On the Appalachian Path I lastly achieved the sub 10lb base weight of my goals with a tiny little Pa’lante pack. Each time somebody would point out how small my pack was, I felt a surge of pleasure. I used to be extra pleased with my ultralight base weight than I used to be on the actual fact I used to be climbing this impossibly tough path.
A few of you could be aware of my journey to turning into UL. It’s one thing that fairly actually occurred over night time, after a saber toothed rodent devoured my beautiful Atom Pack. (Atom Packs have since completed a unbelievable restore on it- enormous shout out to them for this!). Learn that story right here: https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/how-a-rodent-made-me-get-serious-about-my-base-weight/
I like gear. I’m a complete gear head. When I’m unhappy or lonely or bored I dive deep into the world of UL backpacking taking place infinite rabbit holes of researching something I can consider that could possibly be appropriate for backpacking. I usually check out new gear after which promote what doesn’t work for me on both Fb market/ Ebay or Vinted. Making an attempt new gear is one thing that brings me nice pleasure in life. While I’m content material and really proud of my present arrange, I’m undoubtedly not completed making an attempt new objects.
I mirror on my journey to UL backpacking
Once I began researching gear 5 years in the past earlier than my 2022 PCT hike; it was very overwhelming. Whenever you first dive deep into the world of UL gear there are such a lot of cottage manufacturers, outside influencers telling you what you need to get and what works greatest, however truthfully, you solely actually be taught by means of trial and error and getting on the market and utilizing it! My arrange for the PCT was the lightest and the perfect that I might afford on the time and slowly I’ve upgraded over the previous few years. Cottage gear isn’t low-cost and also you do pay for the standard usually. The opposite problem is all people’s physique is formed and constructed in a different way and what works for some folks doesn’t work for others. Some feminine hikers love utilizing a pee funnel on path while I’ve little interest in making an attempt that. Some hikers don’t want a camp pillow, while that’s much more important to me than my sleeping mat! I like utilizing a pillow for my dreamy siestas, unfold out throughout my soiled but beloved piece of Tyvek.
Solely the necessities and pack shake downs
On the AT I shunned each single luxurious merchandise. Something I envisioned I might reside with out, I did. I carried solely the necessities. I went stoveless and chilly soaked finally giving up on that each one collectively and simply consuming snacks and sandwiches and cereal with coconut milk powder blended with water. I’d shove my toes into soiled moist footwear each time I wanted to go away my tent to pee. I used to be honoured to be requested to assist different hikers scale back the dimensions and weight of their packs and behind me I left a path of hikers eliminating their camp footwear, rain pants and spare underwear. Camp footwear, I had determined, had been just for individuals who aren’t climbing onerous sufficient, rain pants in summer time had been pointless as legs are water proof and truthfully why do you want multiple pair of underwear? I had change into a shake down artist.
However this was on the Appalachian Path. City was all the time a few days away or if one thing went fallacious and also you needed to get to city in case of an emergency, there was all the time entry to a highway close by. The AT is so steep and rugged that each single factor in your pack feels so heavy weight. On the PCT nothing in my pack appeared to trouble me the identical means that issues did on the AT. My solely actual problem with my weight on the PCT was carrying 8 days of meals in a bear can up Bishop Go all the best way to Mammoth, cursing each single tuna packet and tortilla I had packed.
I didn’t really feel that I wanted scorching meals or camp footwear for my moist toes on the AT when there was all the time a scorching diner meal and a bathe or laundry accessible. After staggering up the method path questioning why I wanted meals in any respect on the AT I realised that the extra rugged the terrain, the extra important it was for me to be UL, particularly with my fibromyalgia and simply basic lack of motivation for strolling plenty of the time!
Modifications I’m making for the CDT
On the CDT I will probably be carrying a range. I will probably be consuming scorching meals as a result of dehydrated meals weigh lower than contemporary meals. I wrestle a lot with my diet (assist!) I’ll have longer meals carries and I need to attempt to get it proper. I’ve purchased the smallest, lightest pot I can discover. I’m additionally going to hold camp footwear! I’ve discovered the perfect and lightest camp footwear in the marketplace which I can nonetheless hike in if I need to on the highway walks or on the town! I’m awarding myself these items of luxurious as a result of I’ve already achieved UL standing so I do know I can go with out. I don’t suppose it is going to be secure for me to have a 30l pack when I’ve lengthy meals carries on the CDT the place I might want to pack additional meals and carry many litres of water for my security. I cant think about becoming 7 days of meals into my Pa’lante!
I’m nonetheless undecided what pack I will probably be utilizing for the Continental Divide Path. Gear is all the time a studying curve. Who is aware of, possibly these camp footwear gained’t make it previous Silver Metropolis not to mention to Canada!
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