Re: Updating backpacking kit - (ultra) lightweight recommendations?

Andrew Priest said:

IMO the Americans are way ahead of the rest of the world when it comes
to lightweight and ultralight backpacking.

True, but they also have more stable, sunny and dry climates to walk in.
The UK is renowned for its changeable weather.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=118749

Paul Saunders said:

Andrew Priest said:

IMO the Americans are way ahead of the rest of the world when it comes
to lightweight and ultralight backpacking.

True, but they also have more stable, sunny and dry climates to walk in.
The UK is renowned for its changeable weather.

Don't disagree. Important thus to keep in mind one's own walking
environment. For example in my case, I walk in winter rather than
summer (at least locally) due to high summer temperatures.

Andrew

On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 18:47:35 +0800, Andrew Priest
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

A very good place to discuss lightweight or ultralightweight
backpacking is the Yahoo! group, BackpackingLight. High traffic but a
very useful group. You can find it at
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackingLight/>.

<snip>

Many thanks - I've subscribed 🙂

Although it's predominantly American, is there significant discussion
of kit available in the UK?

Best wishes,
--
Wee Piglet

On 17/7/04 10:23 am, in article [email hidden],

Wee Piglet said:

Although it's predominantly American, is there significant discussion
of kit available in the UK?

Not really; there are regular discussion about lightweight backpacking here
from time to time.

I do find the US site a little over the top. But as a general principle it
does pay to get weight down. Over the last couple of years I've been
deliberately renewing my kit. It has cost a bit bit I have lighter and
better quality stuff. And when you put the pack on your back you can be
amazed. But beware. All of the weight you save through using lighter
equipment tends to be put back again through food, water, etc!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

Andy Howell said:

But as a general
principle it does pay to get weight down. Over the last couple of
years I've been deliberately renewing my kit.

This is what I'm doing too.

Quoted message said:

It has cost a bit bit
I have lighter and better quality stuff.

Yeah, the cost may hurt when you buy it but you'll appreciate it every
time you go out. In contrast, if you buy cheap stuff you'll pay for it
every time you carry it.

Quoted message said:

And when you put the pack
on your back you can be amazed.

This is what I'm looking forward too. Haven't got all the ultralight
gear yet but I'm planning to.

Anyone see the Mark Webber challenge the other night? Part of it
involved a three day hike through the wilderness. They all seemed to be
carrying daysacks. Must have had extremely light gear.

Quoted message said:

But beware. All of the weight you
save through using lighter equipment tends to be put back again
through food, water, etc!

So don't carry water! If you can be disciplined enough to stick to
dehydrated food only it really shouldn't weigh much at all. Just aim to
camp near streams and only carry enough water to keep you going until
the next stream you pass.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=118749

On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 15:13:55 GMT, Andy Howell
<andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Over the last couple of years I've been
deliberately renewing my kit. It has cost a bit bit I have lighter and
better quality stuff. And when you put the pack on your back you can be
amazed. But beware. All of the weight you save through using lighter
equipment tends to be put back again through food, water, etc!

Can you suggest a backpack or two for me to look at? I've seen
reference here (via Google) to Go Lite packs, and in fact there's been
a brief reference to one on the US lightweight email list today, but
I'm not sure whether they're sturdy enough for a long walk over here,
or whether there might be something equivalent but more readily
accessible in the UK.

Thanks 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

In article <BD21DB02.34AEC%andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk>, Andy
Howell <andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk.?.invalid> writes

Quoted message said:

While we're on the subject of dehydrated food, which brand to people prefer?
I'm not sure whether Wayfarer classes as dehydrated - but you know what I
mean.

If I'm thinking of the right stuff, I think they're overpriced and not
"that" good.
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk

On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 19:08:11 GMT, Andy Howell
<andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

While we're on the subject of dehydrated food, which brand to people prefer?
I'm not sure whether Wayfarer classes as dehydrated - but you know what I
mean.

Expedition Foods's "In the Bag" is the nicest freeze dried food I've
ever eaten. It's truly delicious!

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 00:07:16 +0100, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 19 Jul 2004 19:08:11 GMT, Andy Howell
<andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

While we're on the subject of dehydrated food, which brand to people prefer?
I'm not sure whether Wayfarer classes as dehydrated - but you know what I
mean.

Expedition Foods's "In the Bag" is the nicest freeze dried food I've
ever eaten. It's truly delicious!

Apologies - forgot the link!

http://www.expeditionfoods.com/shop.html

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Andy Howell said:

While we're on the subject of dehydrated food, which brand to people
prefer?

Vesta meals get my vote. Real freeze-dried meat rather than that soya
[censored].

Cous-cous is very good too.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=118749

On 19/7/04 10:34 pm, in article [email hidden],

Peewiglet said:

Can you suggest a backpack or two for me to look at? I've seen
reference here (via Google) to Go Lite packs, and in fact there's been
a brief reference to one on the US lightweight email list today, but
I'm not sure whether they're sturdy enough for a long walk over here,
or whether there might be something equivalent but more readily
accessible in the UK.

