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My backpacking style has led me to a lightweight as opposed to ultralight
philosophy. My base pack weight is a little less than 20 lbs. which still makes
for a comfortable load. To understand why I'm a lightweight, let me first describe an
ultralightweight. While there are no hard and fast rules of what constitutes an
ultralight backpacker, the following characteristics seem to be common among
ultralight's proponents. An ultralight base pack weight is typically 12 lbs or
less. This allows the backpacker to use lightweight trail running shoes and
cover long distances every day. Because the weight is so low and also a
necessity to achieve a low weight, small packs with no suspension are used. Pack
stiffness comes from proper packing of gear to achieve a rigid frame-sheet-like
effect. Tarps are the shelter of choice shelter as they are very light. Camping
sites are carefully selected to ensure the tarp will work well and to provide a
comfortable night's sleep with a minimal sleeping pad. Compromises are made in
terms of comfort and contingencies in order to achieve a low pack weight. This
style has recently been publicized by Ray Jardine and is so called "Ray
Way". The development of ultralight principles by Jardine and others was,
in large part, driven from through hiking. Hikers traversing the Appalachian,
Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails, so called through hikers, must
cover great distances (15+ miles, 8 - 10 hours) each day, day after day. To accomplish this, many have
gone ultralight. Carrying such a light load allows them to cover much more
ground and not get ground down in the process.
Hiking with a 12 lb base pack load, wearing running shoes. Wow, that sounds
great, right? Admittedly, I have not tried it, but there are some aspects of
ultralight that give me pause.
 | I don't through hike and never want to cover 15+ miles a day. I prefer to
take it easy. I get up when the sun warms the tent and cook breakfast,
basically a leisurely morning. When I do get to the next campsite, I like to
have time to hang out, hopefully catching the afternoon rays, reading,
napping... I can be happy hiking no more than 5 miles. I usually do between
5 and 10 miles, but prefer to keep it on the low side. It still gives me a
different view than I had the day before. Besides, in Colorado, hiking over
high passes is often involved. I don't want killer days. This means I don't
need to go super lightweight cutting out what most people think of as
comforts. Instead I can retain some luxuries like a Thermarest. |
| Fierce and cold weather can happen in the Colorado mountains year round.
Snow in August is not uncommon. High winds are frequent. One of the greatest
pleasures to me is to camp at or above tree line. This means more exposure
to wind. A simple tarp is not enough protection for me, especially above tree line
where no trees exist to tie it to. I safer to have either my Betamid or a
tent. These are heavier than simple tarps. It also means I need to bring a
little bit more clothing, especially if I want to hang out at camp rather
than simply going to bed. |
| I have a long back (6'3" with a 34" inseam. All my height is in
my back). What this means is that any load applied to it causes more torque
than on a shorter back. Therefore, I am far more comfortable with a pack
with some suspension that helps distribute the load. I find even a 20 lb
daypack with no suspension to be uncomfortable, even if it is stuffed
somewhat rigidly in the ultralight style. Therefore, I use a pack with
suspension. My weeklong pack is 4000ci and my shorter trip pack is 3000ci.
Both have suspensions that make them heavier than similarly sized ultralight
packs that have no suspension. |
| Ultralight pack weights leave out some of what makes the experience fun or
memorable. For example, I like to take a journal, and a camera to record my
memories. Sometimes I take my small point and shoot, but I find that
pictures from my heavier SLR to be superior enough that I frequently bring
it instead. I also like to take a book to read at night or if weather keeps
us in the tent. Note that I do not include these in my base pack weight so
that I can compare apples to apples. However I allow myself these items
because they enhance the experience for me. Some ultralight packers eschew
these luxuries in order to keep pack weight at a minimum. After all, why
would you need them when so little time is left over after eight to ten
hours on the trail. |
| I haven't tried it, but I'm skeptical of using alcohol stoves, the
ultralight stove of choice, at altitudes above 10,000'. I don't want to wait
forever for water to boil. Another ultralight stove choice is a
featherweight canister stove. These have a lot of heat output. However
I prefer to use my heavier Coleman Xtreme. It has great performance and uses
fuel that works well at low temps, which I do encounter in the Summer, and
high altitude. Most canister fuels have fitful performance in these
conditions. The Coleman fuel also comes in recyclable aluminum containers
that go in with aluminum cans. Other canisters are not recyclable. Canister
stoves are also not very stable. as the stove fits on top of the canister.
While I could be careful to not let such a stove tip, I prefer the stable
three legged base of the Xtreme, especially if I'm cooking in the vestibule. |
With these considerations in mind, I have chosen to stay lightweight rather
than go ultralight. This is not to say ultralight principles are wrong. In fact,
to get my base pack weight under 20 lbs., I have applied many ultralight
principles. I would say the major differences are that I use a tent, heavier
pack, heavier sleeping pad, and a heavier stove. I am also willing to take more
luxuries along on top of my base pack. The following ultralight principles still
apply for me:
| Use the lightest equipment you can afford |
| Leave things you won't use or whose use can be provided by some other item |
| Don't bring excessive food. |
| Use lightweight foods.
 | High caloric density |
| Dehydrated - Save the fancy stuff for when you get home. |
| Easily prepared so extra eating vessels are not required. |
|
| Don't bring excessive clothing.
| So what if they get a little stinky. |
| Rain protection for Summer doesn't require your heavy winter Goretex
with lots of zippers and pockets. |
|
| Wear the lightest footwear you can be safe in. |
| Use as small a pack as you can. |
So, by all means, I enjoy having a lightweight pack. I just don't think I
would enjoy the experience as much going ultralight.
See my links page for links to ultralight and
lightweight backpacking sites. These will give you more insight into what it
takes to go ultralight and whether it is something that is right for you.
Andy's lightweight
backpacking site provides another person's insight on light vs. ultralight. |
