grams.....total ounces.....0z/day.....days
food...............................4584.6......... ....162.0............32.4.........5
Alcohol fuel for stove..........234.9................8.3........... ...1.50.......7
drinking alcohol 120 proof....421.7...............14.9..............3.2 0.......5
water.............................1147.8.......... .....40.6............39.0
TOTAL............................6389.0........... ..225.8

14. CLOTHING (WORN)..................................grams..... Oz.....#.....Total
NB 806 Trail running shoes.............................455.0....16.08.. .2......32.2
Minigators........................................ ............75.0......2.65...1.......2.7
Wigwam C-T Tour Socks.................................24.0......0. 85...1.......0.8
Whiteblaze wicking Shirt (Star Fit)..................160.0......5.65...1.......5. 7
Wal-Mart Microfiber underwear........................46.0......1.63... 1.......1.6
SA nylon shorts..........................................10 5.0......3.71...1.......3.7
Nike cool mesh running hat w/insignia...............90.0......3.18...1.......3. 2
ID/money/credit cards & keys.........................70.0......2.47...1... ....2.5
Scripto Lighter........................................... ..18.0......0.64...1.......0.6
Leatherman micra.........................................49.0 .....1.73...1.......1.7
Timex Expedition watch (w/electronic compass).36.0.....1.27...1.......1.3
*dog tags - Army.........................................27.0. ....0.95...1.......1.0
Ultralite Ti COR-TEC PA AS w/ rubber tips........275.0.....9.72...2.....19.4
Tape (on trekking poles)................................84.0.....2.9 7...1.......3.0
TOTAL............................................. .....................................79.3

.................................................. .......Oz.........Pounds
1. CLOTHING........................................12 .1.......0.76
2. RAIN GEAR.......................................21.4... ....1.34
3. SPRING/FALL CLOTHING......................23.5.......1.47
4. WINTER CLOTHING............................24.0.......1.5 0
5. KITCHEN..........................................2 2.7.......1.42
6. MISC.............................................. 13.5........0.84
7. HYGIENE........................................... 4.6........0.28
8. NAVIGATION/LIGHT...........................14.9........0.93
9. RUCK/SHELTER...............................100.3....... ..6.27
10. SPRING/SUMMER/FALL HAMMOCK.......14.9.........0.93
11. WINTER HAMMOCK..........................10.6.........0.66
12. LUXURY..........................................1. 9.........0.12
13. FOOD..........................................225. 8.......14.11
TOTAL (summer)................................417.2..... ..26.07
TOTAL (spring/fall).............................455.6.......28.4 8
TOTAL (winter)..................................490.2... ....30.64

DRY PACK WEIGHT:...............................Oz.........P ounds
TOTAL (- food & water)......................191.4.......11.96
TOTAL (spring/fall - food & water)........229.9.......14.37
TOTAL (winter - food & water).............264.4......16.53

.................................................. .....Oz.........Pounds
14. CLOTHING (WORN).........................79.3........4.96

FSO:.............................................. .....Oz.........Pounds
GRAND TOTAL (summer)......................496.5......31.03
GRAND TOTAL (spring/fall)...................534.9......33.43
GRAND TOTAL (winter).......................569.5.......35.59

[SGT Rock]

Sarge:

As one of the old-timers here, to our true mentor of the forum...can you pass this to AT Troll and others as a useful idea?

Can't we have a "files" upload area, where things like your spreadsheet can be uploaded (or do we?). That would be a VERY useful thing to have; I'd start with your spreadsheet and modify it for my gear. The same with instructions on making gear: They could "sit" there for anyone to download. Am I missing something?

The Weasel

There is a way. Under additional options, under the post area when you do a normal reply, there is a "Manage Attachments" selection. I could zip my spreadsheet and upload it.

[The Weasel]

That's great...but wouldn't it be just real, real neat if there were a "Files" section here? Just dreaming, of course. (I'd offer to create it, but I am NOT in the league of you guys in doing computer voodoo.)

