So I have been collecting equipment, researching possible disasters, learning necessary skills and preparing kits and plans to survive stuff for about a year now and I have all this stuff that would make it possible for me to rebuild a small neighborhood from the ashes to agrarian community in under 10 days <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Problem is now I can't comfortably walk out into the woods on a hike without 70# of gear since I might need it to survive ... whatever.

I am planning a thru-hike of the AT in a few years ( I plan and train slowly) and have been looking into ultralight backpacking. Many of these folks travel with base pack weights under 8 pounds for multiple weeks. I haven't been able to get my load below 30 pounds yet so I was wondering .....

Any recommendations on minimalist preparedness gear lists for the eventuality that a five day hike between resupply turns into a 14 day adventure?

Any personal experiences, recepes, plans, schematics, patterns for home-made gear that will lighten my load. ( I have built the Nimblwill stove and actually modified it somwhat for greater strength in less weight. It is down to 3 oz and I can put a 3 quart saucepan full of water on it steadily.) I am especially interested in anything that will lighten the big 4 (shelter, pack, sleeping bag, Stove / Fuel)

My PSK weighs 8 oz and my EDC FAK wieghs 9 oz but I generally carry a larger FAK for hiking. I camp with a Cold Steel bushman and a leatherman but I might rely on the leatherman only.

This is a survival question with a scenario. I am not looking to "ultralight" my BOB or my War Wagon kit. This is the scenario where I am hiking in the wilderness and find myself faced with the normal eventualities of the environment. I may be injured, lost, cold, hungry but I won't need to worry overly much about looting and rioting mobs of angry villagers nor will I choose to list as a concern the possibility of Nuclear armageddon or Bio terrorism.

What should I carry and how should I carry it. For example I will probably carry my PSK in my pants so if My pack is lost I will still have it. suggestions along these lines would also be helpful.

ps. Thanks to Schwert for reminding me about this site and to Truxbx for the whistle!! <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />