Ultralight Backpacker

[smj6]

An interesting blog on have to reduce your pack weight.
http://www.backpackingnorth.com/ultralight-makeover-overview/

S

 

[xin loi]

Ultralite has it's place--where you MUST hump a ruck over tough terrain carrying food, water, and shelter . That is not the Camino! On the Camino, the smart people concerned about the weight in their pack, just toss their pack in a taxi. You do NOT get an extra Compostella for wearing a backpack. I walked from SJPDP with 12 kilos and did not think it was very heavy, especially given how easy it is to walk the Camino roads/trails.

Just went thru my pictures from doing the Camino last month and noticed that the majority of other hikers in my pictures are carrying very small day packs which means their packs/suitcases are on taxis. Also noticed I have a picture of the statue of a pilgrim in Asturga that is carrying a suitcase!

 

[newfydog]

I walked from SJPDP with 12 kilos .....

Just went thru my pictures from doing the Camino last month and noticed that the majority of other hikers in my pictures are carrying very small day packs which means their packs/suitcases are on taxis. !

Or perhaps the majority of them have no need to haul 12 kilos of stuff out there.

 

[xin loi]

If I go senile and there is a Next time I'm hauling more! Envious of the guys from OZ with immersion heaters to make coffee in morning instead of wasting 45 minutes getting coffee at some local café that does not even open until after 9 AM. Love the Koreans big ponchos and BIG down coats! And why do so many people bring their own favorite coffee cups?

 

[taozenqi]

An interesting blog on have to reduce your pack weight.
http://www.backpackingnorth.com/ultralight-makeover-overview/
S

Thanks for the link. Have not seen this one but familiar with a lot of the info from following the BP trips of Andrew Skurka and his methods. These people have hiked thousands of miles, frequently on just one of their trips, so learning from their experience is invaluable. Now, if we are only wise enough to practice what they preach.

 

[taozenqi]

Forgot to mention the book by A. Skurka. Much of the info was picked up through trial and error over the years, but found the breakdown of various clothing materials to be a good decision - making resource when packing.


The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka

 

[hotelmedicis]

Walked Camino Frances with an 8 kg pack. The pack itself weighted 1.5 kilos, which I can reduce by half since my new pack only weights 750g. You really don't need very much, though I recommend (strongly) not to skimp on your sleep system (sleeping bag and air mattress) as I spend a dozen or so nights on the floors of monasteries because there were no beds left. You really don't need very much at all. Waterproofs, a lightweight change of clothing, toiletries and a sleeping system.

That's it.

 

[obinjatoo]

That all depends on your perspective. I like to be prepared and have options. The website mentioned had some wisdom. The most important being it's an individual and personal thing. I started slow when it came to reducing weight. I've been working on it for years. I will spare you the details but it's comfortable now. I can and will go just about anywhere and am prepared to sleep out in bad weather or good. The basic weight never really changes but I add or subtract depending on geography, time of year and conditions. Sometimes I get it right sometimes not so much. I can live with the consequences.