The Backpacking Angler

[rkfiske]

Thanks for all the information guys, I think I'm just gonna have to learn to live without when it comes to alot of the junk I carry fishing.

[rkfiske]

Out of curiosity Shane, do you happen to know the exact title of the book you were recommending, there are a few on the subject there I think

[anacrime]

here you go

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... 00070.html


it's known as the "bible" within the ultralight community. it's available on amazon and at REI.

[rkfiske]

Thanks Shane, though I may not ever prescribe fully to the ultralight philosophy I'm thinking this book might give me great insight into ways to give up some weight without sacrificing too much of the comfort I like to have.

[anacrime]

here's a link to my gear list in progress for this summer in the Sierras

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key= ... 8MB5iA-Uew

[anacrime]

Thanks Shane, though I may not ever prescribe fully to the ultralight philosophy I'm thinking this book might give me great insight into ways to give up some weight without sacrificing too much of the comfort I like to have.

It will dude. It's seriously like a science text book. Gets way in depth about water solutions, the function of various materials, risk management, and more. Quite eye opening.

[rayfound]

here you go

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... 00070.html


it's known as the "bible" within the ultralight community. it's available on amazon and at REI.

Not available at the Riverside Public Library.

Neither is Cutter's or Mike Brown's Sierra trout guides. Sad. Some days I love the library for the things it has, other days I hate it for the things it doesn't.

[rkfiske]

Shane, thanks for the list. You really are an ultralight guy it's pretty impressive. I'll have to really make up a spreadsheet too so that I can figure out where I can shed weight and everything.

[rayfound]

here's a link to my gear list in progress for this summer in the Sierras

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key= ... 8MB5iA-Uew

Good List. I have a similar list that I started... but once it looked like I would be good on weight, I didn't finish it and started packing.

I'm curious, as you finish your list, what do you think your final pack weight will be including food, fuel, etc...?

Obviously doing a thru hike like the JMT, pack weight becomes a crucial element for being able to pound out the miles, but do you think you would change your approach if you were doing more of a destination hike (Hike into a basin, then just hike 1-3 miles a day to move to a different lake/stream)?

what kind of food are you doing for the trip? You doing mountain-house type stuff or something else? I generally assume a little less than 1lb per day for food. If campfires are legal where you're traveling, are you guys planning on bringing some tin foil and butter to do some foil-pouch trout? (Wild onions are often available)

I'm personally convinced that the freeze dried meals plus the jetboil are the best compromise of food quality, ease of preparation, low cleanup, and weight.

You've also clearly invested some money to get "outdoors" clothing... which tends to be a heck of a lot lighter than the "regular" type stuff I use (Regular workout shorts, warm-up pants, cotton T-shirts, costco boxer shorts, JC Penny warmth/rain jacket). This looks to be a place that a lot of us could really shave a few pounds with the synthetic materials.


This has been a fun discussion. I think its interesting to see how everyone has a different view of what light means. Its also inspired me to take another hard look at all my gear, and see what doesn't need to come, and what I can replace for cheap or free (Decided today I'm getting rid of my full-weight knife/fork... using those clear plastic disposable ones... I'm sure they'll survive a few nights.) As our trip just grew one day to 3 nights(woo-hoo!), I'm going to try and keep my pack weight the same, but add in about a pound of food.

[Papasequoia]

Reading Ray's message got me thinking about cooking/eating gear:

Buy a Lexan spork from REI, they are only a couple of bucks and work great.

Carry a swiss army knife instead of a knife just for food. I use one that I think is called the hiker that is a fairly small one but has most of the tools that I need most of the time, doesn't weigh a lot and can be carried in my pocket.

I finally ditched the heavyweight cooking gear and got a single titanium pot. Ridiculously expensive, but all I really need is one pot. If I think I'll need a saute type pan I can use one from the old kit and leave the other parts behind.

I had been tossing the bowls from those large, instant Miso/Tofu type soups until I went on a trip with Mike last year and saw him using them for breakfast and dinner. Very lightweight, can be used several times, have a lid if you need one. I've been saving them up since that trip for future use. (Annie Chun's Udon Soup Bowl is one brand, there are others) No need to bring any other plates or bowls.