This is one area where I would issue some caution. I bought a very
lightweight pack last summer but it was something of a nightmare when
wearing it in the Pyrenees.

There is no substitute for a good back system; don't worry about the weight
of the pack, simply concentrate on reducing the weight of the contents!

I know have an Osprey Crescent 75 with which I am very impressed. This
design makes it easy to get the load as close to your back as possible. It
has good compression straps and is big enough for most wild camping. It has
an easily adjustable frame and is very comfortable. Osprey have a lighter
system but I just find that these are not so good as weight increases.

The bigger Macpac's are also very good and - like the Osprey - would seem to
be bomb proof. I have a Macpac Pursuit (50 litres) which is great as an all
purpose pack, but I wouldn't want to be using this to carry some real weight
over a prolonged time.

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

On 20/7/04 1:05 am, in article [email hidden], "Paul

Saunders said:

Cous-cous is very good too.

Tends to be what I use!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

On 19/7/04 10:35 pm, in article [email hidden], "W.

D. Grey said:

If I'm thinking of the right stuff, I think they're overpriced and not
"that" good.

Thanks. I was flirting with taking some - I think I will have to take some
dehydrated stuff with me this year. I suppose I ought to try some before I
go ...

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

Quoted message said:

http://www.expeditionfoods.com/shop.html

Good link thanks, well for me anyway, they answer emails and they have a
gluten free list!!!!! hooray

Mark

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 07:37:15 GMT, Andy Howell
<andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

This is one area where I would issue some caution. I bought a very
lightweight pack last summer but it was something of a nightmare when
wearing it in the Pyrenees.

There is no substitute for a good back system; don't worry about the weight
of the pack, simply concentrate on reducing the weight of the contents!

[...]

Many thanks - your advice is much appreciated 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 07:37:15 GMT, Andy Howell
<andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

I have a Macpac Pursuit (50 litres) which is great as an all
purpose pack, but I wouldn't want to be using this to carry some real weight
over a prolonged time.

I'm hopeless at names but I've just been to check: that's what I've
got. It's lovely, but it's not light. I'll check out the Osprey that
you mentioned. Thanks again 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Andy Howell said:

There is no substitute for a good back system; don't worry about the
weight of the pack, simply concentrate on reducing the weight of the
contents!

I would have agreed with that some years ago but since I've been making
more effort to travel light I'm finding that the less you carry the less
sturdy the rucksack needs to be. I'm not recommending a flimsy pack,
all I'm saying is that one of these fancy expensive back systems isn't
really necessary unless you are carrying a very heavy weight. My sack
doesn't have one and I have no problems with it. So long as there's
plenty of padding in the straps and hip belt that should be okay.

I've often noticed that whilst people will spend hundreds of pounds to
save a few hundred grams on the weight of a sleeping bag or tent many
don't seem to really care about the weight of the ruckack, yet if you
aim to travel light you'll find that most of your weight is the rucksack
itself. A lot of these top of the range rucksacks with fancy back
systems weigh around 3kg. If you're carrying a 1.5kg tent and a 700
gram sleeping bag, it seems ridicoulous to carry a 3kg sack.

Leaving out a fancy back system will cut the weight by a kilo for
starters. There are quite cheap rucksacks weighing less than 2kg. I'm
not sure I'd trust these ultralight sacks, but I certainly no longer
believe that a big heavy sack is as important as I used to think. If
you're travelling light you really don't need a rucksack designed for
the SAS or Antarctic expeditioneers.

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=118749

Paul Saunders said:

I would have agreed with that some years ago but since I've been making
more effort to travel light I'm finding that the less you carry the less
sturdy the rucksack needs to be. I'm not recommending a flimsy pack,
all I'm saying is that one of these fancy expensive back systems isn't
really necessary unless you are carrying a very heavy weight. My sack
doesn't have one and I have no problems with it. So long as there's
plenty of padding in the straps and hip belt that should be okay.

You don't even need that if the load is light. The point of a hipbelt
and frame is to transfer major weight off the shoulders onto the hips so
the legs take it directly, but if there's not much weight then that's
pretty much a moot point.

Another point is that a lot of padding on the back itself is often
counterproductive: if a frame and hipbelt are used the pack tends to
rotate off the back hinging at the hipbelt, so back padding takes no
weight, adds its own, and impedes ventilation. But they look like
they'll be more comfy in the shop, and that's what sells them.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In article <BD228B1D.34B87%andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk>, Andy
Howell <andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk.?.invalid> writes

Quoted message said:

Thanks. I was flirting with taking some - I think I will have to take some
dehydrated stuff with me this year. I suppose I ought to try some before I
go ...

I did buy one pack - steak and dumplings I think,- with the intention of
trying it before going to the Cwellyn Expedition. I ended up eating it
on the camping trip. It was fair but I wouldn't bother again.

Try before you buy seriously though - wise thinking.
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk