Ok, still not UL but critique the packweight please

[swamprat]

Here is a list of everything,, down to the t.p

osprey atmos 65
henry shires tarptent
big agnas sleeping bag
insulated air core pad
silk bag liner
msr liquid fuel stove
fuel bottle w/fuel
aluminum .9 pot
plastic cup
plastic spoon
gravity filter/two platy bags
1 camelbak
1 small headlamp
guide book
pen
small notebook
12 x 12 camp towel (sea to summit)
1 bandana
4 dry sacks seperating food, cloths, misc items, puffy jacket




toiletries/
1/4 roll or less t.p.
travel size deodorant
travel toothpaste
toothbrush
nail clippers

first aid
3 bandaids
moleskin
2 small packets antibiotic ointment

cloths
night/capalene shirt, light socks
day/ wicking shirt
smart wool lg sleeve
puffy jacket
light base layer pants
convertible pants
2 pair socks/one worn
2 pair underwear +1 worn
tarp/poncho

electronics
smartphone
charger
pentax pt and shoot camera
charger
small rechargeable charger very small maybe 4 oz. (will recharge phone at least 1.5 times)

total with food 37 lbs

How you guys keep it under 20 lbs and survive, I'm impressed.

[Lone Wolf]

that's average. just go and add or subtract stuff as you go. you'll be fine

[takethisbread]

that's average. just go and add or subtract stuff as you go. you'll be fine

True. You'll figure it out. It helps to list your departure date, it affects the gear required

[takethisbread]

that's average. just go and add or subtract stuff as you go. you'll be fine

True. You'll figure it out. It helps to list your departure date, it affects the gear required

[MuddyWaters]

You didnt list any weights!

Your pack is heavier than needs to be (could be 2.5 lbs)
Your tent is heavier than needs to be (could be a 1lb cuben tent)
your sleeping bag and pad is heavier than needs to be (try a Western Mountaineering -lite series)
a bag liner is weight that is much better put to use in the bag itself
Alcohol stove for solo trail use is lighter
get rid of filter, carry Aqua Mira or bleach for questionable water sources
dont need camelback, drink from water bottles
take only guidebook pages you need, bounce the rest
DRY SACKS are heavy. All you need are sacks (cuben) to organize
use a hefty trash compactor liner to waterproof your pack. (2oz)

Your ancestors didnt have toilet paper, you dont need it either.
deodorant?? LMAO
Make dried toothpaste dots, cut handle off toothbrush and drill holes to lighten
get a UL knife (swiss army) that has scissors for nails. Also can be used to open food. Nailclippers are not multipurpose
Electronics?

There is no reason not to be 15-20 lbs before food/water even with winter gear, and an avg carried wt of 20-25 lbs, 30 max.

[Lone Wolf]

You didnt list any weights!

Your pack is heavier than needs to be (could be 2.5 lbs)
Your tent is heavier than needs to be (could be a 1lb cuben tent)
your sleeping bag and pad is heavier than needs to be (try a Western Mountaineering -lite series)
a bag liner is weight that is much better put to use in the bag itself
Alcohol stove for solo trail use is lighter
get rid of filter, carry Aqua Mira or bleach for questionable water sources
dont need camelback, drink from water bottles
take only guidebook pages you need, bounce the rest
DRY SACKS are heavy. All you need are sacks (cuben) to organize
use a hefty trash compactor liner to waterproof your pack. (2oz)

Your ancestors didnt have toilet paper, you dont need it either.
deodorant?? LMAO
Make dried toothpaste dots, cut handle off toothbrush and drill holes to lighten
get a UL knife (swiss army) that has scissors for nails. Also can be used to open food. Nailclippers are not multipurpose
Electronics?

