The nub: I am thrilled with the freedom and ease that I feel on the trail now. These ideas
took the slogging out of backpacking for me. Now, it's a joy.
The longer story: I have found that to lighten my pack safely, I have had to learn a lot. I've learned
more about outdoor survival methods and about the physical causes of heat loss. I'm
a
beginning-intermediate level backpacker. I have a lot more to learn. Good thing that I enjoy learning!
Full disclosure:
I'm a 44 year-old woman. I'm just under 5'4" in height. I weigh 108 pounds. I jog and lift weights to
stay fit, but I consider 10 miles
a long hike, even with a day pack.
Because my strength is limited, I
benefit hugely from any savings in weight in my pack or clothing. On the other hand, I'm too anxious to sacrifice safety
by leaving medical and survival items out of my pack. Because I am so small, I need much more warm clothing than
the average 160
pound male hiker. Those clothes add weight and bulk. Unfortunately, I also seem to eat more than
the average
woman my size. Hmm.... The result is that I plan carefully. I also experiment by camping in the
back yard
to test gear in various weather conditions, test gear on day hikes, and bring conventional back-up gear
with me on camping trips in case the new ultralight items don't work for me.
It would be a big mistake to buy the items on my gear list and go to the Montana wilderness for a week. Don't do it! Learn for yourself. Pass along what you figure out!
Trip planning for Dec.
7-8, Big Basin
My gear list
My home-made stove
Where to buy stuff
Sewing your own
Books, videos, and Web sites
Day hike essentials
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(c)Rhona Mahony, 2002: rmahony@stanford.edu