Lightweight – A Journey to Higher Adventure Chris Knaus LEAD; January 2016

Ediza Lake and Minarets. Ansel Adams Wilderness. Sept 2009 Objectives, Disclaimer and Reminder

. Objective: Awareness • Share experiences to help you and your Scouts learn about lightening- up and the possibilities offered, and • Describe a process to help you lighten-up. • Highlight some gear choices and ways to think about gear. . Disclaimer: • Views are mine only. BSA officialdom and the High Emigrant Lake. July 2006 Adventure Team do not necessarily Note frame pack, before endorse all of what I describe here. my lightweight journey . Reminder: Be Prepared. Scout began. safety is your prime responsibility.

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 2 Introduction - Who am I? . Backpacking since age 12 . Cub Scout, Boy Scout & Explorer . Troop 236 (Danville) . Current Scouting Roles • HAT Core, BBA & OKPIKStaff • Former Meridian District Committee Chair & MDSC Board Member . Currently enjoy backpacking with “ex-Scout Dads” including J Muir Trail (2013) & High Sierra Trail (2015).

Timberline Lake & Mt. Whitney. Sept 2015.

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 3 Old school - does this look like fun?

Emigrant Wilderness. Aug 2004

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 4 Lightweight backpacking is not universally accepted. Arguments include…

For lightening-up Against lightening-up

Less wear and tear on body Thinner margin for error Heightened enjoyment May push your experience Ability to go farther each day Cost Capacity for other goals Miss creature comforts

Goal: To strike a safe balance between extremes.

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 5 Bottom Line: It is almost impossible to enjoy a trail like this with a heavy pack.

Mather Pass & Palisade Lakes– John Muir Trail Sept 2013

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 6 How to think about lightening-up

. Establish your trip objective… • Recreation? Fishing? Scenery? Photography? • Trekking? # of miles/day? Peak bagging? • Young Scout introduction? • Build leadership? Training? • Combination? . … then factor in… • Participants’ Skill, Abilities • Time of year: Weather, Mosquitoes . … and think about… • Systems, necessity & redundancy

• Safety Bigelow Lake Pass. Emigrant Wilderness. Aug 2004 . …then consider range of options and trade-offs: Program Tip: • Weight, Cost, Functionality • Set-up during PLC planning outing. • Personal preference & judgment See Appendix: Andrew Skurka’ s “Seven Steps to Lighten-up”

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 7 An ongoing process to find what works for you

Identify Plan Implement Start . List gear for a typical . Learn about gear alternatives. . Implement gear trip Study trade-offs regarding changes per plan

. Weigh items and • Performance . Test in the field tabulate • Comfort & Preference • Durability . Find you own . Identify redundancies • Weight personal “sweet and eliminate items spot” balancing • Cost unnecessary for trip weight, functionality objective and abilities. • Alternate sources and cost . • Consider both group Think “systems” to reduce and individual needs redundancy (Extra Credit) . Repeat often!

. Identify heavier items . Establish Plan: which may be replaced • Weight Goals • “Big Three” • Monetary Budget Program Tip: • Gear List Development • Timeline • ID Redundancies – lay stuff on table

See Appendix: Andrew Skurka’ s “Seven Steps to Lighten-up” Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 8 Scale and spreadsheet help understand weight, identify redundancies and consider trade-offs.

Program Tip: • Meeting where Scouts weigh their gear, input data into simple spreadsheet. (Competition?) • Patrols develop mutual gear plans

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 9 Terminology used…

. Base Weight: . Lightweight: • Everything but consumables • Base weight < 20 lbs. (food, water, fuel) . Ultra light: . Total Pack Weight: • Base weight < 10 lbs. • Adds food, water & fuel carried . Superultralight: . Skin-out Weight: • Base weight <5 lbs. • Adds clothing and footwear . Stupid light: worn plus items carried in • Andrew Skurka’s term for hand (e.g. trekking poles, when “desperate weight altimeters, watches) savings can have adverse effects.”

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 10 Concepts in thinking about gear – extra credit!

