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The Ultralight Challenge: 2.0
Pick the gear I can carry on a trip to determine how low one man can go.
Jon on location in 2002 (Steve Howe)
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Tags:
- Gear |
- Ultralight |
- Rocky Mountains |
I Saw the Light
Read about Jon's 2002 adventure.
Read about Jon's 2002 adventure.
Back in 2002, I hit the trail to tackle a few weighty questions: Can a longtime luxury camper slash pounds and live to tell about it? Does a minimalist approach lead to more miles, more scenery, and easier hiking—without sacrificing good meals, warm sleep, and solid weather protection? Outfitted in gear chosen by readers (you denied me a change of underwear—thanks, guys), I spent a week on California's Lost Coast and—despite truly foul weather—came back a convert.
Now it's time to try again. The quality of ultralight gear has improved dramatically, and weights have dropped by as much as 50 percent. That's a good thing—my legs have 5,000 more miles on them—but this experiment can't be a cakewalk. Not if we're going to answer this episode's burning question: Can a kit that weighs less than two gallons of water really keep me warm, dry, and comfortable? That'll be a challenge on this trip, because I'm upping the ante by heading for the high country. I'll spend five days above 10,000 feet in the Rockies, facing an unpredictable mix of wind, cold, rain, and even snow. If this gear has any weaknesses, this environment will surely expose them.
How low should I go? You decide.
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READERS COMMENTS
this is nuts i would never go backpacking without a compass, map, first-aid kit, multi tool and fire-starter those are musts and all are at 10% or below right now. I can't believe that only 1.6% think he should bring an ipod... come on, that makes the trip soooo much better.
He may not need extra underwear, but making him choose chocolate OR whiskey on this crazy adventure?!! Thats just harsh. haha
Hell with all that crap he is going throgh he needs chocolate and whiskey!!
I can't believe less than ten percent would send him out with a map or compass.
Rockies above 10k the weather can get nasty. Hope people don't vote absolute minimalist stuff just to put him through hell and don't consider where this trip is (although, as others mentioned, we don't know exactly where this is yet).
This article and 'challenge' is useless without specifics of the trip, there's not enough info to make a reasonable call on the gear. Essentially, this challenge is the opposite of what a good backpacker would do, go ultralight on no intel. Since we have no intel, the smart thing to do is not go light at all, bring a tent and a warm bag. You say you're going above 10k in the Rockies, but that's not enough info to know what to bring. Are you planning any snow climbs? When/where exactly are you going, the Park, colorado trail, tetons, what? Expected temps, snow conditions, water levels, rain, buggyness, beariness, ground/water/shelter conditions at each stop and importantly can you (legally) build a fire at all stops?
I like those thin hiking short style swim suits. No undies needed cuz you have the built in mesh thing. The boys are secure, yet can breathe. With a little bit of ingenuity, you can buy almost everything at Walmart. :) Light weight dining fly (for cover), nylon cord, small multi-tool, and the ever useful trash bag(s). What more do you need really? :)
Any combination of the above gear could be ample depending on the actual trip (which is not yet specified). Light loads go with good site intel. Average (heavy) loads go with single choice kits for terra incognita. Too bad the backyard is often feared/unknown. A heavy pack will ultimately hurt me. A light one might merit an occasional route change. Good to see this topic.
Forget the convertible pants. They're heavy and you're probably never going to wear the bottoms when you're moving. If you have shorts, long johns, and rain pants you will be set. That's been my clothing of choice in the Sangre de Cristos the last two times I've been.
Oh, and you should take the SPOT so readers can track you.
It would be nice to know when and where, but I think you're going to want that lightweight down jacket. Those hail storms can be nasty... especially when the weather goes from 95 and sunny to 40 and crappy.
I like the reviewing the stats after I voted. I found most interesting, the number one shelter choice (at my voting time) uses treking poles, and yet not many voted to bring any.
I'm wondering the when and where. RMNP in Aug? Lean on the old school lessons, and you'll need less than you listed.
- external frame pack
- springbar tent
- dutch oven
- coleman sleeping bag
- maglite (police style extra long)
That should do it.
I agree with above comment what about a fire starter and chapstick?
If the weather gets sucky, you are going to want (need) fire & shelter: bring a good knife & a (preferably several) reliable means of starting a fire! IIRC, the Rockies busted Survivorman ...
If the weather gets sucky, you are going to want (need) fire & shelter: bring a good knife & a (preferably several) reliable means of starting a fire! IIRC, the Rockies busted Survivorman ...
Camera so we can see how comfortable you are :)
How about firestarter and chapstick?
Great idea! Too bad it has been done countless times at BPL. A for effort, F for originality.
5 days doesn't warrant a change of clothes. Just a base layer to sleep in. There was no mention of temps so it was tough to select gear, but if you were planning on bringing a golite ultra then it seems the tempos won't get too low.
Seeing as you are not counting clothes and accessories in your baseweight, I can't imagine you would need more the 3 pounds of gear. Take a look on the market, plenty of UL stuff out there.
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