/out/ - Outdoors » Thread #73755

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Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 15:10:08 No.73755 View View Reply Original Report

Let's have an UL (ultralight for anyone who doesn't know) backpacking thread, you can post gear, but I don't want this to turn into a total UL gear thread. Maybe post gear that you have modified in such a way that helps you lighten your base weight?

Post tips and tricks that you use to lighten your load and why you choose to go UL.

Also, for anyone interested or curious about UL feel free to ask questions and I or other anons will answer.

I'll start I suppose:

I go UL because a lighter pack means that I can go farther and faster in a day, with no more than 25lbs on my back on any given trip that means that I can do 20miles in a day rather comfortably.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 15:35:12 No.73779 Report

Quoted By: >>73788 >>73796

OP here again:

I think the one of the first things to learn is to not bring too much clothing.

Ideally, you want to be wearing most of the clothing you're actually going to bring. At the most, I bring an extra pair socks and one extra synthetic t-shirt. If I am expecting temperatures to dip below 50F then I bring a packable down sweater for around camp or stops along the trail.

A typical Spring/Fall clothing list for me:

Base:
-synthetic briefs
-synthetic t-shirt
Mid:
-midweight fleece
-convertible synthetic pants
Outer:
-wind shirt or rain shell, but not both
-wind pants or rain pants, but not both
Footwear:
-cheap sneakers, no point in spending big $$$ on things you end up having to replace in 1-2years
-synthetic socks
Misc:
-beanie
-gloves

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 15:44:29 No.73788 Report

Quoted By: >>73800 >>74730

>>73755
>>73779
Isn't UL just limiting yourself to ideal conditions so you need less gear?

I like to hike outside of summer or in the mountains.
If I bring just one set of clothing for all conditions I'll encounter, a shelter that allows me to sleep at 25°F, tools for navigation, light, emergency equipment, food, cooking utensils, water filter, there's no way to stay UL.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 15:52:28 No.73796 Report

Quoted By: >>73800

>>73779
>-cheap sneakers, no point in spending big $$$ on things you end up having to replace in 1-2years

Depends on the boots, I have been wearing my leather hiking boots almost every day for over a year and have done some very demanding stuff with them but they do not seem to be in need of replacement any time soon.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 15:55:58 No.73800 Report

Quoted By: >>73803

>>73788

No, part of the UL experience is to be uncomfortable some times when you're out in the backcountry. I often times get soaked to the bone or a little chilly, but I just keep going.

UL in winter is tougher, but do able. Especially nowadays when you can get an 850+ down fill sleeping bag rated for 0F that weighs less than 3lbs.

>>73796

I wasn't talking about boots, when you have a really light pack ankle stability isn't as big an issue so you can get away with wearing sneakers.

You're right though, boots should last quite some time if they are taken care of.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:00:25 No.73803 Report

Quoted By: >>73809

>>73800
>part of the UL experience is to be uncomfortable some times when you're out in the backcountry

And having no equipment reserves for emergencies.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:06:24 No.73809 Report

Quoted By: >>73820

>>73803

What does one really need in an emergency though? Of course I have a first aid kit, multi-tool, and what not.

The best thing to have in an emergency situation is a calm, focused mind and knowledge of how best to handle the situation.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:10:51 No.73820 Report

Quoted By: >>73833 >>74650

>>73809
More food and water than you'd usually need, for one thing. Clothes that keep you from freezing if you're immobile and forced to bivouac.

Anonymous

View Same Google ImgOps iqdb SauceNAO IMG437.jpg, 728KiB, 1536x2048

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:12:30 No.73825 Report

Quoted By: >>73833

i was thrifting yesterday, and went into this shithole here in atlanta that NO ONE is ever at.

