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| COOP'S HIKING PAGE |
| LIGHTER BACKPACKING |
| The Lighter Side: I have been trying to lighten up my load. Here' a little info about the gear and methods I've been trying and my impressions of it. Why? I want a lighter load for a few reasons: 1) Minimize the long-term impact to my knees. 2) Make the long days of walking more enjoyable. 3) I like the idea of having a simpler life on my back. As I gain more experience I am able to determine what I need and don't need and I have been able to trim my base load (before food & water) from around 30lbs down to something more like 15lbs. Here are specific changes I made to make my pack weight lighter: Pack Use a GVP G4 instead of my Ketly Tioga External Frame - Cost $85 - Weight Saved - 5 lbs Shelter Use a MSR Zoid 1 instead of a 2-man Feestanding Dome tent - Cost $140 - Weight Saved - 3 lbs Using the 8'x10' Campmore Siltarp instead of MSR Zoid 1 - Cost $70 - Weight Saved 1.5lbs Stove Use a StoveStomper modified ION stove instead of an MSRPocket Rocket - Cost $0 - Weight Saved 8oz. Weight savings was in the canister Cookware Use a Wal-mart greaspot & lid rather than MSR blacklite non-stick pot & lid - Cost $6 - Weight Saved - 6oz More to come... |