Adventure Alan’s Ultralight Backpacking Checklist

Display 7.6 Lb. equipment list.

At under 8 pounds for a base pack weight, and just over 11 pounds including all that I wear and carry (excluding food and water) I’m on the lower end, even for ultralight backpacking. My equipment list is intended work for me in the limited conditions as described below. It should not be relied upon in extreme environmental conditions.

WARNING! You should not attempt to emulate mine, or any other ultralight equipment list, unless you are an experienced backpacker and have a good idea of what you’re doing. Not having the right equipment, and/or unfamiliarity with ultralight backpacking techniques, could result in serious problems, injury, or even death. Work up to lighter equipment a bit at a time with judicious testing on short outings. Take plenty of backup equipment until you have confidence that your ultralight equipment will keep you warm and safe. This takes time. Don’t rush it.

My ultralight list (7.6 lb.) is limited to:

• Early to late Summer trips to Western Mountains -- Sierras or Rockies

      (slightly longer season for Northeastern US)

• Night time temperatures not much below freezing
• Trail hiking and cross country routes not to exceed class III
• Might be a bit iffy at some windy, exposed, high altitude camp sites
• Is a bit optimistic about snowfall, although I can suffer through it, if necessary
• Doesn’t handle heavy insect pressure well

I have a second list, with slightly more stuff (9.8 lb.) that is for:

• Late spring/early fall trips to Western Mountains -- Sierras or Rockies
• Night time temperatures in the range of +10 to +20 F
• Limited to trail hiking and cross country not to exceed class III
• Deals better, but not perfectly, with a snow contingency

What Makes My List Work?

·        Mostly, I take everything that the usual backpacker takes, just a lighter version of it. Forget things like a 2 pound Gore Tex Jacket or a 3 pound sleeping bag. Sometimes my lighter equipment is every bit as good as heavier equipment. Sometimes my lighter equipment has some performance limitations and is less durable than heavier equipment. In this case, I believe that the reduction in weight exceeds the limitations of the lighter equipment. With care and proper use the equipment works fine. Manufacturers over-design equipment.

·        I take little or no duplicate or backup equipment. E.g. all of the clothes, sleep system and shelter I take, when used together, should keep me just warm and safe enough for the lowest anticipated temperatures and worst weather.

·        I don’t take stuff I don’t need. This includes, camp shoes, rain pants, hiking shorts, underwear (briefs), books, multi-tools, knives over an ounce, most stuff sacks, towels, bathing suit, deodorant, etc.

·        I don’t take more of anything than I need. E.g. I don’t take an 8 oz. tube of sunscreen or toothpaste when I only need an oz. or less. (An ounce of sunscreen lasts me over a week.) This stuff can really add up of you aren’t careful.

·        When I solo, I don’t take a stove or cooking equipment. I eat cold food. I take caffeine pills for my morning buzz. I can deal with this. (Note: Many ultralight backpackers do take stoves. Just small light ones. When I hike with others, I usually take a stove, and do civilized stuff like make coffee & tea. See additions a the end of my list.)

Dr. Ryan Jordan has an excellent discussion on ultralight backpacking, “Ultralight vs. Lightweight Backpacking.”

Dr. Jordan’s whole web site is a great resource for ultralight backpacking.

The Big Three – Pack, Shelter, and Sleep System – Save 10 to 12 Pounds

• Pack – GoLite Breeze Mfr Link. Under one pound. No hip belt. At the weights I carry I don’t need, or even want, a hip belt. This pack is not as “bombproof” as a standard pack and can’t be indiscriminately bashed or dragged around. With proper care this is not a problem. I need to pack my equipment carefully to get a comfortable carry from this pack. Described in my RMNP trip report and my 2000 Sierra Trip.

• Sleep System – Rab Top Bag Mfr Link Where to buy?, Cut-Down Foam Pad, Tyvek ground sheet. The Top Bag is a 17 ounce, +32 F, down mummy bag without a zipper or hood. It also has most of the bottom of the bag replaced with lightweight mesh instead of insulation. Described in my 2000 Sierra trip report. A standard blue foam pad cut down to 20 x 40 inches weights only 5 oz. and provides all the insulation and comfort I need.

• Shelter 1 – Silnylon Tarp from Campmor Mfr Link. Around a half pound. Inexpensive and light. Needs some care pitching to provide proper protection from wind and rain. Less durable than a thicker nylon tarp. Treat carefully. No bug protection.

