I’m happy to hear that you will be hiking the Superior Trail. I had planned on hiking it this fall but some major health issues forced me to delay it until next year. I was about a week behind you on the CT last year I look forward to seeing your SHT videos! Hike on!
I’ve had a lot of fun ‘dialing in’, as they say. And the pack is getting lighter. But that also means i can add and subtract based on the trip and weather which is also a bunch of fun. Thanks for the work you do on your channel. Always some wisdom and that rare commodity, common sense.
My base weight today is 10.5 - 11 lbs. I could shave this down quickly to 8.5 - 9 lbs if I didn’t carry almost two pounds of cooking gear, left my InReach at home, and didn’t carry spare socks and underwear. But I hate eating gruel for dinner. I cook gourmet trail food. My wife likes getting messages that I made it to camp every day as well as knowing where I’m at, and being able to reach me if an emergency arises at home. Anyone who has hiked in dirty socks knows it’s an easy way get blisters and other foot issues. Our west the air is dry enough to where I can wash socks and underwear at night and they will dry by the morning, but in the humid Midwest I find it nice to have a clean backup at the ready. For me, it isn’t about having the lightest kit anymore, as much as having the lightest kit while still maintaining an optimal level of comfort and civility while on trail.
Good advice if they listen. No where to get advice except from old sourdoughs back then. Started with an external frame pack ( kelty ) and took everything because the pack would hold it. That was in the late 50's when I was a teenager and that was how it was done back then , you were the Mule. Over the years that heavy pack gradually evolved into a pack with a base weight under 10 pounds , which is really nice. Especially in 1993 when I joined the membership of being a heart patient and had to go lighter or stay home. in 60 plus years of camping I found myself adding , deleting , changing , modifying and even experimenting with new things. Not saying it is good or bad only that I did it my way and am still walking my own path. After all I'm the only one I have to make happy.
Thanks, it is helpful to hear someone who is experienced say it's right to think for ourselves and we don't have to go along with people telling us to do things their way.
I love it. I hear about people not carrying extra drawers and socks. I’m not a caveman, I’m wearing fresh drawers and socks each day, I’m bringing my chair, I’m bringing some extra luxury. I’m out there to enjoy myself not to prove so can survive misery. Thanks for the video.
A lot of the RUclips UL pack loadout vids don’t list camera gear because the author sees it as needed for their channel content but not what someone would typically take. Also, with the popularity of fanny packs, a pound is often missing out of the pack, but carried elsewhere. That’s why the better weight metric, IMO, is “Skin Out Weight,” where one lists total weight outside of their body. This would include clothes worn, all gear, food, water, and other consumables.
@samknox1 I consider myself a gram weenie at 30 pounds with 10 days of food. Like my creature comforts. I don't feel burdened. BUT, as my old body begins to whither, I might change my tune, or fine tune my load. Thanks for commenting. Keep Smilin'
Depends. Topography, weather, duration, water access, food access, age, personal weight/condition. Take a 5 gallon bucket with a screw on lid and add water until it feels too heavy for you, then you will know your own limit. Half full is about 25-30 lbs is right for most people.
Agreed. I’m 60, headed on the John Muir Trail in a few weeks and though I made adjustments to go lighter, including a $400 carbon fiber bear canister as bear canisters are required, but there is only so much you can do,
The lightest I’ve ever carried for an overnight trip (actually three days) was just under five pounds base weight. I just wanted to see if I could get my weight down that low, and what it would be like. I could only go that low in the summertime where lows were in the mid 50s and above. The experience is spartan for sure, and isn’t bad when the weather cooperates but as soon as real storms moved in then I was glad I had skills to compensate for the lack of gear. For example, I used a flat tarp for a shelter so campsite selection and tarp pitching skills for inclement weather were essential. Overall, the benefit to going five pounds was nothing more than bragging rights. Nothing about my walking experienced differs between a five and ten pound base weight, so I prefer to carry a bit more rather than a minimum kit.
It's good advice. Diminishing returns below 12lbs base weight I would say. But also a lot of "comfort" comes from not carrying needless stuff. It all depends on the hike for me. A long thru hike I carry as little as possible.
@@wio2189 I agree. Good points. I usually carry about the same stuff, but I'm usually doing big miles. Just like to grab my pack and go, confident I have everything I need. Keep Smilin'
My training pack (summer) with a full load of (4L) water, a couple meals, and a few snacks weighs just under 35 lbs., not too bad for an old fart of 63. I believe in a couple creature comforts in my bag and I'm willing to pack a little extra weight to have them.
You also need to carry more than what you think you will need to allow for emergencies. Things rarely go exactly to plan, so maybe you need some extra food, fuel, water, an extra pair of gloves or socks. With this built-in redundancy, you'll probably add an extra 5 pounds or so but you'll be more resilient when things go wrong. Probably it comes down to your attitude towards risk.
@jmash41 No. Your often above tree line. I only hang in grizzly country. Otherwise, I sleep with my food. Have raccoons outside my tent right now on the Superior Trail. They are more aggressive than bears. Keep Smilin'
"easy to give up comfort while sitting in your chair watching youtube videos" - best reality check EVER!
I’m happy to hear that you will be hiking the Superior Trail. I had planned on hiking it this fall but some major health issues forced me to delay it until next year. I was about a week behind you on the CT last year I look forward to seeing your SHT videos! Hike on!
I’ve had a lot of fun ‘dialing in’, as they say. And the pack is getting lighter. But that also means i can add and subtract based on the trip and weather which is also a bunch of fun. Thanks for the work you do on your channel. Always some wisdom and that rare commodity, common sense.
How light do I wanna go? = How uncomfortable am I willing to be??
Light is uncomfortable when you rest, heavy is uncomfortable when you walk.
@@hooptroopers 100% agree!
My base weight today is 10.5 - 11 lbs.
I could shave this down quickly to 8.5 - 9 lbs if I didn’t carry almost two pounds of cooking gear, left my InReach at home, and didn’t carry spare socks and underwear.
But I hate eating gruel for dinner. I cook gourmet trail food. My wife likes getting messages that I made it to camp every day as well as knowing where I’m at, and being able to reach me if an emergency arises at home. Anyone who has hiked in dirty socks knows it’s an easy way get blisters and other foot issues. Our west the air is dry enough to where I can wash socks and underwear at night and they will dry by the morning, but in the humid Midwest I find it nice to have a clean backup at the ready.
For me, it isn’t about having the lightest kit anymore, as much as having the lightest kit while still maintaining an optimal level of comfort and civility while on trail.
Good advice if they listen. No where to get advice except from old sourdoughs back then. Started with an external frame pack ( kelty ) and took everything because the pack would hold it. That was in the late 50's when I was a teenager and that was how it was done back then , you were the Mule.
Over the years that heavy pack gradually evolved into a pack with a base weight under 10 pounds , which is really nice. Especially in 1993 when I joined the membership of being a heart patient and had to go lighter or stay home. in 60 plus years of camping I found myself adding , deleting , changing , modifying and even experimenting with new things. Not saying it is good or bad only that I did it my way and am still walking my own path. After all I'm the only one I have to make happy.
Thanks, it is helpful to hear someone who is experienced say it's right to think for ourselves and we don't have to go along with people telling us to do things their way.
@@willsmith7475 Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain
I love it. I hear about people not carrying extra drawers and socks. I’m not a caveman, I’m wearing fresh drawers and socks each day, I’m bringing my chair, I’m bringing some extra luxury. I’m out there to enjoy myself not to prove so can survive misery. Thanks for the video.
It's all about making the experience, Your experience. Keep Smilin'
Great advice. My pack for Bushcraft camping is at 40 lbs now... gotta lighten it for sure.
@BushcraftExplorer ya, the older I get the lighter my load. Keep Smilin'
A lot of the RUclips UL pack loadout vids don’t list camera gear because the author sees it as needed for their channel content but not what someone would typically take.
