| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
Also on Backpacker.com
Backpacker Magazine – August 2009
Ultralight Done Right: Pack This...Not That
Leave this gear on the bedroom floor.
-
Tags:
- Gear |
- Ultralight |
CUT LIST
The cheapest way to lighten up is to leave gear behind. Drop these items–rankedby expendability– starting from the top, until you reach your target load (average weights in pounds, ounces.).
1. Binocs (0,15)
2. Camp chair (0,8)
3. Trowel (0,2)
4. iPod (0,5)
5. Deck of cards (0,3)
6. Deodorant (0,3)
7. Camp shoes (0,10)
8. Pillow (0,4)
9. Wine (1,10)
10. Stove, mug cookware–time to join the raw-food craze (1,0)
11. Tent (4,0)
12. Camera (0,9)
13. TP–that's what leaves are for (0,1)
14. Toothpaste/toothbrush (0,1)
15. Sleeping pad–what, you're getting soft? (1,10)
Next Page--Perfect Light-Weight Substitutes>>
Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter
Reader Rating:
-
Editors' Choice 2013
412 trail-tested products
Boost Your Apps
Add powerful tools and exclusive maps to your BACKPACKER apps through our partnership with Trimble Outdoors.
Carry the Best Maps
With BACKPACKER PRO Maps, get life-list destinations and local trips on adventure-ready waterproof myTopo paper.
FREE Rocky Mountain Trip Planner
Sign up for a free Rocky Mountain National Park trip planning kit from our sister site MyRockyMountainPark.com.
Get 2 FREE Trial Issues and 3 FREE GIFTS
Survival Skills 101 • Eat BetterThe Best Trails in America
YES! Please send me my FREE trial issues of Backpacker
and my 3 FREE downloadable booklets.
Free trial offer valid for US subscribers only.
Canadian subscriptions |
International subscriptions
and my 3 FREE downloadable booklets.
READERS COMMENTS
Yeah! Go RAW Food! Healthier, lighter, and no clean-up! Woohoo!
Trowel? are we leaving "no trace" behind too? Sure, you could use a stick to dig your cat hole (if you really wanted to)...but what about your no trace fire pit?
I never use deodorant when backpacking. All it does is attract bugs. And I like a clean butt, TP weighs next to nothing anyway. iPod shuffle ftw!
alcohol free here.
Naw, nothing like a wee tipple to finish off a day on the trail. I use an alcohol stove made out of an aluminum pet food can, and fuel it with Everkleer, or Bacardi 151. A dash of food-grade stove fuel in a cup of hot gatorade boosts the electrolytes, warms the tummy and the spirit!!
Hiking without alcohol? Yeah, you could, but why would you? Just substitute whiskey for wine. (Or any other liquor.) Definitely more of a pack this, not that than something any sane person would drop.
Wine is #9 on your list? I'm definitely going to lose the wine before my deodorant!
Here's funny way to trim down. Look at the stuff and say, "What would Frodo carry?"
OK, Sam carried an iron pot and a pack, but they went light: One set of clothes, no tent, little food, walking staff, no shoes, a cape that served as a sleeping blanket, a sword that doubled as a light, mithril base-layer and one piece of jewelry (which weighed him down and he eventually tossed).
Wine is No. 9? At almost 2 pounds, I think people can stay sober in the back country. After all, I thought alcohol was an escape when you can't leave the city.
ADD A COMMENT