Ultralight backpacking
Ultralight backpacking (sometimes written as UL backpacking) is a style of lightweight
In the United States, the terms "light" and "ultralight" often refer to backpackers who carry gear with a base weight below 6.8 and 4.5 kg (15 and 10 lb) respectively. These weights are more easily achievable for smaller hikers. Larger hikers may need to carry clothes, shelters, sleep systems and backpacks that weigh up to 50% more. In contrast, traditional backpackers have base weights of 6.8 to 13.6 kg (15 to 30 lb), and in some cases (usually winter trips, extended trips in varying conditions, and multi-purpose trips requiring additional gear such as photography, fishing, and climbing) as much as 25 kg (55 lb) or more.
History
Ultralight backpacking was popularized by American rock climber Ray Jardine, whose 1992 book PCT Hiker's Handbook,[3] later retitled as Beyond Backpacking in 1999,[4] laid the foundations for many techniques that ultralight backpackers use today. Jardine claimed his first Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike was with a base weight of 5.7 kg (13 lb), and by his third PCT thru-hike it was below 4.5 kg (9.9 lb).[4]
Before modern equipment made it possible for ultralight hikers to buy most of their light-weight gear, there were hikers who adhered to an "ultralight" mentality. In the late 1800s, George W. Sears (a.k.a. "Nessmuk") hiked and paddled through the Appalachian territory with only a waxed canvas tarpaulin, walking stick / ridgepole, a small pan, and his trademark dual-bladed hatchet. He laid the foundations of ultra-light backpacking in his concise 1884 book, Woodcraft, which is still in print today.[citation needed]
Another 'early pioneer' was Grandma Gatewood, who thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1955 with only a duffel bag containing an army blanket, a plastic sheet, an umbrella, and other very simple gear that was much lighter than the heavy equipment common among hikers in those days.[5]
Philosophy and process
Ultralight backpackers believe a lower base weight allows them to cover longer distances and reduce stress on their bodies. This is particularly beneficial when thru-hiking a long-distance trail. However, gear made from some light high-performance materials (such as titanium, goose down and DCF) can be more expensive and less durable. Proponents might use the following steps.
- Weigh everything. Weigh every item and record its weight. This helps identify items with potential for weight reduction.
- Reduce each item's weight. Modify items to reduce weight, such as removing brand tags and cutting toothbrush handles.[4]
- Ration. Carry the minimal amount of consumables needed for a trip. This includes food, fuel and toiletries.
- Use group gear. Share items if backpacking with others. For example, a group of three may only require a single shelter and cook system. This gear can then be divided among the group.
- Lighten your feet. Sandals and trail-running shoes are usually lighter than hiking boots.
- Multi-purpose gear. Use single items for multiple tasks. For example, a poncho can also be used as a shelter, and trekking poles can be used as tent poles. A bandana can have many uses.
- Swap gear for skills. Learn skills that can replace equipment. For example, by knowing where to find water, a hiker need not carry as much.
- Replace gear. Purchase ultralight gear. This can be expensive but can offer significant weight reductions. Commonly, an ultralight backpacker will start by lightening their 'big three' - their shelter, sleep system, and backpack. Tents can be replaced with tarps or bivouacs (bivy), sleeping bags with down quilts and inflatable mattresses with foam pads.
- Carry less. Omit unnecessary items.
The 'big three'
A hiker's shelter, sleeping system, and backpack are considered to be the three major items for weight reduction.[6]
Shelter
Sleeping system
Narrow 'mummy-style' quilts and sleeping bags are lighter than traditional rectangular-shaped items. Down is lighter than synthetic fibers for insulation,[4] but is susceptible to loft loss caused by moisture.[7] Some quilts are bottom-less, relying on the user's sleeping pad to guard against cold ground. A top bag is more like a conventional sleeping bag in that it wraps around the user's entire body but the bottom fabric contains no insulation. The idea is that bottom insulation is compressed by a person's body, rendering any loft in that area useless. Some modern down sleeping bags are through-baffled and under-filled such that the user can shift all the insulation to the top of their body thereby maximizing its potential to retain heat. Ultralight hikers also tend to carry bags rated for warmer temperatures than traditional-weight backpackers, making up the difference on cold nights by wearing clothes to bed, such as a balaclava[4] or jacket. Careful camping site selection can avoid colder "hollows" (low points where cold air tends to collect)[4] or make use of natural wind barriers such as thick vegetation to compensate for less-warm gear. Foam pads can be lighter than inflatable mattresses.
