Lightweight Backpacking Gearlist – Wystiria’s Pack

1.  How long have you been backpacking and what’s the longest trip you’ve taken?

I have been backpacking since I was in the 5th grade. My Fearless mother, also my girl scout leader, decided to teach 4th, 5th, & 6th graders how to primitive camp and backpack. My very first over night was on the CT Appalachian Trail, and we camped at Sages Ravine – that same troop went on to complete NY, CT, and MA sections of the AT – I was HOOKED! My longest trip was my attempted Thru in 1998, I got injured early on and had a weight limit of 25lbs which made it tough in that year. My sister came out on her college break to hike with me and carry some weight. I ran out of time to finish ME, but I still feel like I accomplished a lot. Now I have a husband who backpacks with me and we are out most months of the year.

2. When did you realize that you needed to reduce the amount of weight that you carried in your backpack? Please explain the circumstances which led you to this conclusion…did you have a bad trip experience, or just figure it out?

Honestly when my sister fell over and couldn’t get back up!! We called her turtle for years (we were in Junior high and she was under 4 feet tall) To further that belief, a knee injury drove home that I had to be efficient with what I carried and that my youth wasn’t going to last forever!

3. What is the total weight of your big three: backpack, sleeping bag/pad, and shelter? Please include manufacturer, make and model names, unless homemade.

Backpack: Osprey Aura 55 women’s small = 52 oz,

Winter Sleeping bag North Face Superlight women’s regular = 53.5,

Summer I do not carry a bag my trail partner does and we use it as a quilt.

ThermaRest Women’s Prolite = 20oz,

MSR Hubba Hubba (Total pack weight w/foot print 68oz) my half = 34oz

Winter TOTAL = 159.5oz /9.9lbs

SUMMER TOTAL =106oz/6.62lbs

4. Do you own a scale for weighing your gear? If so, what kind? How often do you use it?

Yes it is a Salter kitchen scale weighs up to 5lbs, I weigh things about once a season. And we weigh our packs for each trip (not on the kitchen scale!)

5. Where are you in the process of going lightweight? What have some of the notable weight reductions in your gear list been? Is there an example of a choice you made between two different alternative gear choices you can explain, or are pondering.

I/We straddle the line between ultralighters and weight conscious backpackers. Since I have been backpacking for so long I have accumulated a LOT of gear – and I will only upgrade if there is a significant savings in weight or upgrade in comfort. I have tried things many ways and am forever looking to lighten my load, however there are a few things I won’t go without. Specifically cooking gear!!! I LOVE TO COOK – it gives me great pleasure in camp to make pizza and bread and delicious meals. I will do this even after an 18 mile day – so while I want the lightest weight gear, I just don’t enjoy dropping it entirely! Notable reductions in recent history are our packs (went from multi-day packs to, day packs) our day packs are perfectly good for a week trip where we can’t resupply. Another is going to one down sleeping bag used as a quilt for two of us, 3 seasons a year. This was a HUGE step for us and saved us pounds! Currently we are pondering upgrading our sleeping pads. I am not 100% happy with mine and would like more comfort since I am a side sleeper. I am looking at the Therm-a-rest Neoair since it is so light weight and has comfort. What has me hesitating is the price.

As an aside, I rarely hike without my husband, and since we split the weight gear for us can sometimes be more about comfort then for solo hikers.

6. How much has cost constrained the rate in which you reduce your gear weight? Can you cite an example?

I try to only buy one or two new “toys” a year – cost is a big consideration to us since we don’t “Need” anything and the reason we are upgrading or buying is typically to reduce weight! We have to compare the weight savings of a new piece of equipment vs the cost of buying since we already have functional gear. A good example of this is we could definitely get a lighter weight shelter – BUT we enjoy our Hubba Hubba, and the weight savings isn’t enough of a Return On Investment to us.

7.  What was the largest amount of pack weight you dropped by replacing or eliminating a piece of gear?

In recent history 4lbs, by going to a day pack from a multi-day expedition pack or what I would call my “Cadillac Pack”. Over the course of my life….POUNDS! I started with a frame pack, sterno stove, and all heavy clothing!!!! I laugh now when I see those pictures of me as a kid and early adult!

8. What’s your view on the trade-offs between the following types of backpacking gear, for your specific climate conditions and needs? Are you at the stage where you want to try different options or not interested and why?

Down vs. Synthetic sleeping bags?

DOWN! Love it! Yes you need to be a careful not to get it wet, but the weight savings are more than worth it! Plus I sleep cold and I can carry more warmth for less weight vs synthetic!

Backpacks with an external frame, internal frame, or no frame?

Having tried all three I prefer an internal frame, I choose not to get light enough for a no frame pack mostly because of my love of cooking. The externals always frustrate me on movement, however I have to say I do the best job of adjusting weight positioning with an external! In this category I am always open to try new things here I mostly look for comfort.

Double walled shelters, single walled shelters, and tarps and bivies?

Currently I am a double wall shelter fan, I think some of this is lack of experience with the newer single walls. Bivies for me are an emergency option since I am rarely alone and enjoy the comfort of sitting up in my shelter. Tarps also fit in that category. Essentially I will carry additional weight in shelters for comfort. I will say I would love to try out some of the tarp tents I have seen!

Full size sleeping pads vs. torso sized?

I almost always go full sized and solely because I am a cold side sleeper. This is purely a comfort thing! In the heat of the summer I switch to ¾ length.

Boots vs trail runners?

I do both! And it depends on the terrain and the weather conditions. The winter I wear my boots (light weight hikers if I can) OR my mountaineering boots if I need crampons. The light weight hikers also come out for multi-day trips in the whites and where ever there is call for mud. My trail runners come out for ALL day hikes, and multi-day trips with out a lot of rock and lack of mud.

9. What would you say are the biggest benefits of carrying less gear?

My husband would say I have less moments of pure crabbiness on the trail LOL more seriously this allows me to notice AND photograph all the little details that I love about being on the trail. I don’t feel the stress that I am not going to make the miles (I am way faster with less weight) and so I stop, check out plants, and animals and I am forever trying to identify bird calls….I am not so great at that yet. With less weight it can be more about the journey, and not about the pain. I can fully disconnect from the technology laden world I live in because there is no pain to insistently remind me. I also don’t feel guilty over carrying a camera or some extra weight to cook scones or pizza, and trust me if you camp with me you appreciate these!

10. What advice would you give to someone else who wanted to start reducing the weight of their backpacking gear?

First Step WEIGH EVERYTHING! It’s like tracking your finances, you don’t realize what you are spending till it’s all on paper! Same for weight in your pack! You don’t really pay attention to the little things and they add up!

Another big piece is people are afraid they won’t be prepared or will be uncomfortable. My advice is to always try out your lighter gear or revised gear list some place close to home, don’t be afraid to sleep in your back yard on a rainy night with a new tent and sleeping pad – because when you are in your backyard you don’t have to be afraid – you can always go inside!!! AND when you realize what works for you in your back yard, you lose the fear to try it on the trail. ****I make no promises your neighbors won’t think you’re nuts!

11. is there anything else you want to get off your chest?

We all need to remember that light weight is relative and what works for one doesn’t apply to all!!!! THAT and seriously, I wish the ultralighters who CHOOSE not to carry a stove and end up in the same site as me would quit trying to yogi my food! *smile* 9 times out of 10 I am going to offer some – but if you come out of the gate swinging I am going to point out that it’s your choice not cook….

Backpacking Gear List

Note: Christy submitted this post in order to enter the Sectionhiker.com Gollte Ultralite Down Quilt Raffle. See link for full details.

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• gear list
• backpacking gear list women
• Foot print