Functionality Systems . Explicitly determine what . Gear systems work together to functions you need meet functionality . Determine the function a piece . Example: Sleep system of gear is to perform. • Shelter, pad, sleeping bag or quilt, jacket, longjohns & knit cap all work . Simplify to a “verb noun” together to “retain warmth” combination: . Consider if a system meets • “retain warmth” • “boil water” vs. “cook food” functionality at less weight. o o • “deflect rain” or “shed water” • e.g. 20 F bag vs. 35 F bag vs. quilt with jacket • “illuminate objects” • Other examples? Program Tip: • Introduce concepts . Equipment may perform of function and multiple functions systems “The Scout motto ‘Be Prepared’ is often misinterpreted as ‘Be Equipped.’” - Michael Ray. Terre Haute, Indiana

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 11 Prioritizing Weight Reductions. What makes economic sense?

. Lightweight equipment can be costly! Make a budget. Consider: . “Bang for buck” . Scout families’ budgets . Increase families’ awareness of weight trade-offs. . Use less expensive sources

without buying junk. Reference: “Lightweight Backpacking, Wal-Mart Style.” http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi- bin/backpackinglight/lightweight_backpacking_wal- mart_style.html. Dec 2010.

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 12 Prioritizing Weight Reductions. The Big 3: Pack, Bag & Shelter

Illustrative Weights for the “Big-3”

(lb.)

(lb.)

(lb.)

(lb.)

Source: Mike Dubrall. www.50miler.com

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 13 (Carry Stuff) Traditional Basic, Internal Minimal Frameless Frame Pack Frame Internal Frame (Go Lite, Gossamer (Kelty Super Tioga) (Osprey Aether 85) (Osprey Exos 58) Gear, others)

Features Frame, pockets for Internal frame Internal frame Generally no frame lots of gear. Advanced fabrics (use closed cell pad) Weight ~6-7 lb 4 lb something 2 lb something 1 lb something Pros Carries a ton Great pack, Minimal frame Lightweight. Pack Comfortable - frame comfortable helps get (light) doesn’t need as eases burden of weight on hips. much support or extra weight. capacity if truly lightened-up. Cons Weights a ton. Still bigger and Doesn’t work until Capacity more than heavier than load is lightened! needed. necessary Weight on shoulder

Cost $150 or so $225 $225 $100-$200 REI Flash: $169-125 Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 14 Sleep Systems (Retain Warmth) Light Synthetic Light Down Bag Lighter Down Quilt Bag (Western Bag (example BPL UL (Western 240 Quilt ) Alpinlight) Mountaineering Summerlite)

Features 20 oF 30 oF Wrap around, works Full zipper Full zipper with pad. Beware of temp ratings! Weight 2 lb 5 oz. 1 lb 9 oz. 13 oz or so

Pros Synthetic OK if wet Wider Girth Narrower Girth Lightweight Useful in Winter System use with insulating garments. Cons Heavier Down useless if wet Unfamiliar Cost $400 $350 $125+? Sub-Kilo: $169-200

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 15 Shelter (Shelter Body, perhaps Exclude Mosquitoes) 2 man tent 2 man tent TarpTent Ultralight Tarp Solo Shared (Tarptent (Six Moon Designs (REI Half Dome) (REI Half Dome) Contrail) Skyscape X)

Features Double Wall Double Wall Single Wall with Uses lightweight Open. Uses trekking Ventilation Cuben fiber. poles. Bivvy for Uses trekking Poles Hybrid double wall add’l protection. Uses trekking poles. Weight 6 lb 5 oz. 3 lb 2.5 oz 1 lb 8 oz 15 oz Between 6 oz and 1

incl ground cloth incl ground cloth lb. + Pros Roomy Roomy Lightweight, Length, Ultra lightweight, System: uses Newer models use No condensation Bug Protection, Bug Protection, trekking poles Meeting where alternatives are are where Meeting demonstrated. alternatives lighter fabrics & Ventilation

Program Tip: Program • weigh less. Cons Privacy. Partner’s Not free standing Costly Bug exposure flatulence & snore Not free standing Bivvy cramped Not free standing Cost $190 $200 $565 $75 + Ouch! $75-200 for Bivvy Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 16 Clothing – A culprit in making packs unnecessarily heavy

. Easy to slip in an extra something – just in case! . Necessary functions: . “Retain Heat” . “Deflect Sun” . “Deflect Rain” . “Protect Feet” . Breathable & wicking fabrics (Nylon, Merino wool, polypro, etc.) rather than evil cotton. . Layering: Base, Insulation & Shell

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 17 My Sierra Summer Clothing System: - One complete set of clothes! . Worn on trail • Poly or Merino Wool T-shirt • Compression boxer underwear (Doubles as swimsuit*) • Convertible pants (Doubles as shorts) • Socks & sock liners • Tilley hat & sunglasses • Trail Runners (Controversial!) . Packed: • L/S shirt layer (Sun shirt or Smartwool) • Long-johns. Silk, polypro or merino wool. Bottom & (perhaps) top (Bonus function: “Protect bag”) • Insulation: Down jacket • Shell: Rain jacket and pants (breathable) • Beanie, glove liners & trail mittens • Extra socks - my only duplicate items How much spare clothing will a Scout actually wear?

