Every Gram Counts

This month, after years of continuous improvement/upgrades, I got my "comfortable" base weight down to less than 5 pounds. That includes a phone, a shelter, and cooked meals (no dry soaking), but not a battery bank, a bear bag, bear spray, or a Garmin Inreach. This setup is suitable for trips of up to 4 days (how long my phone will last if I'm frugal with power), in areas that allow Esbit stoves. Overnight temperatures can't be below 30F, and daytime temps of 35F or better. While there is some provision for rain, it assumes moderate measures are sufficient. If predicted conditions deviate, contingency items can be added: more clothes, a battery, a different quilt, a tent, a canister stove, etc.

This kit evolved by studying available gear, allowing strangers on Reddit to critique my setup (shakedown), and constantly searching for the lightest alternative/solution for every piece of gear/application. Some of that involved spending money. But some involved repurposing common items, thinking outside the box, challenging assumptions, and gaining experience/confidence - all of which are free.

One of the biggest improvements came by crafting items myself, or "MYOG" (Make Your Own Gear.) I'm no seamstress, yet I've managed to sew simple/square things like bags and ground sheets that weight substantially less than commercially available versions. Weight savings have been achieved by using lighter-weight materials. And MYOG was not limited to fabric stuff. I've assembled my own carbon fiber tent stakes, made my own bathtub floor from plastic, tape, and carbon fiber rods, made my own wind screen out of a cake pan, made my own pump sack (a dual-use item), and made my own rehydration coozie by repurposing some packing material. And new ideas continue to present themselves.

Ultralight, for me, is about scrutinizing each item and finding the lightest possible functional/reasonable solution. Some compromises are usually necessary - the trick is to find something where those compromises are reasonable/not absurd.

The grams are getting harder and harder to find (especially cheaply). However, just this week the good folks on Reddit were able to identify 2 areas where, for moderate cost, I might be able to eliminate 250ish grams. One involves MYOGing an alternate to something I currently own (an "overquilt"), and the other involves a substitute for one of my staple items - a foam pad - that is made in Japan vs. my American made one. We shall see if/how these two new leads pan out. If so, I'll sell my current solutions and adopt these new ones - and break the 5-pound barrier! (In the above linked Lighterpack, I've already counted them.)

Hike on, my friends!