THIS is what i found there:

>Mariposa Ultralight Backpack
http://gossamergear.com/packs/backpacks/mariposa-ultralight-backpack-all.html

>Eastern Mountain Sports Stasher Jacket
http://www.amazon.com/Eastern-Mountain-Sports-Stasher-Jacket/dp/B0092P2V2E

all for $15

i know you said you didn't want this thread to be about gear, but Gossamer Gear is an excellent and affordable option for UL packs and shelter

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:19:38 No.73833 Report

Quoted By: >>73843 >>74617

>>73825

>dat find

Wow, I am jealous anon. What a lucky find, who in their right mind would give up such a good pack?

That is a good tip though, thrifting is a great way to find clothing/gear.

>>73820

Valid points, but I feel I am experienced enough to either:

A. not put myself in a situation like that

or

B. devise some way to get though the situation

Again though, extra things are only going to get you so far. If you don't have experience and proper knowledge then what is the point of all that extra stuff?

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:39:01 No.73843 Report

Quoted By: >>73864

>>73833
I have 9 years of trekking experience in different climates. This is precisely why I bring extra stuff.

I'd say knowing yourself, your gear and your/its limits will keep you out of emergencies. But I've been in some very bad situations, and it's always surprising how fast and unexpected a nice walk can turn into "oh shit what do I do now?" even if you didn't make any mistakes.

Anonymous

Anonymous Fri 05 Apr 2013 16:52:11 No.73864 Report

Quoted By:

>>73843

I agree, UL for me is really just being able to go farther and faster, but only on trails that are some what predictable in terms of what you can expect or are less grueling.

Say I was going to hike the Presidential range in the White Mtns, I would never skimp and bring some extra stuff because on top of the mtns things can utterly unpredictable.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 00:05:27 No.74405 Report

Quoted By:

>test

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 00:28:38 No.74426 Report

Quoted By:

I've hiked all over Banff and area (OPs pic related) with 'heavy' gear without issue (up and over multiple passes in a day). I'm afraid of light/fragile stuff failing when I'm days away from anyone: if my pack tore or tent tore in bad weather I'd be just plain fucked, as in would likely die.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 03:47:36 No.74607 Report

Quoted By: >>74641

potential oogle here

i want to hit the road (and possibly some trains) down south of WV and i want to go ultralight but idk how to do this without looking like some flashy jackass with too much money.

Any tips on clothes and other stuff i can take with me that'll fit in a bag a bit larger than a daypack?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 04:03:40 No.74615 Report

Quoted By: >>74616

>>73755
i never understood the hikers that like to, for lack of a better term to my knowlege, speed hike

i want to take my sweet ass time and not rush like i do day to day

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 04:06:16 No.74616 Report

Quoted By:

>>74615

idk man, i like to go slow too but a lot of that is because i pack way too much junk (it is my eternal shame) and i just kind of plod along.

If i went UL i could probably do a lot more and my day would be more enjoyable and i'd probably go faster too.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 04:07:21 No.74617 Report

Quoted By:

>>73833
>who in their right mind would give up such a good pack?
drug addicts, so not in a right mind
i knew a kid who virtually gave away his newer R1 for his oxy habbit

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 04:43:56 No.74641 Report

Quoted By: >>74665

>>74607
You'll stand out like a sore thumb like that. Besides, you want durabilty over anything else. Metal, pavement, and concrete are a lot less forgiving than sticks, stones, and dirt.

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 04:51:10 No.74650 Report

Quoted By:

>>73820
You only need water if you're in a desert or other place without water sources. If you're in one of those places, then obviously you'd be carrying extra.

Extra food isn't necessary at all. You won't starve.

Keeping you from freezing in a bivouac? Isn't that what your sleeping bag and shelter are for?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 05:01:06 No.74665 Report

Quoted By:

>>74641

Any recommendations?

Anonymous

Anonymous Sat 06 Apr 2013 06:08:10 No.74730 Report

Quoted By:

>>73788
25 degrees is demanding? People that complain about UL being poorly suited for winter conditions occasionally have a point, but 25 degrees? You could handle that easily with walmart equipment and still keep it well under 20 pounds base weight.

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