Base pack Ultralight backpacking

1 base pack

1.1 rain shelter
1.2 sleeping system
1.3 backpack
1.4 examples
1.5 other gear

base pack

the rain shelter, sleeping system, , backpack considered 3 major items carried backpackers. consequently, reducing weight of these reduce overall pack weight.

rain shelter

many ultralight backpackers use tarp tent system trekking pole serves structure tent.

the common rain shelter in use tent, these relatively heavy due number of reasons. designed 2 layers of fabric (to address internal condensation problem), require use of metal poles, stakes, , include separate ground cloth protect tent bottom. replacing double-wall tent simple tarp , bivy combination reduce not weight volume carried in backpack. other methods reduce shelter weight include single layer tarp tent hybrids, hammocks, poncho-tarps, or use of bivy sack (alpine style) sole shelter. although lightest possible shelter systems tarps, there shelters in between mainstream heavy tents such tarptents require less skill use tarps. weight decreases, skill use shelter safely increases.

sleeping system

reduction in weight of second of big three, sleeping system, achieved through reduction of quantity of fabric used in manufacture or through use of lighterweight materials in construction. use of down insulation material lighter volume available synthetic fibers decrease bag weight alternately suffer susceptibility loft loss caused moisture. reducing overall weight of sleeping bag eliminating superfluous material reduce weight. example of use of sleeping quilt or top bag. sleeping quilt bottom-less insulated blanket has no insulation on bottom side, relying on user s sleeping pad guard against conductive heat loss ground. top bag more conventional sleeping bag in wraps around user s entire body bottom fabric contains no insulation. philosophy behind these 2 alternatives insulation crushed under person s weight devoid of air , therefore useless. modern down sleeping bags through-baffled , under-filled such user can shift insulation top of body thereby maximizing potential retain heat. ultralight hikers tend carry bags rated warmer temperatures traditional-weight backpackers, making difference on cold nights wearing insulated clothing bed, such balaclava or insulated jacket. proper camping site selection avoids colder hollows (low points cold air tends collect) or makes use of natural wind barriers such thick vegetation or cliffs makes difference in heat lost lighter gear.

backpack

with lighter shelter , sleeping system, backpack can consist of lighter material , less bulky frame or no frame @ all. common ultralight alternative internal frame pack frameless pack made of ripstop nylon, silnylon, or dyneema, or cuben fibre carrying limit of 25 pounds (11 kg). internal-frame pack can weigh upwards of 6 pounds (2.7 kg) features such hip belt stabilizers, lifter straps, sternum straps, , compression straps; ultralight frameless packs commercially available in weights ranging 8 fourteen ounces (200-400 g) , can consist of not more sack shoulder straps, return simplicity of rucksack. jardine s book includes directions make own ultralight pack .

some backpackers choose make own gear. advantages such approach include possible reduction of cost , opportunity customize gear individual user. additionally, if homemade item break down, hiker in better position repair it. lastly, commercial manufacturers choose heavier, more durable material products in order reduce amount of care , maintenance required of user (and minimize returns of damaged gear). given proper care, homemade lightweight gear can last long needed.

examples

jardine:

backpack: homemade ultralight pack (13.5 ounces (380 g))
sleeping system: homemade polarguard 2-inch (5.1 cm) thick quilt (33 ounces (940 g)); stowbag (1.75 ounces (50 g)); trimmed ⁄8-inch (9.5 mm) thick, 36-inch (91 cm) long, closed cell polyethylene pad (4.8 ounces (140 g)); space blanket ground sheet (1.25 ounces (35 g))
rain shelter: homemade 9-foot (2.7 m) 7-foot (2.1 m) silnylon tarp (12 ounces (340 g)); 8 aluminum tent stakes , stowbag (2.6 ounces (74 g)); guyline cord (0.5 ounces (14 g))
total: 69.4 ounces (1.97 kg; 4.34 lb)

jordan:

backpack: commercial ultralight pack (3.7 ounces (100 g))
sleeping system: commercial 2.25-inch (5.7 cm) loft down sleeping bag (15.2 ounces (430 g)); spinnaker cloth stuff sack (.5 ounces (14 g)); torso sized, ⁄8-inch (9.5 mm) thick, sleeping pad (1.9 ounces (54 g));
rain shelter: commercial poncho-tarp made of spinnaker cloth 5-foot (1.5 m) 8-foot (2.4 m) (6.3 ounces (180 g)); silnylon bivy sack (6.2 ounces (180 g)); 6 titanium tent stakes (1.3 ounces (37 g)); 24 feet (7.3 m) uhmwp guyline (0.2 ounces (5.7 g))
total: 35.3 ounces (1.00 kg; 2.21 lb)

other gear

the remaining gear (such ten essentials , survival kit) carried ultralight backpacker follows similar philosophy of replacing traditional backpacking gear lighter options. replacements include:

making fire instead of carrying stove.
light weight alcohol stoves such beverage can stove or solid fuel stoves instead of heavier gas stoves
single cook pot ( billycan ) single spoon instead of traditional mess kit
no stove , associated paraphernalia @ all, relying on no-cook meals food
trail running or running shoes instead of hiking boots, , lightweight nylon socks instead of heavy wool socks.
the minimal amount of clothing safely possible.
plastic or silnylon bags instead of conventional (and heavier) packaging traditional backpacker might carry.
a 1 ounce (28 g) small pocket knife instead of heavier leatherman style multi-tool or swiss army knife.
chemical disinfectant water treatment (iodine tablets, chlorine dioxide) instead of heavier water filters.
plastic soft drink or soft plastic bottles instead of heavier nalgene or lexan bottles or hydration packs.
a 0.25-ounce (7.1 g) led light instead of heavy flashlight or headlamp.




^ start . ultralightbackpacker.com. retrieved 2009-09-23. 
^ colin fletcher; chip rawlins (2002). complete walker iv . new york: knopf. isbn 0-375-70323-3. 
^ cite error: named reference jardine invoked never defined (see page).
^ cite error: named reference jordan invoked never defined (see page).