Lightweight Backpacking

Home | Lightweight backpacking | Lightweight backpacking list for 2 people

Overview

This is my backpacking list for a 7 day, 2 person trip into the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming in the summer. Daytimes are generally 70's, sunny and have clouds of mosquitoes. Night times are generally just above freezing. It often rains for a half hour every afternoon, but can have a major snow storm move through. Going into canyon country of Southern Utah, I would leave many of the clothes home, and pack more water.

Lightweight backpacking philosophy

Backpacking should be fun. If it isn't fun, it isn't worth doing. Making it enjoyable depends upon carrying as little as possible where you are going, and then having everything there when you stop. Obviously, some compromises are in order.

Figure out what you absolutely must have. This includes safety equipment and enough protection from Mother Nature. An example is shelter, warmth at night, food, water, map and first aid kit.
If anything can be replaced by anything else on this list, do it. An example would be night clothes and the silk sleeping bag liner. Leave the night clothes at home.
With everything on the list, see if there is a lighter or smaller substitute that does the job acceptably well. A 4000 cubic inch internal frame backpack weighing 56 ounces is a better choice than a 4000 cubic inch Kelty external frame backpack weighing 90 ounces. (This Kelty was my previous pack, and had more trips on it than I can count.) Don't take along a chair, since sitting on a log works fine. (This saved me 10 ounces.)
Then, add in optional equipment that gives you bang per buck. Surprise your partner with half of an Orange in the middle of the trip. Don't take 2 oranges for each day. A good pair of binoculars work surprisingly well as a small telescope, and are about half the size and half the magnification of what Galileo used.
On your trip, analyze what you have brought. Is it used? Does it do the job? Is there a lighter weight alternative?
Generally, 20 pounds of non-food weight in your backpack is considered to be the top end of lightweight packing, although some folks like to go down as far as 10 pounds (which is called ultralight backpacking). As for me, I will keep my mosquito proof tent, hot food and small telescope.

Sleeping stuff

This consists of a tent, sleeping bag and mat.

Tent. I have an REI Quarter Dome UL, which weighs in about 4 pounds 4 ounces total.
Sleeping bag. I like two options here - a Western Mountaineering Ultralight, and a Marmot Hydrogen. The Ultralight was chosen to get a little bit more warmth and more space for clothes if it gets REALLY cold.
Sleeping mat. I am still working on this area. I am going away from Thermarests, since they always seem to leak at the wrong time, and are too slippery.

Packing gear

Backpack. The MountainSmith is a dream pack for me. It has enough space, if I am careful. It is also light weight and comfortable. I believe that comfort is dependent on how well you set this one up. Have the professionals do it at a good mountaineering store. Make the top into a fanny pack or shoulder pack, if that is more comfortable. Plenty of space for a water bottle, lunch and flashlight.

Clothes stuff

I am leaning towards taking fewer clothes, and taking freezer bags. Fill the freezer bags with water, put in clothes and soap, shake for a few minutes, and the hang clothes out to dry. Also, you can always put the clothes on the top of your pack then next day. Rain gear - take the simplest possible. Snaps, layers and zippers add weight.

Cooking stuff

This setup won't work in the winter, since propane won't work when cold. Maybe put aluminum foil around the system, and put it on a computer mouse pad in the winter? I will go to a Titanium pan when I can find a 2 quart one. Water bottles from 7-11 or Wal-Mart are cheap, reliable enough and light weight.

Miscellaneous stuff

I have tried using a photon micro light as my source of light, and do not find it to be enough. It is hard to cook, and difficult to play chess. Two AA batteries, with an LED type flashlight, should last a whole trip. Take a backup anyway, or depend on your buddies flashlight as your backup.
Garbage bags make the most amazing backpack covers. Line the inside of the pack with one, and it becomes impervious to rain. Cover the outside of one, and it is safe from weather for the night. (But this won't protect your pack from critters!)
Bear food bag system that is fantastic - the PCT system. Bear Bag Hanging Techniques: The PCT Method
I don't like using a hydration system. I find I like to drink a lot at breakfast, pay attention to what I drink on the trail and at lunch, and then drink a lot at dinner. This way, I am generally packing less weight through the day, and can still pay attention to drinking enough. My buddy wouldn't be caught dead without his hydration system - it works for him, keeping him hydrated. Use what works for you. (He rehydrates, I drink water. :-)

First aid stuff

You may want to supplement these items with a basic first aid class.
You may also want to find a high school gym coach, and have them show you how to tape up twisted ankles. You may be VERY glad that you did.
I find that if I take 2 ibuprophen, along with 2 benadryl at bed time, I sleep much better.