The Weasel

[SGT Rock]

Yes that is also possible,it would just take a little more to set it up. I do have one on my site, BUT the download is old, and it is a self executable zip,and to see the on-line interactive version requires Microsloth Office installed. I am planning to take a class on Java or Flash soon so I can program an easier to use on-line version

[minnesotasmith]

1) I've finally gotten around to starting reading my copy of Jardine's book. I am finding errors in logic (and a bit of a persecution/"holier than thou" complex) mixed in with some excellent, orginal thinking on the fundamentals of hiking. An example of the errors would be his graph on page 29 illustrating his belief that if you halve your packweight, you should be able to double your daily mileage, since you are halving your energy expenditure per hiked mile.

GONG!! He completely neglects body weight as a factor here. I weigh around 230, and will likely carry a pack on my upcoming section hike (including food/water/fuel) around 44 pounds. If I halved that 44 to 22, I would reduce my total weight from 274 to 252 (neglecting clothing/footwear for simplicity), a reduction of only about 8 percent ((22 * 100)/274). I will admit in a heartbeat that my daily mileage would likely go up more than 8%; that would IMO mostly be due to reduction of cumulative daily strain on vulnerable points such as knees, ankles, and thighs more than reduced absolute energy expenditure, IMO making further nonsensical his calculations.

2) I have a real problem with the idea of going with a backpack that only weighs a pound or so. Every one I've seen (in pics on the WWW or in RL) is a tiny, flimsy thing that offers no separate compartments for organization or ability to confidently temporarily go up on total pack weight as needed. There are expendables besides one's food and drinking water that can legitimately be added to a pack, often with little or no ability to forsee needing to add them. You may want to carry some wrapped dry twigs for kindling or dry newspaper/leaves when a prolonged rain system is moving in. I mentioned elsewhere on WB tonight how adding baking soda or water to a cathole can be expected to speed breakdown of toilet paper. When you leave a town after resupply, it would be nice (especially if it is a NERO) to be able to carry some bulky, moderately heavy fresh foods for the first meal or two back on the Trail. Too, if you hit a Trail town for resupply, and an unseasonal blizzard is forecast, you would have the ability to add winter clothing you picked up there to your pack. (The same would apply to adding lots of extra food before entering a long stretch of Trail with no resupply options if you found out the Trail conditions ahead were those of a few-miles-per-day mudhole.) Then, for people either hiking in groups, or inclined to be a good Samaritan, if another hiker you wish to help becomes injured or ill, it would be IMO highly useful to have the option to go up on pack weight while carrying their gear.

Now, going light on OTHER aspects of permanent gear such as sleeping bag, tent/shelter, raingear, and such, strikes me as eminently reasonable, especially by spending the bucks to buy (or effort to make) the best WRT use/weight ratio stuff available. It just seems to me that a pack that can handle whatever I may need to ask of it is a nonnegotiable, especially for being able to complete hikes that don't go perfectly.

[erichlf]

I have a real problem with the idea of going with a backpack that only weighs a pound or so. Every one I've seen (in pics on the WWW or in RL) is a tiny, flimsy thing that offers no separate compartments for organization or ability to confidently temporarily go up on total pack weight as needed.

This is what stuff sacks are for.

You may want to carry some wrapped dry twigs for kindling or dry newspaper/leaves when a prolonged rain system is moving in. I mentioned elsewhere on WB tonight how adding baking soda or water to a cathole can be expected to speed breakdown of toilet paper. When you leave a town after resupply, it would be nice (especially if it is a NERO) to be able to carry some bulky, moderately heavy fresh foods for the first meal or two back on the Trail.

Solved by a large expansion collar, and many things can be carried outside of your bag.

Also, there is making your own UL pack that will deal with all those special needs of yours.

[minnesotasmith]

UL packs I have seen for sale cannot handle temporarily going up on weight much over 40 pounds, regardless of whether the weight comes from gear being placed inside the pack, or tied to the outside. I don't consider putting things in a stuff sack and carrying it in my hands for miles and miles (instead of putting it in the pack where most people would carry it) to be much of a solution, either; I use a walking stick, and alternate which hand is holding it. I also use umbrellas on occasion, so that's both hands gone right there. If I spend the money to buy a pack, I expect it to work.

