LightBackpacking.com

This week I’m preparing for my first backpack of the season. I’m kind of sad it has taken so long to get out on the trail. Last year, I was out by March. This year, with the mountains clearing of snow early in California and 50% less rainfall — and snow, I presume — I could be working toward my third trip. I do like to take 6 trips a year from March - November. Something called “work” and “family commitments” have gotten in the way.

So, like I say in the headline, I’ve been talking about going light all winter, now I’ve got to drag my gear out and get ready.

What’s the big deal, says my wife, Gerry. “You do it every year. Just pull out your list.” Well, there’s that. And the three huge tubs of gear I own. So, I’ll pick through it and try to decide what I liked best last year and what didn’t work as well.

If you’re asking yourself where to start, here’s my advice:

-Going light or ultralight is a philosophy not a test of weights and measures. You have to know lightness on your back means lightness of step, lightness of being in the wilderness.

-Keep you base light (tent, backpack, sleeping bag and pad): 10 pounds or less.

-Make everything in your pack do double, triple or quadruple
duty, i.e. your bandana can be a sling, a sweat band, a filter to keep leaves and dirt out of your water bottle, a napkin and a wash cloth.

-Think through about day, each meal, each planned activity and figure out exactly what you need.

The bottom line: no matter how well you plan you will forget something or take something you didn’t need. That’s okay. Fine tune your pack after every trip.

Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.