Also, with the popularity of fanny packs, a pound is often missing out of the pack, but carried elsewhere.
That’s why the better weight metric, IMO, is “Skin Out Weight,” where one lists total weight outside of their body. This would include clothes worn, all gear, food, water, and other consumables.
So true!
I can't agree more with you ! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Cheers from Canada.
@@TheCanadianXplorer Thanks. Keep Smilin'
Two rules for pack weight: 1) Other things equal, lighter is better, 2) other things are never equal.
@samknox1 I consider myself a gram weenie at 30 pounds with 10 days of food. Like my creature comforts. I don't feel burdened. BUT, as my old body begins to whither, I might change my tune, or fine tune my load. Thanks for commenting. Keep Smilin'
Depends. Topography, weather, duration, water access, food access, age, personal weight/condition. Take a 5 gallon bucket with a screw on lid and add water until it feels too heavy for you, then you will know your own limit. Half full is about 25-30 lbs is right for most people.
@@edwardenglish6919 Agreed. Keep Smilin'
That’s brilliant advice thanks. 👍
Agreed. I’m 60, headed on the John Muir Trail in a few weeks and though I made adjustments to go lighter, including a $400 carbon fiber bear canister as bear canisters are required, but there is only so much you can do,
The lightest I’ve ever carried for an overnight trip (actually three days) was just under five pounds base weight. I just wanted to see if I could get my weight down that low, and what it would be like.
I could only go that low in the summertime where lows were in the mid 50s and above.
The experience is spartan for sure, and isn’t bad when the weather cooperates but as soon as real storms moved in then I was glad I had skills to compensate for the lack of gear. For example, I used a flat tarp for a shelter so campsite selection and tarp pitching skills for inclement weather were essential.
Overall, the benefit to going five pounds was nothing more than bragging rights. Nothing about my walking experienced differs between a five and ten pound base weight, so I prefer to carry a bit more rather than a minimum kit.
Great advice i carry 12-14kg for an over night hike uo the mountain, including food water, drone and 3 beers😁
@@WildBorkysadventures Ultra lite beer?
@@packtoter ultra light camden pale ale🤣👍
It's good advice. Diminishing returns below 12lbs base weight I would say. But also a lot of "comfort" comes from not carrying needless stuff. It all depends on the hike for me. A long thru hike I carry as little as possible.
@@wio2189 I agree. Good points. I usually carry about the same stuff, but I'm usually doing big miles. Just like to grab my pack and go, confident I have everything I need. Keep Smilin'
great video! never see, bear spray or bear bag/container, car keys, so much is always left out of those videos. I try to be 25 lbs fully loaded.
That a good weight for me too. Everyone has to find their happy spot.
Oh so well said!!
My training pack (summer) with a full load of (4L) water, a couple meals, and a few snacks weighs just under 35 lbs., not too bad for an old fart of 63. I believe in a couple creature comforts in my bag and I'm willing to pack a little extra weight to have them.
@TheWinkingPigBarBQ Agreed. Hike your own hike. Keep Smilin'
You also need to carry more than what you think you will need to allow for emergencies. Things rarely go exactly to plan, so maybe you need some extra food, fuel, water, an extra pair of gloves or socks. With this built-in redundancy, you'll probably add an extra 5 pounds or so but you'll be more resilient when things go wrong. Probably it comes down to your attitude towards risk.
Agreed.
The Kool-Aid has no effect on me !
Hi Richard! I'm headed to the Colorado Trail this weekend. Did you use a bear hang or a bear canister for your food? Thank you!
@jmash41 No. Your often above tree line. I only hang in grizzly country. Otherwise, I sleep with my food. Have raccoons outside my tent right now on the Superior Trail. They are more aggressive than bears. Keep Smilin'
Remember when backpacking unless your a mule all home comforts cannot come with you. Bringing that Lazyboy recliner is not an option. 😂
@@dougdekuiper3194 I can't hike without my Lazyboy. Keep Smilin'
I asked someone that very point once....they blocked me.
The power of thinking for yourself. Keep Smilin'