As far as making a UL pack myself, I make a good living, and would prefer to use some of my earnings to buy a pack, and spend my time off hiking, rather than use up my scarce time off for learning how to sew.

[bulldog49]

My list, for cool weather is:

Pack:
Granite Gear Vapor Trail 32 oz
Pack Cover 2 oz

Shelter/Sleep:
Go-Lite Lair 1 Tarp & Stakes 16 oz
Ground Cloth 4 oz
Western Mnt Ultralite Bag 25 oz
Therma Rest Pro-Lite 3 Short 13 oz


Hydration:
Pur Hiker Water Filter 11 oz
Nalgene 32 oz Wide Mouth 1 oz
Platypus Water Bucket 2.5 oz


Kitchen:
Snow Peak Giga Stove 3.25 oz
Fuel Cannister 8 oz
Snowpeak Trek 700 Pot 4.8 oz
Lexan Spoon 0.5 oz
Butane Lighter 2 oz
Wind Screen 3 oz
Soap 4 oz

Clothing in Pack:
Marmot PreCip Jacket 12 oz
Marmot PreCip Pants 6 oz
Marmot Wind Shirt 10 oz
Patagonia R.5 Shirt 3 oz
Patagonia Lt Weight Bottoms 2 oz
Smart Wool Hiking Socks 4 oz
Smart Wool Hiking Liners 2 oz
Capilene Glove Liners 0.5 oz
Nylon Gloves 2 oz
Gaiters 4 oz


Other:
Leatherman Multitool 5.2 oz
1st Aid Kit 4 oz
Parachute Cord 3 oz
Cigars 4 oz
Duct Tape 4 oz

Total Pack Wt - W/O Food & Water 197.5 oz
12.34 lbs

[ronmoak]

minnesotasmith,

You're correct that some of what Ray says is pure junk. You can safely ignore corn pasta without any ill effects.

The chart on doubling mileage by having weight is both right and wrong simultaneously. It must be understood in proper context. First it assumes the hiker is already in thru-hiker shape. If you’re not in great shape when you start out, it may take hiking a couple months to achieve. Typically thru-hikers with traditional packs weighing in at around 40 pounds hike around 15-20 miles a day on average, while hikers carrying 20 pounds cover 25-30 miles a day. Now while there are certainly exceptions to the rule. In general this follows the norms for most people.

Certainly you don’t have to go ultralight to enjoy backpacking. However, for many, going ultralight allows them too enjoy backpacking. If you spend most of your day afoot hiking the trail, then the lighter your pack the more enjoyable the journey. On the other hand if you’re more of a camper, traveling relatively short distances between campsites, then going ultralight makes less sense.

When choosing to go ultralight, you begin to prioritize your gear on the basis of how it contributes or detracts from the overall experience. For many of us, carrying 40 pounds clearly detracts from the enjoyment of walking. So you need to be willing to sacrifice some experiences in order to accentuate others. It’s all about doing what it takes to maximize your backcountry experience. Only you can decide what that experience should be.

Ron

[erichlf]

When choosing to go ultralight, you begin to prioritize your gear on the basis of how it contributes or detracts from the overall experience. For many of us, carrying 40 pounds clearly detracts from the enjoyment of walking. So you need to be willing to sacrifice some experiences in order to accentuate others. It’s all about doing what it takes to maximize your backcountry experience. Only you can decide what that experience should be.

My main reason for even discovering UL was becauase I took my wife up into the Redwoods not even thinking about the fact a 30-40lb pack would be too heavy for her. I have always been in really good shape and so it never even crossed my mind, but when we got on the trail I think we made it a mile before we had to turn around. I don't like to be away from her (ahhh), and so this was a big problem for me. I would not be able to hike. So I started thinking, but I did not put everything together until I read Beyond Backpacking. Most of the techniques in that book on how to lower your weight were great ideas. But, then alot were pretty much non sense. Long story short, I have done alot to lower my wife's and my pack's base weight down to around 7 and 8 lbs respectively. FSO + Food/water/fuel weight is down to around 17 and 22 lbs respectively, and now she loves to hike. I would still like to get my wife's pack weight down, since this is 17% of her weight while mine is about 6.6% of my weight. Quite a bit skewed, but it is hard to get your weight down that much unless you have the money (and I don't, still a grad student).