• Shelter 2 – SilShelter by Integral Designs Mfr Link. Under one pound. Essentially a floorless, non-freestanding, tent. Uses a single center pole. It’s light and provides better, wind, rain and snow protection than a tarp. Somewhat easier to pitch than a tarp but still needs some care pitching to provide proper protection from wind and rain. Less durable than a thicker nylon tent. Treat carefully. Again, no bug protection. Described in my RMNP trip report.

A Brief List of Other Notable Weight Savings

• Silnylon Poncho - save 2 to 2.5 lb. over Gore Tex jacket pants.
• or Marmot PreCip Jacket or Patagonia Essenshell Pullover (no rain pants*) - save 1.5  to 2+ lb. over Gore Tex jacket and pants. *Nylon trail pants over wicking long underwear are adequate for most summer weather.
• Moonstone Cirrus Vest - save up to 1.5 lb. over a fleece jacket.
• No camp shoes - Save up to 2 pounds over running shoes or Tevas.
• Trail Running Shoes – save 1.5 to 3 pounds over heavy hiking boots. At the weights I’m carrying, running shoes are not a problem.
• Skip heavy cases and stuff sacks - Use a few silnylon stuff sacks (or here) and zip-loc baggies. Get rid of all unnecessary packaging.
• Small LED lights (weigh nothing) - save 0.5 lb. over incandescent flashlights (or here)
• In-line, gravity water filter, flexible water bladders - save 0.5 to 1 lb. over pump/rigid bottle systems. General information on setting up an inline filter system.
• I still like my PUR Hiker pump filter and may take it from time to time. (Iodine is  always a very cheap, very light option.)

A short note about cameras

Link to my backpacking food page

EQUIPMENT LINKS

Packs

ULA's P1: ultralight with comfort! P2: light with a frame.
http://www.ula-equipment.com

GoLite Breeze – under one pound!
http://www.golite.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/scstore/product_categories/packs.html?L+scstore+pcbt7897+982366099

Wildthings AT Pack
http://www.wildthingsgear.com/packs.html#at

Bozeman Mountain Works RatPack
http://biofilm.eps.montana.edu/bozemanmountainworks/default2.htm

GVP Packs (another sub-pound pack)

www.gvpgear.com

Shelter

ULA's T2: ultralight shelter. T3: ultralight tent!
http://www.ula-equipment.com

Campmore 6x8 Silnylon Tarp
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=88642&prmenbr=226

SilShelter
http://www.integraldesigns.com/bivy/silshlt.htm

Other Tarp & Light Tent Ideas

SilTarp
http://www.integraldesigns.com/bivy/siltarp.htm

Oware has nice silnylon tarps in many sizes, including square, which is not that common. They are inexpensive, and have many tie out loops. Both pluses.

The square shapes let you pitch the tarp in a flying diamond configuration.

Oware Tarps
http://owareusa.com/tarps.html
Oware Tents
http://owareusa.com/tents.html

GoLite Cave. A modified tarp with end breaks to provide better rain protection. Nice design but a high price.
http://www.golite.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/scstore/product_categories/shelters.html?L+scstore+mmjd2938+983479832

Wanderlust Nomad 2 pound tent
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/
http://www.wanderlustgear.com/NewDesigns.htm

Trekking poles: Although I don’t use them, many ultralight hikers do. They are great for setting tarps and ultralight tents.

http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4500557&seq=1&sort=1

Also check out the golf ball retriever tent pole

http://www.wanderlustgear.com/poles.htm

Sleep Systems
 

RAB Elite Top Bag
http://www.rab.uk.com/pages/sleeping/sleep_prod/elite.html

Other Light Sleep Choices

Western Mountaineering Ultralight

This is somewhat of an ultralight standard
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/ultralite.htm

Nunatak – both bags are good ultralight choices
http://www.nunatakgear.com/alpinist.htm
http://www.nunatakgear.com/bcblanket.htm

Feathered Friends
http://www.featheredfriends.com/bags/bags.htm

(look at Hummingbird and Great Auk)

Marmot Hydrogen and Helium Bags
(Out Spring 2001 but not on their site yet.)
http://www.marmot.com/products/products_home.html

Note: Don’t forget that you can make a very light quilt with 1.1 oz. nylon and PrimaLoft or other insulation for not much money.

