Learn how to lighten your backpack, walk further faster, and enjoy your trip more on February, We teach you the *process* of reducing the total effective weight you'll carry, and you'll save you money too.

1. Lighten Your Pack
~ Steps toward ultra-lightweight backpacking ~
Julie LePage, Philip Werner, Kevin Sweere http://www.slideshare.net/sectionhiker
Other than the two books, no endorsements implied. Specific products named/shown reflect multiple online ratings and/or metrics.

2. Link to video"The Bare Necessities" written by Terry Gilkyson, from the animated 1967 Disney film The Jungle Book, sung by Phil Harris as Baloo and Bruce Reitherman as Mowgli.

3. Why Go Lighter?
• Because that ——->
looks ridiculous :)
• Less wear, less pain, less
energy used
• Less stuff = more agile
• Cover more miles, see new
places, a simpler life
• Gain comfort in your
efficiency & skills with less
• Be Prepared. For Life.
Heavy pack! Not fun.

4. What is Baseweight?
The weight of ALMOST everything in your pack….
Copyright: Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping

5. You Now? Future you!
Copyright: Mike Clelland, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping

6. Goal
4 lbs. worn + 9 lbs. base + 16 lbs. food/fuel
= 10 fun days in Rocky Mountains

7. Obstacles
• Lack of Knowledge
• Fear of being unprepared
• Compromising Comfort / Safety
• Higher Co$t ??

8. General Principles
• Simple, more efficient
• Pack to be safe, comfortable, secure
• Bring multipurpose, compact, useful, and
dependable items
• Big cuts first, little cuts later
• This is can be fun, creative & inexpensive!

9. 1. Weigh everything
2. Carry less stuff
3. Share with others
4. Swap gear for skills
5. Lighten your feet
6. Rethink, Replace, Repackage
7. Multi-purpose
8. Only last …… replace the heaviest with better,
lighter, sometimes-expensive alternatives. Start
with the Big Three.
How?
The most important slide of all

10. 1. Weigh & Document
Ozeri Pro Digital Kitchen Food Scale,
0-12 lbs., $17 shipped
Borrow or Buy a Kitchen or Postal / Shipping Scale
with Ounces and Grams
Digital Postal Shipping Postage Bench Scales
0-75 lbs., $19 shipped

11. 1. Weigh & Document
Tablet / laptop: www.weighmygear.com

12. 2. Carry Less Stuff
• What do you have that’s not on the packing list? Why?
• What didn’t you use last time?
• Can I carry less of one thing?
A 30-60 minutes exercise
• Weigh everything
• Write weight on the item and on paper
• Fill your garbage bag w/ excess items
• Mark items to fix with tape
• Write down to-do’s on notepad.
• Instructors question everything, give 1:1 reviews

13. Example: Non-Essentials + Oz. saved
Wallet 6
Watch 2
Food Pckging 4
Pillow 6
Extra Pot 8
Camp Shoes 10
Stuff Sacks 20
Book 10
Trowel 3
Repair Kit 4
Water Filter 15
Space Blanket 1
3rd Socks 4
3rd Underwear 2
Spare Tent Stake 1
Toilet Paper 2
Spare Batteries 2
Extra Day of Food 16
Altimeter 2
Camp Chair 20
Big Multi-tool 9
Candle Lantern 4
“Extra” Sweater 17
Save 10.5 lbs.

14. 3. Share
• Group vs. Personal gear
• 3 Scouts in 3-person tent; only carry 1 tent
• Share stove, kitchen set, and main water treatment
• Share one, main first aid kit and repair kit
• Different lights and pocket knives per person

15. 4. Swap Gear for Skills
• Understanding eliminates fear
• Read!
• Take classes, earn merit badges, etc.
• Go take a hike. Use gear in your house.
• The greater your skills, the more innovative and
resourceful you’ll be on the trail. You’ll need to
carry far less gear.
Best $10 you’ll ever spend

16. Practice at Home
• Wear backpacking clothes on weekend
• Pack school lunches – backpacker style
• Cook backpack meals with kitchen stove / tea kettle
• Camp out in backyard
• Use your packed toiletries, pack towel
• Walk the dog in your boots & pack
• Compare umbrella vs rain suit vs poncho while the
walking dog in heavy rain
• Find your personal perfect trail mix

17. Reduce Weight Priorities
Footware
Big Three
• Shelter
• Sleep System
• Backpack
Other Stuff
• Water / Meals
• Clothing
• Cookware & water
treatment
• First Aid Kit, Toiletries
Next biggest savings
Aim for 3-9 lbs. combined
Do last.
These take time, research,
cost more, and save less
weight
Multiply weight reduced by 5

18. 5. Lighten Your Feet
Footwear
Benefits:
• For running, extreme ultralight
Tradeoffs:
• Less stable, durable, protection,
more cushioning, very $$$
Benefits:
• For off-trail & rocky, rugged,
stable, durable, for heavier loads
Tradeoffs:
• More $$, weight, energy. More
blisters, wetter. Maintenance.
Benefits:
• Overall Best for trails, lighter than
boots, stronger than sneakers,
for lighter-weight loads, dry faster
Tradeoffs:
• Less $$, less ankle support
Hiking Boot
Hiking Shoe
Trail Running Shoe