[tlbj6142]

UL packs I have seen for sale cannot handle temporarily going up on weight much over 40 pounds

If you are ever carrying over 40# on the AT (3 season) you are not a lightweight or even close to an ultralight weight hiker. So, you'd never need to buy a pack that can "only" handle 40#.

And regarding pockets not being present on many lightweight and ultralightweight packs. Pockets add weight and pack complexity. Part of the LW/ULW "style" is to reduce complexity.

The worthless lid on most packs weighs 5-7oz (or more!) and only provides 300-500ci of storage. What a waste. Do they provide easy of use? No, you still have to take your pack off to access items in the lid. Is it really that much more difficult to open a drawstring on a stuff sack? No.

I for one don't like extra pockets on my packs. Side water bottle pockets (assuming you use bottles and not a bladder) are all you really need. I put small items in to 2 different stuff sacks and then just shove everything else into my pack (bag and clothing inside a pack liner). Personally, I find that stuff sacks actually take up more room than not using them. I don't even put my food into a stuff sack. I just pile it on top of my gear.

[The Solemates]

I recently came across the Mtn Hardwear Phantom 32D, which weighs in at the same as the NF Beeline 900, a mere 21 oz for size Long (or so I think). It has a 3/4 length zipper (and isnt light grey).

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/acti...yStyle?id=1123

I had known about these bags, but I didnt know they were this light. Anybody had any experience with these? And does a size Long really only weigh 21 oz?

[Whistler]

I recently came across the Mtn Hardwear Phantom 32D... Anybody had any experience with these? And does a size Long really only weigh 21 oz?

I've got the Phantom 45 [can't remember which length], which weighs 20.6oz. I would expect the Phantom 32 to be at least in the 24-25oz range.
-Mark

[The Solemates]

I've got the Phantom 45 [can't remember which length], which weighs 20.6oz. I would expect the Phantom 32 to be at least in the 24-25oz range.
-Mark

Yea, I suspect the 21 oz they list on their website is for a size XXXXS or something crazy. Glad to hear the actual weight from real scales.

[Kerosene]

I would still like to get my wife's pack weight down, since this is 17% of her weight while mine is about 6.6% of my weight. Quite a bit skewed, but it is hard to get your weight down that much unless you have the money (and I don't, still a grad student).

A really easy way to get her pack weight down is to have you carry some of her stuff!!!

[gravityman]

FSO + Food/water/fuel weight is down to around 17 and 22 lbs respectively, and now she loves to hike. I would still like to get my wife's pack weight down, since this is 17% of her weight while mine is about 6.6% of my weight. Quite a bit skewed, but it is hard to get your weight down that much unless you have the money (and I don't, still a grad student).

First, the best way to get your weight down is to get rid of stuff. This should get you to a base weight of around 20 lbs w/o food or water. You can only do so much of this. Then it is replacing gear with lighter gear. You can save a few lbs here and there, but nothing too drastic.

Second, my wife and I try to carry equal percentages of our body weights. this seems to be 16% for each of us for our March 1 start with food and water. This means I am carrying a whole lot more food than her... But what it does is make us hike a more even pace, which is really really nice.

So, take some of her stuff. I know, it's her stuff, and it feels like you are "carrying her" but in reality, you are a team, and teams help each other out. The issue that my wife and I come up against most often is I feel like she is carrying unecissary stuff, and I am getting "punished" for it. But we talk it out, decide, and then I try really hard not to throw away the extra wet wipes that I am sure we don't need (but that I will really enjoy when I need them! She's always right... sigh...)

Enjoy!

Gravity