Re: the newbie ?

Lots of good advice from everyone.  As has been said, the reasons people go
lightweight are varied.  I did it because I was getting older and wanted to
enjoy my hiking as much as possible, as long as possible.  For me, there's
a huge difference in hauling 25 lbs up a mountain as opposed to hauling 50
lbs.

I would add a couple of things to what has already been mentioned.

First, take a look at your first aid kit.  Mine is down to ibuprofin, duct
tape (off the roll), triple antibiotic ointment, a needle in a small sliver
of corrugated cardboard, and super glue.  It weighs about 2 oz, including
the little bag it's all in. I've carried this kit for about 2000 miles now
and it's served me well.  I carry an alcohol stove and use 70% or 90%
isopropyl alcohol, so I've always got the alcohol to use for first aid as
well as cooking.  And I carry a small spool of floss for flossing, which
can also be used for stitches if necessary.

When I first began lightening my gear, a friend who was already lightweight
told me to start by getting my pack, sleeping bag and shelter under 3 lbs
each.  My tarp is 1 lb, my pack is 1.5 lbs, and my sleeping bag is just
under 2 lbs.  The sleeping bag cost me a small fortune, but it will last me
forever, and the rest of my gear was much more reasonable, if not downright
free with a little bit of DIY.  There's a certain amount of satisfaction to
be had from building your own stuff and knowing it weighs a whole lot less
than anything you could buy.


On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 8:55 PM, Don Amundson <[email protected]> wrote:

> **
>
>
>  Just a couple of my thoughts
>
> The point for me is to carry what I need without feeling what I'm
> carrying. Minimalist isn't part of the equation--I don't carry all that
> much less gear than anyone else. It's just that what I do carry weights
> less. At my age I'm losing the physical ability to and am not interestedin carrying the
> 30-40-50lbs. of the past. If I knew what I know today and the gear was
> available I wouldn't have carried that much in the past either.  Some
> consider lightweight as a sacrifice in comfort and safety but that certainly
> doesn't fit with my experience.  I have shelter from the elements, sleep
> warm on a soft pad in a warm bag and carry my gear in a pack designed for
> the weight.  Just considering those basic elements the weight for a three
> season trip my weight is less than 5lbs. Fully loaded with food for a 3 day
> trip my pack weight is under  10 lbs. I have hot meals, 2 cups of coffee
> each morning, brush my teeth, have reading material for entertainment-all
> the things just about everyone carries.
> It takes time to understand your capabilities and that of your gear.  I do
> believe in one thing though-the more you backpack the less you need. One
> you start taking a serious look at your gear with a focus on lighter
> alternatives, dual use and  elimination of unused items
>  your pack weight will begin to drop.
>
> > To: [email protected]
> > From: bacncheesmurrder88-/[email protected]
> > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2012 06:48:43 +0000
>
> > Subject: [BackpackingLight] the newbie ?
> >
> > so im new to the whole minimalist, lightweight backpacking scene but am
> no stranger to carrying a heavy pack over long distances, (ARMY.) i guess
> my question is... is the point to see how light you can get, or to see how
> little you can bring?
> > without advise, i myself would bring just what i needed and not anything
> more, not worrying about the weight of it. but i may be missing the point
> of this style backpacking?
>
>
>   
>