What's your Ultralight?

[mttgilbert]

So, the generally accepted definition of "ultralight" is a backpacking rig that weighs less than 10 pounds, "lightweight" is usually considered 10-20 pounds. I'm not that interested in arbitrary definitions though; I'd like to know what the lightest rig you carry is. I know that loads change from trip to trip with circumstances dictating what equipment needs to be taken (or left behind). For clarities sake please post your baseweight (standard equipment minus food, water, and fuel) only (unless, of course, discussion dictates otherwise).

[mttgilbert]

My typical baseweight is about 13 pounds (plus or minus circumstantial equipment). I can use my 13 pound rig for most of the year, coldest months excluded. My pack is an Osprey Atmos 50l, REI minimalist bivy, Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 (plus liner for cold weather), and a tarp for rain. Other than that I have a water filter, a knife and flint, and a first aid/survival kit. Those items plus a few other trivialities and I'm up to 13 pounds. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to break the sub-10 weight without sacrificing too many of my 'comfort' items.

[te_wa]

youre almost there Matt..
seems to me that youre happy with what you have, there is no reason to change. Unless you develop the strange sickness that contributes to the overall reduction of clear thinking with impaired reasoning. This disease turns the average, sane and balanced person into a 'gram weenie'
I think RouX said it best, simplicity is elegance. Using one gear item for multiple uses (bandanna, for instance*) is the golden rule. From there, its just plain showing off.
The lightest pack weight I have used is <4lb 5oz. That'll just barely keep a guy fed and warm- did 19 miles in about 5 hours. There really is no point in pushing it that way every trip, but its fun to experiment!
My average pack comes in about 7-8 pounds. (gear only)

something for people to understand is that ultralight gear isnt about gimmicks or catch phrases... "light and fast" ring a bell? I dont know what the manufacturer is trying to pull on us but there is no connection between light pack and "fast" in the real world. Backpacking is not an adventure race and ultralighting is about comfort and effeciency, making the HIKE your enjoyment. Not about going 100mph and doing 40mile days. Plus, companies throw around the word "ultralight" like they invented the word. For anyone interested in some excellent ultralight gear, check out these links

http://www.ula-equipment.com
http://www.westernmountaineering.com
http://www.jacksrbetter.com
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
http://www.gossamergear.com
http://www.antigravitygear.com
http://www.zpacks.com
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com
http://www.tarptent.com
http://www.zenstoves.com
http://www.backpackinglight.com

*bandanna uses: pot gripper-tourniquet-water filter-coffee filter-dishrag-headband-bear bag rock sack-tent stake-bull fighting flag-pumpkin snapper (depending on who you are)

[fairweather8588]

pumpkin snapper (depending on who you are)

I hope that wasn't directed at me...

I've got my weight down to around 6-7 lbs, and that includes a thermarest pillow and perhaps an Avo Uvezian cigar as well. Most recent gear switches for me would be getting rid of my Marmot Atom for a Jacks R Better Shenandoah quilt (15 oz), getting a Ridgerest short (9 oz) from yet another REI gift card, and a ULA Amp pack. I've sold all of my old gear on eBay to provide funds for my future enlightenment. Others include a .2 oz alcohol stove instead of my pocket rocket since I only boil for a Mountain House at night, and switching my filter for the 3 oz of the Aqua Mira. The list goes on and on.... Although I'm finally getting to be able to say I'm pushing my ultralight gear to its minimum (comfort for me)

[Desertroux]

Here is my run down. I am on the heavy side of ultralight, and I am plenty comfortable.

GoLite Jam Pack 22 oz.
Thermarest ProLite4 24 oz. (Heavy, but I love it)
TT Rainbow 32 oz.
Marmot Helium 29oz.(winter) / Down quilt from a department store 15oz. (its a throw blanket for couches, works great for az summers and it was dirt cheap!)
Childrens arm floatie cut so it lays lengthwise 2 oz.? (pillow)
SnowPeak Titanium Trek 700 Mug 4.7 oz.
Titanium Spork .6 oz.
Pocket Rocket 3 oz.
Giga-Power Fuel Small 7oz. full
Petzel Tikka 2.75oz. with batteries
Gerber Mini Paraframe Serrated Knife 1.4 oz.
Katadyn Micropur .9 oz. (Doesn't really even count for weight)

Without food and clothing and water I come in at 129.35 oz. or about 8 #'s. Weight is with the Helium.

ETA - I forgot about my 4 liter MSR Dromolite with bite valve attachment. When that is not in use I use two 1 liter AquaFina botles.

[kylemorgan]

My Ultralight is neither ultra, nor light.

[mttgilbert]

That's kind of the point though, you're comfortable with your 30+ pounds. There's no reason to try to go lighter. I'm a sissy. I don't want to carry any more than I have to...

You're ultralight is near 30 pounds. I've carried loads from 20 or so pounds (total) to 55 or 60 pounds for a two day trip. There's definitely advantages to both.

What items do you consider essential and what items do you carry just because you can (or want to)?

[te_wa]

I consider a shelter essential. A tarp is fine for most AZ camping. You have to practice proper site selection. That comes with experience, like finding water and such. For most the year, Im happy with a sil nylon solo tarp, and a nice, fat sleeping pad, and a good warm down bag.
Other than that, a way to start fires, with a backup- one should always carry 3 forms of firestarter (as taught in 98.6 degrees: the art of keeping your pumpkin alive by Cody Lundin)
also a nice foolproof layering system for your worn clothing... you can use a 35 degree sleeping bag in 22 degree weather if you brought a puffy jacket and hat youre going to wear anyway, wear it to bed and save weight. Little tips and tricks like this work fantastically well.
ALWAYS tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back. I dont care if its your stuck up neighbor who never returned your garden rake, tell them.
What I bring as essentials are basic, multi-use items that I can adapt for my needs. What I bring as luxuries are coffee, a real pillow, a book sometimes, a few snacks (read: chocolate), some booze of sorts, cash, a fixed blade knife, personal items like a photo of my son and some things Ive collected both on the trails and off. Without these luxuries I can hike with a 4.3 pound base weight. But why? Id rather have coffee. and Jack!

