You've put together plans for an incredible adventure. You've picked a remote destination and put together an elite group of adventurers (or maybe just some people you like to hangout with). You've planned a menu for eating better than you do at home.
The only problem is you have to carry everything on your back; first aid gear, food and cooking utensils, clothing, tents, etc... Not only do you have to carry it, but how are you going to fit it all into your backpack?
The recommended weight for a beginner's backpack is 25% of their bodyweight and for some people that's even pushing it. So how can we lighten your load?
Let's look at the 6 fundamentals to cutting pack weight:
Fundamental #1 - Look at the biggest and heaviest things first. Replacing a 5 pound pack with a 1 pound pack saves you 4 pounds! Replacing a 7 pound tent with a 1 pound tarp saves you 6 pounds! By picking just two of the heaviest items of gear you've already shaved over 10 pounds and we've only just begun.
Fundamental #2 - Multi-use Items. The practice of using one piece of equipment for more than one purpose will allow you to leave gear behind. Your imagination is the only limit, you can use your stuff sack for a pillow, your T-shirt for a toothbrush, and duct tape makes a great bandage. Really there's just about no limit to how many ways you can use duct tape (but that's a whole other article).
Fundamental #3 - Smaller and lighter. Manufacturers are making new gear in smaller packages everday. They still have all the same features, just in a smaller and lighter size. Little saving do add up.
Fundamental #4 - Get rid of that big backpack. With a big backpack you have a tendancy to fill it, but with a smaller backpack, you just don't have the room. Hence, you'll usually be a little more picky about what you bring.
Fundamental #5 - Just don't bring it. If you don't pack it you cut the weight for that item by 100%.
Fundamental #6 - Asses gear. Keep lists every time you pack and asses what you used and didn't use at the end of every trip. Obviously, if you didn't use the first aid kit, you'll still need to bring it, but other items might not be needed. In time, you will see patterns and ways to cut weight, just be patient.
I remember this one guy who would pack extra of everyhting. It got to the point where I quit bringing half my stuff, because I knew I could borrow it from him.
He always had an extra spoon, etc It almost got to the point where I thought of just putting a pillow in my pack and then borrowing the rest of his stuff, but by then he had caught on and decide to start going lightweight (all good things must come to an end).
Hopefully these tips can help take the burden off your back.
The only problem is you have to carry everything on your back; first aid gear, food and cooking utensils, clothing, tents, etc... Not only do you have to carry it, but how are you going to fit it all into your backpack?
The recommended weight for a beginner's backpack is 25% of their bodyweight and for some people that's even pushing it. So how can we lighten your load?
Let's look at the 6 fundamentals to cutting pack weight:
Fundamental #1 - Look at the biggest and heaviest things first. Replacing a 5 pound pack with a 1 pound pack saves you 4 pounds! Replacing a 7 pound tent with a 1 pound tarp saves you 6 pounds! By picking just two of the heaviest items of gear you've already shaved over 10 pounds and we've only just begun.
Fundamental #2 - Multi-use Items. The practice of using one piece of equipment for more than one purpose will allow you to leave gear behind. Your imagination is the only limit, you can use your stuff sack for a pillow, your T-shirt for a toothbrush, and duct tape makes a great bandage. Really there's just about no limit to how many ways you can use duct tape (but that's a whole other article).
Fundamental #3 - Smaller and lighter. Manufacturers are making new gear in smaller packages everday. They still have all the same features, just in a smaller and lighter size. Little saving do add up.
Fundamental #4 - Get rid of that big backpack. With a big backpack you have a tendancy to fill it, but with a smaller backpack, you just don't have the room. Hence, you'll usually be a little more picky about what you bring.
Fundamental #5 - Just don't bring it. If you don't pack it you cut the weight for that item by 100%.
Fundamental #6 - Asses gear. Keep lists every time you pack and asses what you used and didn't use at the end of every trip. Obviously, if you didn't use the first aid kit, you'll still need to bring it, but other items might not be needed. In time, you will see patterns and ways to cut weight, just be patient.
I remember this one guy who would pack extra of everyhting. It got to the point where I quit bringing half my stuff, because I knew I could borrow it from him.
He always had an extra spoon, etc It almost got to the point where I thought of just putting a pillow in my pack and then borrowing the rest of his stuff, but by then he had caught on and decide to start going lightweight (all good things must come to an end).
Hopefully these tips can help take the burden off your back.
About the Author:
With modern technology here's a website that decided to use the Internet to photo-document all kinds of trails from camping spots, hiking trails and backpacking trails to mountain climbing routes and whitewater rivers. You really need to look over this website to see all the trails they have listed.
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