* Circumstances may call for swimsuit or spare shorts rather than swimming in boxers (e.g. Coed Venture Crew). Ref. Guide to Donahue Pass. Yosemite. Aug 2011 Safe Scouting)

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 18

Footwear Boots + Tevas Boots + Crocs Boots only Trail Runners or Keens Asolo Fugitive GTX

Features Rugged, durable, Some GoreTex, waterproof some not. Some people get non-H2O proof and dry “on the foot.” Boots + 1 lb 6 oz. Boots + 10 oz. ~4 lbs ~1 ½ - 2 lb

Weight circles. Scouting in controversial somewhat runners of trail Use Pros Flexibility for stream crossings. Ankle & toe Lightweight, Comfort around camp. protection comfortable. Winter warmth Cons Heavier than necessary. Heavy. Does Scouts’ risk of injury 2nd pair not always needed. “protection” increased during trail runners. provide false sense horseplay. out of security? Sufficient protection -

for fragile, old feet? worn by Cost Boots + $45-80 Boots +$20-40 ~$125-200+ ~$80-120 aggravated injury foot My Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 19 Other Gear Considerations

. Pots (Cook food, boil water) – Philmont issued pots are heavy. . Plates & Mess Kits (Hold food) – Mess kits are heavy & superfluous. Plastic bowl & spoon is all you need. Extra credit: Mug only . Group Tarp (Deflect water and wind, protect body) – Philmont nylon tarp (4 lbs) vs. Silnylon (<2 lbs) . Flashlights (Illuminate objects) – Maglites of various sizes vs. headlamp vs. “keychain” LED . Clothes (Minimize exposure, retain warmth) – How much spare clothing is a Scout going to wear anyway?

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 20 “Your Heaviest Gear: You!”

. Wherever carried, extra weight impacts your body and thus affects your experience. . Suggestion: • Find balance between weight, exercise, diet, fitness, lifestyle, change, realistic goals, etc. • Complement your trek training program . Bottom line: • Less costly than new gear Reference: “Lighten Your Heaviest Gear: You!” by Jeremy Pendrey • Added benefit of improved health! www.backpackinglight.com • Requires self discipline

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 21 Involving Scouts in the quest to “lighten-up”

. Think about the impact of “30% of body weight” rule of thumb on a growing 12 year old Scout. • What if lighter? What if heavier? • Seek to build a Scout’s enthusiasm, not turn them off. . Considerations: • Risk of injury to growing body • Cost

• Wait until 15? No! Mt. Phillips. Philmont. Aug 2008 • Ability and skill level must be developed . Ways to accomplish: • Meeting program • Demonstrations and practice hikes • Sharing & borrowing gear. Distribution of group gear. • Senior Scouts help/lead young-uns . Lead by your example

Emigrant Lake. July 2006

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 22 Resources

. High Adventure Team, Peers . Books: • “Beyond Backpacking - Ray Jardine's Guide to . Dozens of websites. Google… Lightweight ” Ray Jardine. Advocates “Ray’s way” - a systems based • www.backpackinglight.com approach. May seem extreme, but shows  Equipment reviews, gear tests, stories, blogs, what is possible. www.rayjardine.com/ reader’s forum, gear shop. Gear Lists from • “The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & “typical” weekend outing through Philmont. Techniques to Hit the Trail” Andrew Skurka.  Owner Ryan Jordan involved in Scouting (Montana From experiences on multiple treks (e.g. Council) and has developed LW B’packing Scout 6000+ miles around Alaska). Trekking based training. www.backpackinglight.com/montanabsa system focus may easily be applied across the (see welcome kit and gear list) board. Guards against “stupid light.”  Requires subscription for good stuff ($25/yr) www.andrewskurka.com • www.50miler.com • “Ultralight Backpackin’ Tips” Mike Clelland. 153 practical & inexpensive ‘tips’ – easy read.  Run by local Scouter, Mike Dubrall.  Emphasizes general Scouting applications, Sierras. . Retailers, Stores (REI, Sunrise, others…), • www.backpackgeartest.org - Gear reviews. Internet & Catalogs • SectionHiker.com - Video Series from Capitol • Ultra light gear generally not mass marketed. Area Council (Texas) Cottage industry suppliers on internet include: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Sectionhikercom/~3/945u  www.tarptent.com, www.gossamergear.com, Zgs3QnU/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email www.sixmoondesigns.com, www.golite.com YouTube Links www.mountainlaureldesigns.com , www.titaniumgoat.com, www.rutalocura.com Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 23 In Conclusion…

