How to go super ultralight and get down to that 5lb baseweight! Lots of little tricks involved and certainly a lot of experience required! But this is what I love most in hiking, the closeness to the outdoors through carrying less. The efficiency of being light, and the creativity to get there.
If you exclude my camera gear which I use to film these videos, I have done the Pacific Crest Trail with a 5.5lb pack, the Appalachian Trail with a 6lb pack, the Arizona Trail at 5.5lbs, and the Tahoe Rim Trail at 4.5lbs.
- You can see my PCT gear list here: https://youtu.be/7N-HAZHKLuE?si=xUHKL3NmIUFviUCj
My Favorite SUL Gear -
Backpack - https://tinyurl.com/mrbv9wv
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
Tarp 7x9 - https://tinyurl.com/4jtaxvd7
Quilt - https://tinyurl.com/5xu3p3sp
Foam Pad - https://tinyurl.com/y9pmjvhu
Tent Stakes - https://tinyurl.com/2bdb9ckf
Rain Jacket - https://tinyurl.com/yb3wpawk
Wind Pants - https://tinyurl.com/ymwvu2yw
Buff - https://amzn.to/40IPlzR
Fleece - https://tinyurl.com/4hxdpden
Battery Bank - https://amzn.to/3ZsLULu
Flashlight - https://tinyurl.com/mwp45exk
Bidet - https://tinyurl.com/5hav84xd
Water Filter - https://amzn.to/3UQXI9t
Trowel - https://amzn.to/3u6VIMr
Chaffe Cream - https://amzn.to/3bNorNu
Going so light certainly has it's risks, but it also has a lot of benefits! Without a hundred pieces of gear to shield you from the outdoors you will feel more close to it, you'll be able to put in higher mile days with significantly less effort so it's great for those going after an FKT or speed record, it can be a fun challenge when the weather is right, and for me it often feels like a greater achievement when I can do trails with so little gear.
Tips to go Super Ultralight:
- The biggest thing that I like to keep in mind is that 80oz equals 5lbs, which helps to put tiny changes into perspective. They add up quickly, and when nearing the 5lb range, this is your biggest focus. Many tiny changes.
- Great campsite selection becomes essential at lighter weights, as it allows you to carry less insulation, and a lighter shelter. Check out my video about campsite selection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxmnGNZnTj4
- Use a Fleece only, and no puffy. They are more versatile as you can hike in them without overheating. They are also more useful in bad weather as they will remain warm when wet. I would recommend one made of alpha as that is lightest.
- Any tarp is lighter than a tent and this is your lightest shelter option overall. I would recommend not going any smaller than 7x9 as you will get wet if you do. Tarps take time to learn, so practice often on short overnight trips near home.
- Accept some discomfort at camp. On the PCT and AT I knew out of the gate that my kit was not going to be warm enough for a couple of the nights, or in other words it was going to be perfect for 97% of the total trip. I accepted that discomfort in a trade for a much lighter kit.
- Research well, to pack less. Research and planning becomes pivotal at these lighter weights as you need to know every detail of weather, water, temperatures, bail out points, and difficulty to do this safely.
- Try going stoveless. Stoves are light, but their fuel isn't. Add on that the pots are often bulky. A stoveless setup is more efficient, and lighter weight. I use a small plastic peanut butter jar and that is my entire cook kit. My stoveless video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D7ayKKFHVw
- When planning trips try to focus on the warmer seasons so that you can carry less insulation.
- Weather awareness while out on trail can make or break your safety. Always check the weather when you can, and be aware of what terrain you are heading into and how weather will impact that.
0:00 - How to go Super Ultralight
0:59 - Benefits of SUL
2:26 - My Experience with SUL
3:14 - 80oz
3:32 - Campsite Selection
3:45 - Fleece
4:07 - Tarp
4:36 - Wind Pants
4:58 - Sleeping Pad
5:29 - Fabrics
6:04 - Calculated Discomfort
6:37 - Planning
7:14 - Stoveless
7:32 - Modifications
7:54 - Timing Matters
8:14 - Tent Stakes
8:32 - Rain Jacket
8:57 - Battery Bank
9:10 - Bugs
9:40 - Awareness
9:56 - Limitations
10:10 - Poncho Tarp
11:04 - Stuff Sacks
11:34 - Alternatives
12:35 - MYOG
Hope this video has been helpful! And as always, please be careful!
Hiking Essentials Shirt! http://jupiterhikes.com/product/hiking-essentials/
THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/
If you'd like more info about me, my hiking, or painting:
https://www.jupiterhikes.com
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