Link to instructions to make a lightweight quilt: http://www.litebackpacker.com/make-quilt/index.html

Supplies from: Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics Inc. (they also carry silnylon for tarps, stuff sacks, rainwear etc.)

http://www.owfinc.com/

Campmor Emergency Blanket (5.5 oz. ground sheet)
http://www.campmor.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=99841

Foam Pad (cut down to what you can tolerate)
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=302&prmenbr=8000

Mount Washington Pad – cushy and only 7 oz

http://www.paramountoutfitters.com/

Rain Shells

Equinox Silnylon Poncho
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__PRODUCTID=EQ1200

For lightweight W/B shells try Marmot's PreCip and Lowe's Adrenaline.  Both run around 12-14 oz and $100.
See my previous message:
http://www.egroups.com/message/BackpackingLight/28951

Marmot PreCip Jacket
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=4521519&prmenbr=8000
http://www.marmot.com/products/clothing/cloth_prod_rain_precipjkt.html

Lowe Adrenaline Anorak
http://www.lowealpine.com/3/home/fr_hm_l.htm

If price is an issue checck out Red Ledge's $60, W/B, Thunderlight Jacket.
http://www.redledge.com/

Frogg Toggs are inexpensive very light W/B rain wear (12-15 oz for jacket  and pants!). Some swear by these, others have issues with durability.

Don Johnston prefers the coat as it provides coverage to just below the knee.
http://www.froggtoggs.com/Products.html

If breathability is a big issue, and you don't believe you'll be hiking in
pouring rain all the time, you many want to look at water resistant but
highly breathable shells. If so, check out Patagonia's Essenshell in both a
pullover and a jacket.

Patagonia Essenshell Pullover
http://www.patagonia.com/webapp/commerce/Pgonia/Product.jsp?merchant_rn=7385&prrfnbr=2058&sku=83650

Most manufacturers make some sort of water resistant highly breathable
shell and some can be light and inexpensive. Also look at Marmot's DriClime
Pullover, Wind Shirt, or Omni Jacket.

Driclime Pullover
http://www.marmotmountain.com/marmotgear/shdriclime/drclimpo.html

A british mfr., Paramo, makes some lightweight breathable shells. You can
check it out at:

http://www.paramo.co.uk/default.asp

 Michael has a discussion of them at:
http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/chklist.htm

Mountain hardware also makes a pricy but nice series of jackets and wind
shirts in their Tempest SL line.
http://www.mountainhardwear.com/clothes/tempest.html

Other Clothing

Rail Riders Ecomesh Shirt
http://www.railriders.com/
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=48768
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=645812&prmenbr=8000

REI Convertable Trail Pants
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=8000&prrfnbr=6721487

Foot wear

Most ultralight hikers prefer hiking in trail running shoes. This year, the New Balance 804 has replaced the venerable 803, probably the most popular hiking shoe with the ultralight crowd. If you don't like the New Balance, check out other sturdy trail running shoes like Montrail Vitesse or Solman Raidsports. These shoes are easy to find at most local athletic shoe stores and outdoor stores.

Road Runner Sports Trail Shoes

http://www.roadrunnersports.com/roadrunner/shoes_trail.asp

REI Trail Shoes

http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/CategoryDisplay?cgmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4501261&seq=1&sort=1

Water Treatment

Platypus 2 Liter Reservoir
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=353590&prmenbr=8000

General Info on How to Setup an In-Line  Gravity Filter System
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackingLight/files/A-WaterPurificationSystem/SWAGravityFilter.txt

SWA In-Line Filter Systems
http://www.safewateranywhere.com/outdoorline/outdoorline.html

Platypus Zip Hoser
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=9153240&prmenbr=8000

The Seychelle In-Line Filter doesn't seem to be commercially available. I
got mine directly from the manufacturer. The only portable filter they seem
to sell is their Bottom's Up water bottle.
http://www.seychelle.com/

PUR hiker
http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=8000&prrfnbr=2298

Misc Items

Silnylon Stuff Sacks
http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__PRODUCTID=EQ1000
http://www.golite.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/scstore/scstore/product_categories/products/pouch.html?L+scstore+pcbt7897+982336753

Small LED Flashlights

LED Lite: http://www.ledlite.com/pocketbright.html
Photon: http://www.photonlight.com/ or http://www.rei.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=6859&prmenbr=8000

Only the Lightest Camping Equipment
http://www.hikelight.com/