There is no reason not to be 15-20 lbs before food/water even with winter gear, and an avg carried wt of 20-25 lbs, 30 max.

swamprat, this works for him. most likely not for you. you'll get 100 pieces of "advice" from all the experts. go with what you got

[Blissful]

cut handle off toothbrush and drill holes to lighten

I've seen people advocate this. I do not. You can't grip the brush handle properly to brush properly. Esp back teeth that can easily get decayed. All you need is one bad tooth to get you really sick.

DO not save .00002 ounce by sawing off a toothbrush handle.

[Blissful]

Rather skimpy first aid, imo. I'd take duct tape also. Blisters are a big factor heading out. Include some aspirin in your kit at your age. Might want Tylenol also.
You're taking a heavy stove, which accounts for weight
You've got chargers for everything. Esp with a camera charger, I'd consider a bounce box for it.
Don't need nail clippers if you have a small jackknife with scissors.
I'd get some dri ducks instead of your poncho.
You're carrying a lot of water bags. I'd cut one.
Need a hat, gloves
bear bag rope?
Hope your spoon is lexan, plastic melts in hot food
Bet you have too much food also...

[MuddyWaters]

He asked for critique, and queried how people got to below 20 lbs.

My son and I will do a quick trip in a couple weeks, our packs will be right around 15 lbs for 3 days w/ food and water. Although we may do the distance in just 2 if we feel like pushing hard enough on day 1. That is the freedom a light pack affords you.

Cutting the handle off the toothbrush to save ~.2 oz isnt even the point. The point is to have analyzed each and every item in your pack, no matter how small or trivial, and know that you are carrying the absolute lightest form of each,( possibly that you choose to afford ) that will do the function its intended to do. Carry multipurpose items when possible to delete others, and carry nothing that doesnt have a definite defined use.

grams add up to ounces, ounces to lbs, and lbs to misery

[swamprat]

He asked for critique, and queried how people got to below 20 lbs.

My son and I will do a quick trip in a couple weeks, our packs will be right around 15 lbs for 3 days w/ food and water. Although we may do the distance in just 2 if we feel like pushing hard enough on day 1. That is the freedom a light pack affords you.

Cutting the handle off the toothbrush to save ~.2 oz isnt even the point. The point is to have analyzed each and every item in your pack, no matter how small or trivial, and know that you are carrying the absolute lightest form of each,( possibly that you choose to afford ) that will do the function its intended to do. Carry multipurpose items when possible to delete others, and carry nothing that doesnt have a definite defined use.

grams add up to ounces, ounces to lbs, and lbs to misery

Great info muddywaters. one day I may try the ultra light route. For now, this old geiser wants a little comfort. As stated, You guys impress the hell out of me with the UL hiking. Thanks for the info.

[skinewmexico]

For now, this old geiser wants a little comfort.

I don't get this line of thinking that buying lighter weight gear is uncomfortable. Use the lightest tool for the job. I guess the philosophical question you have to answer is "am I camping, or hiking?".

[swamprat]

I don't get this line of thinking that buying lighter weight gear is uncomfortable. Use the lightest tool for the job. I guess the philosophical question you have to answer is "am I camping, or hiking?".

Well, for the next 5 months, I figue I will be doing some of both. See ya on the trail.

[MuddyWaters]

Of course, hiking with my son can be :

share of 2P tent = 13 oz ~$250 (this one was expensive = $500 for 2p at 26 oz)
sleeping bag = 19 oz (summerlite = $250 used)
pack = 23 oz (ula ohm = $110 used)
pad = 3.5 oz (gossamer gear nightlite torso if temp is > 30s, pack under legs)= $15

Big 4 = 58.5 oz = 3.65 lb

[Slo-go'en]

Swamprat, we need to know the weight with out food or water. Those are variables and we can't judge your base weight with them included. Especially since you didn't list weights of the individual items.

Do you have a 20 pound base with 17 pounds of food and water or do you have a 35 pound base with 2 pounds of food and water?

I have all you got and more with a base wieght of 17-18 pounds, which is good for early spring in the south. Not hard to do.