[kylemorgan]

That's kind of the point though, you're comfortable with your 30+ pounds. There's no reason to try to go lighter. I'm a sissy. I don't want to carry any more than I have to...

You're ultralight is near 30 pounds. I've carried loads from 20 or so pounds (total) to 55 or 60 pounds for a two day trip. There's definitely advantages to both.

What items do you consider essential and what items do you carry just because you can (or want to)?

My weight is also financial. If I could afford a lighter pack and sleeping bag, I would. But then again, I'm a big fan of my big comfy sleeping bag.
I did recently upgrade my tent to save a couple pounds.

For me, I guess I draw the line a little more towards comfort than weight. I can carry weight. But once you're out there, you got what you got. I do seem to go lighter and lighter each time I go out....

[rally_toad]

how do you guys get so light?? Is this including food and water? Probably not including water I'm thinking as this is the heaviest thing I carry. I havent even got food or water packed for this weekends trip and I'm probably at 10 pounds.
te-wa is using a bandanna as a filter safe??

[joebartels]

original post...

(standard equipment minus food, water, and fuel)

tewa incyst on safety

[fairweather8588]

Mike uses a bandana as a prefilter, meaning he gets the dirt etc. out before he uses the aqua mira. Check out his SUL gear list on his profile...

[te_wa]

nope. not to filter cysts, what I meant is using a bandanna to cover your bottle to filter out "floaties" and small dirt/bugs/whatever. then add a tablet or liquid form of chlorine dioxide (aquamira, micropur, klearwater). This is one way to reduce pack weight from a 1 pound filter to a 3oz water treatment. Sorry I didnt clear that up, thanks for asking.

btw... there are numerous water sources that I willingly drink from without worry. Finding good water isnt hard, as gravel and sand/soil are natural filters. Another important things to factor is if the water is aerobic, that it has a moderate flow, and there are no obvious rotting and decaying plant or animal matter. YMMV.

MSR Sweetwater filter: 11 ounces
1 Liter Nalgene: 5+ ounces
thats ONE pound

re-packaged Aquamira: 1 ounce (good for 20 liters of water)
bandanna: 1 ounce
Aquafina 1 Liter: 1.6 ounces

there's more and more people switching to aquamira because it works.

[joebartels]

???

wouldn't you need a container for the later too?

[joebartels]

never mind I guess it is the container?

why not just take a 0.2 ounce AAA lithium battery a grain of salt 0.002 ounces and miox it after the bandanna trick
then you're covered on giardia, cryptosporidium and viruses better then aquavirus

0.2 battery + 0.002 salt + 0.06 wire + 0.6(empty water bottle* minus heavy lid) = 0.862 ounce

*sturdy Crystal Geyser bottle, I believe Aquafina makes a reduced material bottle that weighs less

[te_wa]

Miox is a pain in the pumpkin or so I hear.
I dont like the negative reviews given for it on other sites but I have not tried one myself...
With aquamira, there is nothing to break.

If you really want to go ultralight, dont drink water.

[wallyfrack]

If you really want to go ultralight, dont drink water.

Was that the plan on Pine Mountain? :p

[rally_toad]

Geez te-wa I hope there are no tourons here that take your advice and think it is a great idea!!

[mttgilbert]

The Miox is a pain to use, I have one and I've only taken it out once... I probably won't use it again as my primary purifier, I will keep it in my vehicle kit.

I've been playing with the steri-pen adventurer, and so far I like it pretty well. It only weighs a little over three ounces and purifies a liter of water in about 40 seconds. The only reason I've shunned chemicals is becuase of the long wait time for crypto (although I hear some of them are working faster than initially recommended). I'll carry an extra two ounces so I can drink my water right away.

[te_wa]

Matt the steripen is a great idea.. I have read some (so far inconclusive) testing reviews of the UV led lights used in the $3 flashlights. It seems the Steripen is just a UV led, so if you were to find an led with the UV output that matches the Steripen, what would keep someone for making their own UV water treatment for just pennies on the dollar?
Id like to look further into the idea that a Steripen can be made at home. It is a nice product. Youre right about the 4 hr crypto wait time, but my real concern is finding a nice pristine water source and then adding a chemical taste to it. Kinda takes away from the wilderness experience.
*EDIT* I thought Id mention the plans to make a gravity filter, I made one like this with stuff I had lying about. Its almost 8 ounces, so not really ultralight but good for hands free water filtration (read: no pumping) at a base camp.

you'll need:
a Katadyn Hiker filter cartridge
a medium sized dry bag (2 gal.)_
a length of 1/4 food grade hose
an old Nalgene 32oz. bottle

You start by cutting off the Nalgene bottle at the 'rim' just below the threads, then use a 1/2" or so hole saw to drill a hole into the center of the Nalgene lid.

Center the cut threads into a dry bag bottom, then screw on the lid from the outside, after that use a razor knife to cut away the fabric that will be pinched in between the 2 parts.

A Hiker filter by PUR or Katadyn will press firmly into the nalgene bottle's neck (the threaded part that you cut) and simply attach a 3-4ft. length of hose and *presto* you have a drip filter that will do one liter per minute, no pumping. Simply hang the unit from a tree branch or something solid for hands free water filtration.

To start or stop the flow, you may want to buy a 1/4 shut off valve from Lowe's. I use a clip to hold the hose high so it cant leak.