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="" />

8 lbs or 80, we insist on a rather inefficient carry mode. You may want to try a traditional TUMPLINE. This is a headband worn high on the forehead with 2- 8 ' leather straps for securing backloads or attaching to a pack. A lightwieght shelter is the TARPTENT, a very versatile unit that can be rigged in several configurations www.tentsmiths.com/page34.htm Remember that sleeping bags are rated ( usually optimistically) with a tent and even appropriate clothing.You may consider a BIVY mated to a bag.

miniMe- I have been casually researching "*light" backpacking for a while. One of these days I hope to actually put it into practice.

I would refer you to tarptent as a good start on lightweight shelters. Start with the "projects" section, which has some good introductory material. That site makes reference to gvpgear for information about a lightweight pack. The gold standard in ultralight load hauling is Ray Jardine's Breeze.

For something outside of the box (or is that inside the tent?), try Powerpac.

As for lightening the stove/fuel, many swear by small alcohol stoves, but check out sierra zip stove on your favorite search engine. Along the AT there should be no shortage of fuel. A low impact start to living off the land.

Regards,

/Neal

Basically you want to do lots of trips, starting with overnighters and progressing on to longer trips and discover what works for you. I would recommend a 1.3 oz sil tarp (8x10) for shelter, a lightweight sleeping bag (Feathered Friends is one good brand) and a small sleeping pad, together with a smaller cook set - My light weight cookset is a one liter lightweight aluminum ( not titanium). I have sometimes carried alcohold stoves, but I currently prefer a MSR Pocket Rocket with usually an 8 oz canister. Per BTU produced, I believe this will beat an alcohol stove.

I wouldn't worry about "losing your pack" unless you will be crossing a lot of really hairy streams. Basically your pack is your PSK, and everything in it is carefully selected for versatility.

You did not say if you will be doing this trip with a companion - good friend is a real handy ultralite accessory. I believe Mr and Mrs Jardine share a double bag, the stove, tarp, etc. so each of them is effectively carrying one half of your big 4.

I am not into long trail hiking, but essentially you are stringing together a series of 5 to 7 day hikes, with resupply at known points along a well used trail (at least for the AT).

I would carry much less cutlery. Jardine carries a SAK Classic, used to open his care packages at resupply points. Otherwise he never has to cut anything, or so he says. You need a Leatherman as your supply of do-dads increases, especially ski bindings, elaborate stoves, etc. As things simplify, the L tool is less necessary.

You may be able to do with less of a FAK. Your headlamp, bandanna, etc. can be particularly good FAK components, even if carried separately.

It is all about finding what will work for you. There are quite a few ultra enthusiasts with websites that have some good information, but test it all yourself.

no prob!
have fun with the tins and the bag too... <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I want to second the vote for a siliconized tarp. Recently on one of our rescues, the pack that has the patient packaging gear (blanket, plastic for vapor barrier, helmet, etc.) did not make it up to the moutain to the scene. One of our members pulled out of his pack a siliconized tarp that was compact and lightweight. It was perfect for our needs. Our only concern was retrieving the tarp from the trauma center, as this was a helicopter evac and his name was not on the tarp. Fortunately with a few phone calls he was able to retrieve the tarp. When I asked him where he purchased it and the cost, he said it came from a Canadian co-op(Mountain Equipment Co-op), more like what REI used to be, with the exchange rate it ran around $35.00 USD. Here is the web site if you are interested. Pete

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detai...D=1043419340941

Sorry if it is obvious to everyone else. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

AT = Appalachian Trail

Thanks! I thought maybe it had something to do with Alaska...

Like Alaskan Trail?

Matt