Comments on: Backpacking, Part 2: Cutting weight

By: bob doucette

bob doucette — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:30:58 +0000

Another excellent suggestion. That exact process helped me trim my back down 10 pounds on my second go-around.

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:17:56 +0000

Of course you want to take the lightest versions of whatever you do take (if you spare the $ for the light versions). Often most of the weight is in thing you don't really need. After a short backpack trip (1 or 2 nights) when you get home empty the pack. Anything that was not used should come off the list for the next trip - except for emergency items like 1st aid and rain gear - but some careful thought can lighten that as well. Robin BackpackBaseCamp .com

By: bob doucette

bob doucette — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:52:42 +0000

Excellent advice. And major props for suggesting splitting/sharing gear. This makes huge sense with things like stoves, tents, etc.

By: Frank - Our Hiking Blog

Frank - Our Hiking Blog — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:47:41 +0000

Some really good ideas here. People get worried they are going to “need” something so take it with them “just in case”.
A couple of more ideas may be to:
- remove all packaging from food – we sometimes even combine packages into one “freezer: bag rather than taking 2 or 3 sachels
- we weigh or measure foor out before we go” – our aim is to arrive home with very little spare (high energy generally equals high weight)
- share as much gear as you can – sunscreen, bug stuff, water carriers, the list goes on
- be really selective in the clothes you take – use layering and you will always be warm
- We did a post on “Our Hiking Blog” on how to make a good trip great – some more ideas there http://bit.ly/wWMpY

Cheers from Oz