Ultralight Backpacking
Ultralight Backpacking
My first backpacking trip was an eye-opening experience. We were hiking to Virgin Falls, and I was determined to be prepared for absolutely anything that might happen. My pack weighed a hefty 25 pounds, which seemed reasonable at the time because I simply didn't know any better.
The pack itself weighed nearly 4 pounds. Inside, I had a chair, my Haven hammock, extra clothes, spare shoes, flip-flops, and just about anything else I thought I might need. If there was room in the pack, I filled it. To make matters worse, I was carrying all that weight while being more than 100 pounds overweight myself. (Since then, I've lost over 100 pounds!)
It was hot, humid, and the hike to Virgin Falls is challenging even without an overloaded pack. The weight just about broke me. When I say I barely made it back to the car, I mean it. I slept through the entire two-hour drive home, climbed straight into bed without even taking a shower, and slept for nearly 24 hours, only getting up briefly for water and bathroom breaks.
At that point, I figured there had to be a better way to backpack. If every trip felt like that, I wasn't sure I wanted to do it again.
I should mention that my husband's pack weighed over 30 pounds, and he was completely fine. Of course.
Eventually, I discovered the ultralight backpacking community on Reddit and learned that I had been "packing my fears", carrying gear for every possible scenario instead of focusing on what I actually needed. Over the years, I've gradually refined my gear and reduced my base weight to around 12 pounds, not including water. Winter trips add a little extra weight for a warmer quilt and additional clothing, but the difference is night and day.
Today, backpacking is far more enjoyable, and I spend a lot less time suffering under the weight of gear and a lot more time enjoying the trail.
Current Ultralight Backpacking Gear
All the gear used for my backpacking trips
- Tent: Durston x-Dome 1+
- Sleeping Pad: Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions, Mattress Inflator: Alpenblow Gear Micro Inflator, Mattress Cover: ZenBivy full size mattress sheet
- Pillow: Nemo Fillo Elite Wide Ultralight
- Sleeping Bag: Zpacks Summer Quilt/Winter Liner
- Backpack: Durston Kakwa 55
- Water Filter: Varies by location, but I always carry Aquatabs. My husband carries a Grayl, which I'll use for cooking, but I'm just super worried about drinking any chemically untreated water, hence the Aquatabs.
- Cook Setup: My husband carries his Jetboil, but I like my Esbit solid fuel stove. I get up super early and I like to make my coffee in silence.
- Trekking Poles: Durston Iceline Trekking Poles
- Other Items:
- Even in summer, I am never without my FarPointe Alpha pants, hoodie and socks. I wear them to sleep to keep me warm.
- Wag Bag and Pee Rag, wash cloth, soap
- Headlamp and power bank