. Lightening-up can and/or will… … increase your enjoyment of backpacking … open-up a whole new world … be expensive, but costs can be managed … test your abilities … be a journey

Headwaters of Lyell Fork, Tuolumne River. Yosemite. Aug 2011

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 24 Thanks for your attention! Questions?

Whitney Portal. Conclusion of John Muir Trail Trek. September 2013

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 25 Approach to Dusy Basin looking across Le Conte Canyon. Kings Canyon National Park. Sept 2012.

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 26 Appendix: “Seven Steps to Lighten-up” - Andrew Skurka

Andrew Spends most of his day walking, so he optimizes his pack 4. Use versatile gear and eliminate redundancies. Pitch your for on-trail ecstasy by keeping it light. However, he doesn’t go shelter with your trekking poles. Wear your clothing at night “stupid light” by sacrificing too much functionality, durability, and carry a lighter sleeping bag. Use a sleeping pad as a “virtual comfort etc. for the sake of saving a few grams. Here are seven frame” in your frameless pack. Replace your raingear, shelter tips to lighten up: and pack cover with a poncho/tarp. And put soft-sided Platypus water bottles and extra clothing inside a stuff sack to make a 1. Create a gear list. In a spreadsheet list the gear you may take pillow. on an upcoming trip, and weigh each item with a postal scale. Never guess the weight or trust the manufacturer’s specs. The 5. Increase the caloric density of your food. One ounce of fat gear list allows you to compare options, identify excessively contains 240 calories; one ounce of protein or carbohydrates, heavy items, and track your progress over successive trips. just 100. The most weight-efficient diet, then, would consist solely of butter or some other pure fat. Of course, that would 2. Take less stuff. Research the conditions (e.g. temps, precip, be gross – instead, bulk up on chocolate, nuts, Fritos, peanut remoteness, and natural hazards) you will encounter so that butter and similarly fatty foods. Aim for a caloric density of 125- you do not justify items on the baseless “what if” and “just in 150 calories/ounce. case” scenarios or on unfounded personal insecurities. Be realistic about your true needs and wants; if want to take a 6. Optimize your hydration. Learn how much water you need per luxury item, make sure that it has a high luxury-to-weight ratio. hour under certain conditions (e.g. temperatures, elevation After a trip, identify items you did not use or need and consider gain/loss, shade, etc.), and only take enough to reach your next leaving them at home next time. water source. 3. Take lighter gear. Consider a tarp or tarptent instead of a 7. Eliminate all extraneousness. Remove ice axe loops, daisy double-wall tent. Make an ultralight alcohol stove from a cat chains, extra webbing and/or hydration sleeves from your pack. food can. Take one high-loft insulated jacket instead of multiple Ditto for shirt tags, guidebook margins, and pot handles. And fleece layers. And learn to use a map and compass so you can chop toothbrushes, foam sleeping pads, and lexan utensils to ditch your GPS. These decisions have a multiplier effect: a make them lighter and more packable. This step is intentionally lighter load allows you to wear trail shoes instead of boots, to listed last – the weight savings are negligible compared to the carry a lighter and smaller , and to carry less food and steps above. water because you will cover distances between resupply

points and water sources more quickly.

