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Lightweight Backpacking Techniques
By Steve Gillman, Thu Dec 8th
These lightweight tips and techniques are options orideas, not recommendations. I tend towards the extreme side ofultralight backpacking, and if you don't know yourself or yourskills, some of these techniques will get you into trouble. A good example of this is the "natural mattress" that allows youto leave your sleeping bag behind. With this technique, I'veslept with no pad, and only a five-ounce sleeping bag liner, ona night when it was near freezing. It took fifteen minutes tocollect enough bracken ferns to make a two-foot thick mattress,but it was comfortable and warm. You can use leaves, pine needles, dead grass or dry brackenferns. All you do is make a pile big enough to set your tent orbivy sack on. This could damage the enviroment in some areas, souse common sense, and collect only DEAD vegetation. Also,scatter your materials in the morning, so they won't smother theplants underneath. An important point here is that you have to know yourenviroment, so you know you'll be able to find proper mattressmaterials. Otherwise, you could have a very cold night or worse.Also, gloves make it easier and safer to collect the ferns orgrass. Try this first near home. Knowledge Reduces Weight Learn certain techniques, like the one above, andyou can carry a lighter sleeping bag, less clothing, and evenless food. Wilderness survival knowledge can help you reduceweight, but it also lets you travel the wilds more safely. Learn which berries are edible, and you can eat as you hike andbring less food. I've eaten half of my calorie needs in the formof berries on some days in the wilderness.
During a hike toGrinnel Glacier in Glacier National Park, my wife and I ate ninetypes of wild berries.Researching the climate, and timing can help you reduce weight.You can leave rainwear home, for example, if you're in theeastern Sierra Nevadas in September (bring a garbage bag foremergencies). I sometimes plan trips to coincide with the fullmoon. I enjoy getting up at four in the morning and hiking bymoonlight, and since I'm up and moving at the coldest time ofthe night, I can get by with a lighter bag. Money Reduces Weight Money will buy you lighter gear, and expensive gearis generally of very high quality. I didn't enjoy paying over$200 for my sleeping bag, but I've never yet been cold in it,and it weighs just 17 ounces. Concentrate on the the larger items. A sawed-off toothbrushcould save you 1/4 ounce, but a lighter shelter can save youpounds. Consider small things last. Buy dual-purpose items, likea poncho that can double as a shelter. Drink soup and tea fromyour pan, and you won't need a bowl or cup. Leaving Things Reduces Weight
This can be the tough part of lightweight backpacking. Ask ofevery item; Can I get by without it? Stoves aren't necessary ifyou bring ready-to-eat food. You don't need a change of shirt orpants on a three-day trip. If you're not sure you'll be happy asa minimalist, go back to the money solution. Start replacingyour things with the lightest alternatives you can buy. Thereare many ways to go lightweight backpacking
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