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  1. #1
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    Default Article: Ultra light 101

    AT Troll (2010)
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  2. #2

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    Hmm, surprised no one has commentated yet.

    Liked this:

    'Ultra light doesn’t need to be synonymous with ‘unprepared’ – In fact, in theory it should be the opposite. Ultra light or light-weight should be a label that does not connote risk-taking or money-spending, but rather (includes) the time-tested knowledge that comes from studying and experiencing nature.'

    A great many insightful points. Liked the article Maggie.

    What needs to be considered even with the insightful points and tips is they can be adjusted even thrown out and still follow an UL philosophy within various contexts. For example, there are times when function, remoteness, trail conditions, etc can entail opting for a synthetic sleeping bag/quilt over a down bag/quilt based on long term performance virtues, a camp sink can be UL WISE when hiking in a multi party UL group taking in respect and knowledge of local environmental conditions, arriving at the next resupply point or ending the hike may entail wanting to be hungry(going without food for 1/2 day, maybe longer, usually isn't going to be fatal), two sets of clothing isn't necessarily anti UL or heavier wt than a different single set, CCF pads are definitely not always lighter wt or out perform inflatable pads based on side to side comparisons and not necessarily so when they are each compared as components in a sleep system(look at R Values for example, a spec consideration for any kind of sleep pad is insulation as the author relates, an inflatable with a high R value could mean a lesser wt sleeping bag or quilt in the system where cumulatively the system wt is less and the comfort is greater!, inflatable pads have other specs associated with them like reduced volume that play into UL kits),...INTEGRATION of gear and a wide spectrum of non gear aspects is important to UL.

    When we start going down the road that the lightest option is the best or take context out of the lighter wt philosophy by narrowly considering the UL adventuring approach we are most familiar such as UL thru-hiking the AT/UL hiking on TC trails/UL hiking on well known routes and trails/UL hiking as a citizen of the country where one is hiking is where out of context judgements and issues arise. One should always know, especially as ULers, that we tend to evolve into adopting UL philosophies with a groundwork already laid in other approaches; as we evolve as ULers it's not a destination either but a journey a road possibly always under construction; and, we have to respect knowing not all of us have evolved to currently the same place.

  3. #3

    Default Air Mattress

    Yes, I am looking for something lighter than my 10 year old, almost 1 1/2 pound Big Agnes. But at almost 60, I'm not giving up my air mattress.On the whole, a good article.

  4. #4

    Default

    I appreciate the statement about "Any time you are insufficiently prepared for a common problem in hiking, you are being irresponsible, not ultra light."


    It's good to see that people are starting to realize that unprepared ultralight hikers are just a different version of any unprepared hiker.

    Dogwood's got some good points about being careful with getting stuck on the UL mindset so much that we can't adapt our gear to meet the specific needs of a given hike, but I think most are aware of (or becoming more aware of) this differentiation.

    I appreciate all your points and don't vastly disagree with anything though there are places where my opinion might diverge I'd say there's plenty of UL wisdom in here.

    Good work!

  5. #5

    Default

    [QUOTE=Kc Fiedler;2099957]I appreciate the statement about "Any time you are insufficiently prepared for a common problem in hiking, you are being irresponsible, not ultra light."


    A few thoughts on this topic that is either been beaten to death or has not been beaten enough.

    Some years back a young man died of hypothermia near the Rutland, VT part of the AT/LT. Reading between the lines of the news stories, it appears he was 1) hiking stupid light and 2) inexperienced. I feared at the time (the beginning of March and he was a local) that he was both. I think I am right.
    It was early in the season in an area not to be taken lightly. His parents answered a cell call to pick him up but he did not show. He was dead of hypothermia (as I remember) a few hundred yards from the trailhead. He was missing one shoe which was later found in a frozen mud puddle. He apparently had no camp shoes and was already somewhat incoherent from chill.
    I was convinced at the time that the guy was somewhat inexperienced or he would have been better prepared for the dubious weather that time of year.
    I was also convinced as I still am, that he went stupid light. If he had not, he could have cocooned up in his winter (or three season if his was merely a go-lighter), inside his winter or three season tent and drank hot beverages and ate hot food until the freezing drizzle cleared. He then could has strolled out to the roadside whistling a happy tune. I have done so.
    Compare: when I was in college, forty or more years ago, the local news was full of a search for a party of four or five college students that were supposedly lost in a "blizzard." Authorities had been called by a frantic mother. The blizzard was a four inch early snow fall in the Adirondack high peaks. Many thousands were spent hunting for them.
    They were found having brunch in a diner by a local news reporter headed north to cover the story. The hikers were mystified. They spent the scant storm playing cards and drinking rum in their tent. They had loved the trip. (It was a mixed gender trip so presumably that lent pleasure the interlude as well.)
    Now...what is the difference?
    The party was a group, there was mutual support, although I doubt this was critical.
    The party knew what to do and did it.
    The party wore boots that could stand up to a light snow fall and mud. They had decent tents and warm food and drink.
    I often think of that poor soul found near Rutland. I am convinced that it was one of his first trips and that he was seduced by the ultra-light siren. If you read the literature, it can be convincing. I believe that a lack of experience combined with gear like an ultra-light quilt killed him.
    My opinion only. Submitted for your approval.

