The process of switching to Ultralight...

[azbackpackr]

I've been researching various ultralight websites. I have been a traditionalist for years, still carry an external frame pack. I want to start with the backpack. I notice on Gossamer Gear's site that several of their items are not available right now. Also, their packs do not come in a small. I will have to measure myself to see if their med. will fit me.

I'll be getting a small lump sum in January (student disbursement--yes, I'm going back to school) and probably will start with a backpack. You guys can yell at me a bunch about your preferences, I'll take a look. Keep in mind I'm 5'2" and I must have most of the weight on my hips--no non-waistbelt packs work for me--I use a waist belt on the lightest daypack, in fact!

ULA seems a good way to go since their stuff is very available in several sizes and colors. Z gear is not available right now because the guy is on a thru-hike.

I think, in transitioning, I should start with the backpack and maybe the cook kit as well. My cooking stuff takes up a lot of room in my pack as I just grab a plastic bowl from the cupboard, a plastic cup. I have an MSR pocket rocket which is lighter and smaller than older stoves, but not as small and light as a soda can stove. I have an old aluminum pan. A relic for Te-wa's museum, along with my backpack, Svea stove, etc.

Good sleeping bags are expensive, so that will have to wait. As for the tent, I have a solo Big Agnes eVent, which weighs a little over 3 lbs. So that is another thing I will be looking at--a solo shelter. I would keep the eVent for bad weather trips, at least for the time being.

I will never buy another Big Agnes item because their customer service stinks.

[Ckzona]

I just wanted to say that if you want a very compact wood burning stove get one of these.

http://www.campingsurvival.com/fopocost.html

They are very compact and fold up into the size of like your palm.

[azbackpackr]

Interesting item, but it weighs 1.2 pounds! But of course, if it burns wood or twigs, then you don't have to carry any fuel, so that's a plus! Anyway, very interesting idea.

[nonot]

look for instructions to make a pop can stove. two cans, some JB weld, box cutter, and hole punch. Costs almost nothing, weighs almost nothing, takes up almost no space. Works down to freezing.

[azbackpackr]

Yes, I was going to mention that as well.

Who says "pop" in AZ? I saw a thread on that very topic on another forum last week! Here's a map that shows the regional distribution, by county, of use of "soda," "pop," etc. throughout the US. Yes, really: http://www.popvssoda.com/countystats/total-county.html

[dysfunction]

I tend to prefer the cat stoves, easier to make, easy to use and just about as efficient. Without the popcan controversy

[azbackpackr]

What the heck is a cat stove? Ok, I'll google it.

[azbackpackr]

Ok: http://royrobinson.homestead.com/Cat_Stove.html

[big_load]

Who says "pop" in AZ?

If you say "pop" around here, people will look at you funny.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, on that one forum some people were saying they had heard someone say it and didn't know what it was. I know what it is, but I never say it, I say soda. The people who say "pop" think that "soda" is the yellow box you keep in the fridge to keep it from stinking.

Ok, I started this thread, so if I want to go off-topic, it's ok!

[JoelHazelton]

I'm curious what the "other" is...

[azbackpackr]

Hmmm: Soda pop. Co-cola. Carbonated beverage. Heck, you got me!

[BobP]

I'm curious what the "other" is...

If you mean the yellow box....I'm quessing Baking soda

[te_wa]

forget Pop, just say "caldera cone"

http://www.traildesigns.com/caldera-cone.html

[dysfunction]

forget Pop, just say "caldera cone"

http://www.traildesigns.com/caldera-cone.html

Foul tempter.. I keep meaning to make one.. the $30 for one to fit my pot... ohhhhhhh you're evil.

[big_load]

forget Pop, just say "caldera cone"

I love my caldera cone. I feared it would be just a gimmick, but it really is more fuel efficient. However, it was worth it just for its stability as a pot stand.

[fairweather8588]

I have one of these, but don't prefer to cook when I hike anymore, if youre ever in the phoenix area and want it you can have it (comes with a heat reflector and windscreen too)
it's a Mo-go-gear firefly, but they stopped making them a few years ago, works quite well

[azbackpackr]

Wow, that looks cool. Does it burn alcohol, or...?

I'll be stopping in Tempe on Sunday to pick up my son, and back through there again about a week later. Not sure what we'd have time for, though. Thanks for the offer, though!

[nonot]

denatured alcohol

[azbackpackr]

I just ordered another pair of the same exact kind of New Balance all leather light hikers I already have, but wore out over the past year. WW977. The main thing about them is that they actually make them in my size! http://www.endless.com/New-Balance-Wome ... Redirect=1

So that's a start: The foundation of your backpacking house is your pair of boots.

Pack and poles next. Anyone see any ONLINE sales on Golite, ULA or other ultralight pack, small women's size torso (I'm 5'2") let me know! I don't watch all the sales!

[dysfunction]

Will do! I wandered into SH one day and found some ultralight poles for > $60 in their clearance bin. Sales are great!