[TOMP]

Whatever you do dont skim on cold weather gear to lower your pack weight. Only you know what you need to stay warm. Everything I have read indicates that there will be a need for cold weather gear so be weary of anyone suggesting that you dump some insulation for a few ounces. They wont be out there on the day when it is cold and you need it. Maybe that person is warm enough without it or maybe they just dont hike when its cold you just dont know. Again only you know what you need to stay warm.

[Lugh]

Here is a list of everything,, down to the t.p

osprey atmos 65
henry shires tarptent
big agnas sleeping bag
insulated air core pad
silk bag liner
msr liquid fuel stove
fuel bottle w/fuel
aluminum .9 pot
plastic cup
plastic spoon
gravity filter/two platy bags
1 camelbak
1 small headlamp
guide book
pen
small notebook
12 x 12 camp towel (sea to summit)
1 bandana
4 dry sacks seperating food, cloths, misc items, puffy jacket




toiletries/
1/4 roll or less t.p.
travel size deodorant
travel toothpaste
toothbrush
nail clippers

first aid
3 bandaids
moleskin
2 small packets antibiotic ointment

cloths
night/capalene shirt, light socks
day/ wicking shirt
smart wool lg sleeve
puffy jacket
light base layer pants
convertible pants
2 pair socks/one worn
2 pair underwear +1 worn
tarp/poncho

electronics
smartphone
charger
pentax pt and shoot camera
charger
small rechargeable charger very small maybe 4 oz. (will recharge phone at least 1.5 times)

total with food 37 lbs

How you guys keep it under 20 lbs and survive, I'm impressed.

They spend a TON of money. That is how.

[moocow]

They spend a TON of money. That is how.

amen to that! i've seen a lot of these ultra ultralight hiker's gear lists and have summed it up to two categories.
they have all decided that weight trumps all.

some use their pocket book. they'll spend up to a thousand dollars on shelter and a sleeping bag alone. and all in the name of saving, if they're lucky, a pound.

then there are those that remove so many of the small things that i would personally find myself completely miserable without them.

here's a small list of things that i choose to carry and that more than a few ultra ultralighters don't.
water filtering system
shelter
long pants (or even convertible pants for that matter)
rain jacket
rain pants
underwear
an extra pair of socks
camp shoes
and extra long sleeve shirt
a fleece for when its cooler than expected
camera (after all, phone will do the same job)
stove
cup
camp towel
notebook
bag liner
pack rain cover
deodorant

the list goes on but you get the idea.
that's how you get those incredibly low pack weights.

[swamprat]

Hey thethinker, i was looking for this type of response for us average people.... What is your pack weight with about 4 days of food?

[ezNomad]

I don't know how you have 37lbs. I'm at 31lbs with a regular solo tent (REI T1 quarter) and more random stuff, and more electronics. I weighed my pack twice with everything in it and added up weight. My base is 23 lbs 1.5lb pack, ~7lb tent/pad/bag, 1.5lb cookingset, 6lb packed clothes, 2.5lb misc supplies, 4lb electronics (not including worn pocketed smartphone/camera). Maybe food/water? I only plan to carry 6 pounds food (to resupply every 4 days at least initially) and 1 litre water.

[swamprat]

I don't know how you have 37lbs. I'm at 31lbs with a regular solo tent (REI T1 quarter) and more random stuff, and more electronics. I weighed my pack twice with everything in it and added up weight. My base is 23 lbs 1.5lb pack, ~7lb tent/pad/bag, 1.5lb cookingset, 6lb packed clothes, 2.5lb misc supplies, 4lb electronics (not including worn pocketed smartphone/camera). Maybe food/water? I only plan to carry 6 pounds food (to resupply every 4 days at least initially) and 1 litre water.

Its got to be the food and water. Reading your list makes me PROUD!! You need a truck, not a backpack. Just kidd'n. I do see where I should be lighter though. How are you weighing your stuff?