  6. #6

    Default

    PS... I dropped a couple of words like "thousands of dollars spent."
    Also, at 64 years, I am going lighter and lighter. I just bought a lighter tent having already replaced my three season bag with a summer bag that has the option for a liner that sends it down to three season temperatures.
    I am trying to find a lighter stove option that still allows things like a hot beverage followed by a simmered meal (so alcohol is probably out).
    I am down to a pack weight of like 27 lbs. without food/H2O. I intend to get it down to 20 lbs. (although with a heavier first aid kit than many would carry. I am an EMT and frequently help less equipped and often bleeding folk on the trail.) Without serious expenditure and compromise of solitary safety, that will, I am convinced be about the limit for late spring through early autumn walking in New England and the Adirondacks.

  7. #7

    Default

    [QUOTE=Greenmountainguy;2107893]
    Quote Originally Posted by Kc Fiedler View Post
    I appreciate the statement about "Any time you are insufficiently prepared for a common problem in hiking, you are being irresponsible, not ultra light."A few thoughts on this topic that is either been beaten to death or has not been beaten enough.Some years back a young man died of hypothermia near the Rutland, VT part of the AT/LT. Reading between the lines of the news stories, it appears he was 1) hiking stupid light and 2) inexperienced. I feared at the time (the beginning of March and he was a local) that he was both. I think I am right. It was early in the season in an area not to be taken lightly. His parents answered a cell call to pick him up but he did not show. He was dead of hypothermia (as I remember) a few hundred yards from the trailhead. He was missing one shoe which was later found in a frozen mud puddle. He apparently had no camp shoes and was already somewhat incoherent from chill. I was convinced at the time that the guy was somewhat inexperienced or he would have been better prepared for the dubious weather that time of year.I was also convinced as I still am, that he went stupid light. If he had not, he could have cocooned up in his winter (or three season if his was merely a go-lighter), inside his winter or three season tent and drank hot beverages and ate hot food until the freezing drizzle cleared. He then could has strolled out to the roadside whistling a happy tune. I have done so. Compare: when I was in college, forty or more years ago, the local news was full of a search for a party of four or five college students that were supposedly lost in a "blizzard." Authorities had been called by a frantic mother. The blizzard was a four inch early snow fall in the Adirondack high peaks. Many thousands were spent hunting for them.They were found having brunch in a diner by a local news reporter headed north to cover the story. The hikers were mystified. They spent the scant storm playing cards and drinking rum in their tent. They had loved the trip. (It was a mixed gender trip so presumably that lent pleasure the interlude as well.)Now...what is the difference?The party was a group, there was mutual support, although I doubt this was critical.The party knew what to do and did it. The party wore boots that could stand up to a light snow fall and mud. They had decent tents and warm food and drink.I often think of that poor soul found near Rutland. I am convinced that it was one of his first trips and that he was seduced by the ultra-light siren. If you read the literature, it can be convincing. I believe that a lack of experience combined with gear like an ultra-light quilt killed him. My opinion only. Submitted for your approval.
    Stupid is a stupid does. There are innumerous accounts of people backpacking with conventional heavier wt kits that get into trouble some fatally. Stupid heavy? No one including ULers have a monopoly on stupidity.

  8. #8

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    "Stupid Heavy" - which is why Mountain Crossings ships out four tons of discarded gear every year as a result of their shakedowns.

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