What Is Ultralight Backpacking?

Ultralight backpacking is carrying loads of 20 pounds or less. Ultralight backpackers generally carry much of the same equipment, they just choose the lightest iteration of each item available.

An ultralight backpacker vs. traditional backpacker comparison will help to illustrate the difference equipment selection can make on the total weight carried. Let us begin with a weight comparison of the big 4 items carried by the backpacker. These items are the backpack, sleeping bag, tent, and stove. The traditional backpacker carries a tent. The ultralight backpacker will use a tarp or bivy sack.

Looking at the chart below, notice the difference in weight. The traditional backpacker carries 13.5 additional pounds of weight. The equipment performs the same function. Yet the ultralight backpacker is only carrying 4.5 pounds. A big difference! Shave pounds, not ounces.

How To Get Started

In addition to searching out the lightest variant of each item carried, take a close look at the items you do carry. This is called the Philosophy of Need Verses Want. There are two places where significant progress in weight reduction is possible.

The first step in the progression is the elimination of excess gear. In the beginning many items of equipment go into the pack because they might be needed. Excess pounds are shed by removing items that are not used every day. Further examination of the equipment will identify items that perform multiple uses. Any item that serves a dual purpose allows us to remove a single purpose item.

The second step in the progression is to identify the lightest variation of each item of equipment in the pack. This is an evolutionary process. Careful research and selection will avert costly mistakes.

When we learn to identify needs vs. wants, we learn to do without many items of equipment. After-all, the point is to go on a journey, it is not the equipment we own. Perhaps this philosophy is best summed up by Ray Jardine, the father of the ultralight movement — "If I need it and don't have it, then I don't need it."

Much more information is available on gear selection, equipment review, and such on the Equipment page. You may wish to continue reading on this page to learn about some of the folks who contributed to the pursuit of ultralight backpacking.

TRAILBLAZERS

Earl Shaffer

Earl V. Shaffer is the first known person to complete a solo end-to-end thru hike of the Appalachian Trail. Earl dubbed his 1948 adventure of more than 2000 miles, "The Long Cruise." Earl subsequently went on to hike the Appalachian Trail two more times. Earl's 1965 trip was completed in 99 days. Some 50 years after his first successful thru hike, Earl completed the hike again, at the age of 79.

Earl was reportedly fond of stating that he would rather have a little bit of hardship than a lot of heavy carrying. True to his philosophy, Earl carried 17-25 pounds of gear on his last AT hike including an army surplus ruck sack, a down sleeping bag, poncho, spare change of clothes, peanut butter, oats, and other staples.

You can learn more about Earl's first thru hike of the AT in his book:

Walking With Spring, by Earl V. Shaffer, Appalachian Trail Conference, 2000.

 

Grandma Gatewood

Grandma Gatewood began hiking in her late 60's. For 18 years she walked trails across the United States, including the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, the Appalachian Trail, the Oregon Trail, and many others. Grandma Gatewood twice thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, competing the 2000 mile walk in 4 1/2 months. She sectioned hike the AT a third time.

Grandma Gatewood reportedly did not care for fancy gear, or much weight either. She carried a rain cape for protection and ground cover, plastic show curtain for shelter, an army blanket for sleeping, and food in a homemade bag draped over one shoulder. All this while wearing inexpensive canvas sneakers.

Grandma Gatewood suggested, "Go light; the lighter the better, so that you have the simplest material for health, comfort and enjoyment." And she was right. The point is to go forth, journey, and enjoy the experience. The point is not to carry stuff.

Ray Jardine

Ray Jardine walked away from a career as an aerospace engineer to pursue a life, not a career. In doing so, Ray changed the nature of outdoor sports. First as a wilderness instructor, then a rock climber, blue water sailor, hiker, and other pursuits. Ray Jardine invented the Friends climbing device, the Breeze pack, the sleeping quilt, and the Cave shelter to name a few.

Ray and his wife Jenny thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail several times, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. Gathering from their hiking experiences and Ray's background as an engineer, he began to create improved, more efficient gear. Ray and Jenny's base load of gear weighed less than 9 pounds.

You can learn more about Ray Jardine by reading his book:

Beyond Backpacking, by Ray Jardine, AdventureLore Press, 2000.

Where do you get started? Read on to the gear.