19. 5. Lighten Your Feet
OutdoorGearLab’s Best Hiking Boot vs. Best Hiking Shoe
 save 12.5 lbs. equiv. pack weight and $85**
$170, 3.62 lbs $85, 1.11 lbs
Remember to buy half-size too big shoesWear short, thin, lightweight, runner socks too

20. 6. Rethink, Replace
6-man cabin tent
Bivy Bag
2-man tent
All may weigh ~2 lbs. per person
Some are more fun on rainy, “indoor” days
Lesson: Adjust to your team & conditions

21. 6. Rethink, Repackage
2 empty bottles = 12 oz 2 empty bottles = 2.5 oz
empty
Synch to fit your water treatment system

22. 6. Replace, Repackage
0.3 oz
14.6 oz
3.0 oz
Health Fact: In the backcountry, you are more likely to get sick from unwashed hands than untreated water.

23. 6. Repackage
Make things tiny!
• Bring only what you need for
that one trip
• Sunblock, lotions, water
treatment, etc.
• Label everything
Or Share

24. 7. Multipurpose
Bandana/Buff
• Towel, water filter, neck protection, pot
cleaner, tent drier, hat, hairband, hanky,
sand storm protection for face
Pot (Stove)
• Can act as bowl, cup, washing vessel,
blueberry collector.
Hiking Poles
• Tarps/tent poles; raise foodbag into tree
Backpack
• Goes under legs when sleeping on 3/4 pad
Sleeping Pad
• Pack’s frame + backpad; small foam
models are good sit pads
Socks
• Mittens, for sleeping
Ziplocks / Stuffsacks
• Repackage everything, first aid kit, wet
weather foot protection/warmth, water
scooper, in-sleeping bag foot warmer

25. 8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)
Shelter
Benefits:
• Great for tree-filled forest, good air
flow, super comfy, inner bug net
Tradeoffs:
• Can be colder, still need pad, not
always light, $$$-$$$$
Benefits:
• super light, compact, good air
flow
Tradeoffs:
• Bugs*, can get wet from rain
splash-back, pole placemt, $$$
Benefits:
• Easy set up, good air flow, bug
net, full coverage, $$
Tradeoffs:
• Not as light/compact as tarp
Benefits:
• Small footprint, no fuss w/
poles/tarps, some have bug net
Tradeoffs:
• Can be TOO cozy, heavier than
tarp/not much lighter than LW
tent
Tarp
Lightweight Tent
Hammock
Bivy Sack

26. 8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)
REI’s Top Rated Tent vs.
a Backpacking Light highly-rated tent
 saves 2 lbs.
$219, 2.9 lbs / person $289, 0.9 lbs / person

27. Sleep System
Wear all your clothes
Ziploc bags = pillow
Perfect spot are in
warm, protected area
Not overkill

28. 8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)
Sleep System
3/4 Sleeping Pad (vs full pad)
Down Sleeping Quilt
(vs mummy bag)
Benefits:
• Lighter, more compact, less $$
Tradeoffs:
• Might be less comfy / warm
• Must synch w/ quilt
Benefits:
• Lighter, more compact, very adjustable
Tradeoffs:
• Just different, needs good sleeping pad

29. 8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)
REI’s popular bag & pad vs.
OutdoorGearLab well-rated bag & pad
 saves 4.7 lbs. but expensive
Popular bag and self-inflating pad
$180, 6.5 lbs.
Quilt and air mattress
$350, 1.8 lbs

30. 8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)
Backpack
• Weigh 1 - 2 lbs.
• Super light materials
• Same price as reg packs
Benefits:
• Light!
• Simple designs, no fuss
Tradeoffs:
• Less back ventilation
• Weight & capacity limits
• Treat with more care
• Some only good for summer

31. 8. Lighter Gear (Big 3)
Typical ScoutStuff.org pack vs.
3 decades popular ultralight pack
 saves 3.8 lbs.
Common Boy Scout pack
$150, 4.9 lbs
Popular DIY pack
$120, 1.1 lbs

32. Some cheap ideas…
Food
• Walmart’s many dried, specialty foods
• One container for everything (e.g. pre-
loaded Ziploc meals)
Underwear / Socks
• Wash 1 set at night, dry during day
Headlamp
• Use only fresh lithium batteries; leave
extra batteries at home
Winter
• Bubble-wrap sleeping pad + used down
comforter over-blanket + silver
‘emergency blanket’ vapor liner + hat
Borrow / Rent gear
• local outfitters and university Rec
Centers
Buy Used
Keep a loaded pack
(to prevent last-minute pile everything
in panic)

33. DIY!
Cooking System
• zenstoves.com
• Safer: tomato paste can + fuel tabs +
Caldera Cone stove system
Clothes & Gear
• http://jasonklass.webs.com
• https://diygearsupply.com
• http://thru-hiker.com/projects/
• http://www.backpacking.net/homemade/
• http://www.backpackinglight.com/forums
Food
• http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-
Projects-for-Backpackers/ DIY Pot Cozy
DIY Alcohol Stove
Great but banned in Boy Scouts
DIY Stuff Sack
Hiker Bars

34. Resources
Hiker Blogs
• SectionHiker.com
• BackpackingNorth.com
• Hikelighter.com
What gear is best?
• OutdoorGearLab.com
• Backpacker Magazine
annual gear edition, Editors Choice
Best $8 you’ll ever spend