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 27 Obey the rules. Safety always! Bear Bags or Cans (Protect food & bears) Bear Bag in Tree Ursack w/ Al Traditional Berikade Liner Bear Can Weekender

Features 650 in 3 650 in3 (Garcia) 650 in3 Spectra Fiber + 700 in3 (BV500) Composite Aluminum Liner Materials Weight 3 oz. 8 oz + 11 oz. 2 lb 9 oz. 1 lb 15 oz. Pros Easy, cheap, Lightweight Effective Effective. Lighter lightweight than Garcia & BV Cons Often ineffective due User error: knots. Heavy Over the top $$ to user error and Not allowed in Yosemite, Bulky Bulky smart bears. plus parts of Kings Can & Girdles trees. Sequoia. Cost Trivial for rope, $65 + $20 $65 (buy) $275 biners. $5/wk (rent) Rental rates for Scouts. Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 28 Insulating Layer (Retain Warmth) Legacy Fleece Light Down Ultra light Down Jacket (REI Muir Wood) Jacket Down Jacket (Camp 7 from High (First Ascent) (Mont Bell UL Inner) School days)

Weight 2 lb 1 oz 1 lb 1.7 oz 13 oz 7.3 oz Pros Available Available in “tall” size Cons Old Bulky Fragile fabric Bulky No Pockets Cost already have $80 sale $35 $189 sale $109 $150 already have

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 29 Raincoat (Deflect Water)

Legacy Gore Lighter Lighter still Dri Ducks Tex Parka (Marmot Precip) (Marmot Nano) Frog Togs (REI 15 yrs ago)

Weight 1 lb 12 oz 14 oz 8oz. 6 – 7 oz. Pros Long/coverage Lightweight, Gore Tex “Paclite” Great value. Still waterproof, but breathable. Lightweight, Lightweight, age is beginning to Good balance breathable breathable show. between weight, OK for occasional durability and use. functionality Cons Bulky & heavy $$$. No Pit zips, Fragile pockets No Pockets

Cost already have $90 sale $70 $250 sale $175 $15-$25 $125 Consider fabric weight vs. durability, laminated coating and breathability, zippers

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 30 Also: • Alcohol (Beer can stove verbotten, Guide to Safe Scouting) Stoves (Heat food/water) • Wood Fire Svea 123 MSR Remote Attached Canister Jet Boil Whisperlite Canister (Snow Peak Gigapower) (MSR WindPro)

Features Sentimental White Gas Iso-Butane & Iso-Butane & Integrated stove w/ Favorite! Separate Fuel Bottle Propane Propane high efficiency pot. White Gas Widely used by Detached Canister Upright Canister Troops Piezo sparker. Weight 1 lb 3 oz. 11 oz. 6.8 oz. 2 – 4 oz. 8 – 12 oz. (Incl pot!) Pros Rugged, dependable, Cold weather Inverted models Light, simple & Fast. Efficiency powerful performance. have improved cold powerful minimizes fuel use. Durable. weather Weight savings pays- Simple. performance. out for long trips. Cons Separate fuel bottle Separate fuel bottle Canister weight & Need windscreen Expensive. (+5.1 oz.) (+5.1 oz.) disposal Canister weight & Boils water well but Priming Priming (+5 oz empty) (+5 oz empty) hard to cook or Temperamental – Poor performance if simmer. bring field repair kit < 20o F. Cost $110 $65 $90 $25-60 $75 - 150 Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 31 Water Container (Carry Water) Nalgene Bottle Hydration Kit Nalgene Used Gatorade (Traditional) (Platypus 2L Hoser) “Canteen” Bottle

Features Holds Water Holds Water Holds Water Holds Water Dispenses water Weight 6 oz. 3.4 oz. 2 oz. 2 oz. Pros Wide Mouth Hydration hose Wide Mouth. Wider mouth Durable convenient. Collapses. Cheap Mixing Collapses. Encourages more drinking. Cons Heavy Narrow mouth Leak prone? Concerns over BPA free. Mixing difficult reusing plastic. Cost $9 $20 $10 $0

Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 32 What if desired functionality includes repair stove & pack? Could a plastic utility knife or razor blade perform desired functionality? Knife (Cut cheese, salami & moleskin)

Leatherman (or Traditional Leatherman Swiss Army hard-core Swiss Swiss Army Micra or Squirt Classic SD Army knives) Knife

Features All but kitchen sink Large blade, Awl, Pliers (Squirt) Scissors Tweezers Scissors (Micra) Tweezers Weight 6 oz + 1.9 oz + 1.9 oz. 0.7 oz Pros Could repair the Two blades, Can Good functionality Light space shuttle opener & awl are & weight balance Sharp scissors don’t useful. Pliers for stove get cheese goo on Corkscrew? repair. them

Cons Unnecessary No scissors Small, easily lost. Small Blade functions, heavy

Cost $40 + $20 $40 Squirt $10 $25 Micra Lightweight Backpacking. A Journey to Higher Adventure. 33