Backpack
With a lighter shelter and sleeping system, the backpack can consist of lighter material and a less bulky frame or no frame at all. A common ultralight alternative to an internal frame pack is a frameless pack made of
Some backpackers make their own gear. Advantages include possible reduction of cost and the opportunity to customize the gear to the individual user. Additionally, if a homemade item fails, the hiker will know how to repair it. Lastly, commercial manufacturers often choose heavier, more durable material for their products in order to reduce the amount of care and maintenance required of the user (and minimize returns of damaged gear). With care, homemade lightweight gear can last as long as necessary.
Other gear
The remaining gear (such as
- Making a fire instead of carrying a stove.
- Light weight solid fuel stovesinstead of heavier gas stoves
- Single cook pot ("billycan") with a single spoon instead of a traditional mess kit
- Going stove-less, eating cold food, including cold soak foods such as couscous, rice noodles and oatmeal.
- hiking boots, and lightweight nylon socks instead of heavy woolsocks.
- A minimal amount of extra clothing.
- Plastic or silnylon bags instead of heavier stuff-sacks.
- A razor blade or a light 28 g (1 oz) small pocket knife instead of a heavier multi-tool.
- Chemical iodine tablets, chlorine dioxide) instead of heavier water filters.
- Lexan bottles or hydration packs.
- A 7.1 g (0.25 oz) .
Consumables
In addition to carrying equipment, hikers must also carry consumables such as water and food, and in some cases fuel. Some ultralight backpackers save weight by resupplying these items more frequently. On long-distance trails with multiple access points, some ultralight hikers choose to place food caches or stop at stores to resupply consumables at frequent intervals, allowing just two or three days' worth of food to be carried in place of a larger load.
Water
Water can be a significant contributor to pack weight because moderate activity in a moderate climate requires 2 L (2.1 US qt) of
Some ultralight hikers reduce the weight of
Food
After shelter, a sleeping system, the backpack and water, food is the biggest contributor to pack weight and an area where substantial gains over traditional backpacking can be made.
The
Many foods can be dried or
Weight can also be reduced by choosing calorie-dense foods.
thus carrying foods high in fat content can reduce weight, such as:- Peanut butter (5.89 kcal/gram[8])
- Nuts (Pecans are 6.87 kcal/gram,[8] toasted coconut is 5.92 kcal/gram[12])
- Pemican (5.7 kcal/gram[13])
- Dried whole egg (5.92 kcal/gram[8])
Clarified butter (anhydrous), which stores sell unrefrigerated, is almost pure fat (8.76 kcal/gram[14]), thus about 4,000 kcal per pound; however, it is also a potent bear attractant.[citation needed]
Food protection
In some parts of the United States an approved bear-resistant food storage container is a required item for hikers, which will add between 710 g (1 lb 9 oz) and 1.4 kg (3 lb 2 oz) to the base pack weight. These areas include parts of Yosemite National Park,[16][17] Rocky Mountain National Park and the Eastern High Peaks Zone.[18]
See also
- Camping
- Campfire
- Campsite
- Fabrics:
- Fire
- Food
- Nutrition
- Camping food
- Outdoors cooking
- Backpacking-wilderness food
- Survival-skills food
- Hammock
- Hammock camping
- Heated clothes
- Hiking
- Hiking equipment
- Knot
- Leave No Trace
- Survival skills
- Mini survival kits
- Survival kit
- Survivalism
- Ten Essentials
- Scout Outdoor Essentials
- Search and rescue
- Tent
- Wilderness backpacking
- Water
- Wilderness diarrhea
References
- ^ ISBN 0-9748188-2-8.
- ^ Mike Clelland (2011). Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips For Extremely Lightweight Camping. Helena, Montana: FalconGuides Press.
- ISBN 0-9632359-0-7.
- ^ ISBN 0-9632359-3-1.
- ^ Freeling, Elisa (Nov–Dec 2002). "When Grandma Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail". Sierra.
- ^ "Where To Start". Ultralightbackpacker.com. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ ISBN 0-375-70323-3.
- ^ a b c d e f Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills
- ^ "USDA food database: Snacks, trail mix". Nal.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "What to eat when hiking? 4 rules to maximize intake while carrying less". 23 October 2017.
- ^ "Online Merck Manual: Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats". Merck.com. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "USDA food database: Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), toasted". Nal.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "Methods of meat preservation without refrigeration". FAO. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "USDA food database: Butter oil, anhydrous". Nal.usda.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-03-03. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "Fueling up with Energy Bars". 2001.
- ^ "Food Storage in Yosemite National Park". 2008.
- ^ "SEKI Allowed Food Storage Containers for Use in 2010" (PDF). 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
- ^ "Bear Resistant Canister Regulation - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation". www.dec.ny.gov. Archived from the original on 2008-01-23.