I have to have good, strong coffee in the morning, so instead of a separate coffee maker/french press, whatever, I got an insulated mug that has a lid with a French press a couple of years ago. Works great, weighs very little, can double for other liquids when needed.

Another purchase last year based on experience from a trip with Dave/Wtw was to buy a basecamp water filter. It weighs almost the same as my old pump filter, but it works much faster and easier and can be used by all. A great investment! http://www.rei.com/product/737349

I don't know how much weight overall I've saved by making these changes, but it's a lot more than I saved by sawing my toothbrush in half. There may be even more lightweight alternatives out there, but these work for me.

[rkfiske]

Interesting recommendation with the base camp filter. For some reason I just glossed over those when looking for a filter. I don't actually have a filter yet since I've been on the fence for a bit about which one to get. I had it down to the katadyn hiker pro that my friend has and the msr miniworks. Now i'm considering perhaps getting one of these base camp filters. Anyone else want to pitch in with their experiences with any of these that I've listed or alternatives they like to use?

[Benny]

The base camp filter is bad butt. I had the use of this same filter via Antonio aka dna, if your in a group it works out great as am quite sure it would be great even if your on your own.

I have the MSR Water Works, it works fine but a little on the heavy side and it sucks pumping water

I also have the Seychelle water bottle filter super easy to use, unscrew the top and fill the bottle, * the cap back on and just drink up. Nice to have while on the river just drink as much as you want.

[rayfound]

Jon, FWIW - with the jetboil system, I don't need bowls, or cups

Ryan, on the water issue - it really depends where you're going. I've never used a filer on previous trips, just located water sources that were "safe" (this always starts a huge argument) from direct snow-melt or springs.

This year I will be bringing my seychelle bottle (which I use locally), in addition to a Std. Nalgene. If I want to get water from a stream or a lake, the seychelle will let me do that without concern.

If I were going somewhere lower elevation (I like to be around 11,000 ft), or with longer hiking stretches without available water, I would likely invest in a pump-style filter (or make sure someone in my group did).

So I think there is no one right answer when it comes to water purification.


This is a great article about the safety of drinking in the sierra.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-os-giardia26jul26



BUT - Not everyone agrees with me. Many suggest I am taking "un-needed risks". I like to think of my common sense as all the filter I need for where I go.

[Gary C.]

I bought one of the new MSR Hyperflow filters and so far it works great. It's lighter and pumps water faster than most anything out there. I seem to be one of the lucky ones tho because a lot of people have had major problems with them. I've read that MSR has corrected the problem but I would advise anyone to wait and see or at least do your research to make sure before buying one.
As for the base camp I agree that it is a dream come true around camp. Matt had the first one I used and it made things so nice I talked a buddy into getting one. I still take my MSR for on the trail fill-ups because it is faster and easyer but once we get to camp it's all about the Base Camp.
Gary C.

[rayfound]

Here's my finished gear List. Camp chair, on such a short tip, during mosquito season, will likely get the axe for this trip (I love it, but there probably won't be much sitting around and chatting in the evenings ( I would be the only one with the chair anyway).

General food is an estimate only, I haven't gotten all the snickers, M&Ms, and Fritos that I need yet. (peanut MMs and Fritos make a trail mix that is just about perfect)

3 Night trip

Jetboil (W/ 100g fuel) 22.2
Sleeping Bag 66.2
Backpack 43
Thermarest 34.7
Blue Tent poles/pegs 37
Camp chair 11
Moleskin 1
Compass 0.7
Water bottles (Seychelle + Nalgene) 9.7
Spoon 1.4
TP 3.6
Soap 4.1
DEET 2
Drugs (Pain, Allergy, Antibiotics) 1.3
Mountain House Meals (3) 18
Snack Bars, oatmeal, Ramen, etc… 28
Clothes 22
Dish towel 4.5
Jacket 26
Vest W/Fly Boxes 46
Reel 5.3
Rod and Sock (Each) 5
Rod Tube 10
Camera 4
Car keys 2

Total Ounces 408.7
Total Pounds 25.54375