Optional stuff

Light weight camera. AA batteries. We want all of our power equipment to use the same batteries. That way, after the camera is done with the batteries, we can use them in the flashlight.
Binoculars. As I mentioned above, a good pair of binoculars are close to what Galileo used to discover the moons of Jupiter. Go to a star party with your local astronomy club, have someone point out 10 items of interest for binoculars, and take the sky charts with you.

Item	Brand	Type	Item weight - ounces	quantity	Total weight pounds	Comments
Sleeping stuff
Tent	REI Quarterdome.	Group	68	1	2.13	I carry half.
Sleeping bag	Western Mountaineering Ultralight	Personal	28	1	1.75	Fabulous, warm bag. If you couldn't unzip the feet, you would die of heat inside this bag.
Sleeping bag liner	Silk Liner	Personal	5	1	0.31	I never ever want to wash the sleeping bag
Sleeping mat	Thermarest Z-lite 3/4	Personal	9	1	0.56	Won't go flat. I am tired of thermarests going flat. If it needs more thickness, use an additional closed cell foam mat.
Total sleeping stuff					4.75

Packing gear
Backpack	Mountainsmith Auspex 4000 (~2002 model)	Personal	56	1	3.50	Most comfortable internal frame pack I have ever tried on. May need adjustment at the store.
Day pack	Strap used to make top of Auspex into day pack/shoulder pack	Personal	0	1	0.00	On older model, just buy additional snaps, and an extra runner strap. Then, make a fanny pack or shoulder pack from the backpack top.
Total packing gear					3.50

Clothes worn
Silk weight t-shirt	Unknown	Personal				Wash a shirt every other night.
Underwear	Generic	Personal				Wash underwear every night. Dry on top of pack next day.
Pants with zipper off legs	North face	Personal
Socks	Full size, generic, cheap, grey	Personal				Wash socks every night. Dry on top of pack next day.
Shoes	Any, good quality hiking shoe/running shoe	Personal				I have good ankles. Use what works.
Hat	Cool, full brim, crushable	Personal
No weight calculated for clothes worn

Clothes carried
Backup shoes	Tiva thongs	Personal	7	1	0.44	Backup for either a foot or shoe failure. Heaven to have in camp.
Socks	Full size, generic, cheap, grey	Personal	2	1	0.13	Wash socks every night. Dry on top of pack next day. Full size, to keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Underwear	Generic	Personal	2	1	0.13	Wash underwear every night. Dry on top of pack next day.
Silk weight t-shirt	Unknown	Personal	5	1	0.31	Wash a shirt every other night. Dry on top of pack next day.
Silk weight long sleeve shirt	Unknown	Personal	6	1	0.38
Thermal underwear top	Generic, unknown	Personal	8	1	0.50
Thermal underwear bottom	Generic, unknown	Personal	7	1	0.44
Puffball jacket	Patagonia	Personal	18	1	1.13	Still being studied. Not as warm as down, heavier than down, but more water/sweat resistant.
Gloves	fingerless wool AND thin blue	Personal	3	1	0.19
Full head hood	Generic	Personal	4	1	0.25
Rain pants	Generic	Personal	10	1	0.63	Optional, assuming you are willing to stop and get into the tent. Or, sit down and step into a garbage bag. However, these also add a lot of warmth at night before going to bed.
Rain coat	Patagonia, pull over, non-insolated	Personal	13	1	0.81	Works GREAT.
Total clothes carried					5.31

Cooking stuff
Stove	MSR Superfly	Group	6	1	0.19	I carry half.
Cartridges	8 oz of fuel - generic	Group	12	2	0.75	I carry half. This 24 oz will approach 8 when empty. Each canister lasted 4 days, 2 people. May need 3 canisters.
Pan	Evernew - 2 qt	Group	10	1	0.31	I carry half.
Fork/Spoon	REI, tough plastic	Personal	1	1	0.06
Metal cup	REI, Titanium	Personal	2	1	0.13
Water filter	Pur	Group	13	1	0.41	I carry half.
Water bottles	Walmart, ClearAmerican, 1Leter	Personal	1.5	2	0.19	Light, and indestructible.
Water bags	Platypus	Personal	1.5	2	0.19	For additional carrying capacity at night.
Lighters	Generic	Personal	1	3	0.19
Total cooking stuff					2.42

Miscellaneous Stuff
Pencil, Paper	Generic, 2 sheets, mechanical pencil	Personal	1	1	0.06	Used to write down all of the things that should have been taken or left at home.
Dark Glasses	Generic, wear	Personal	0	0	0.00
knife - swiss	1 blade, scissors	Personal	1	1	0.06
flashlight	Walmart, LED with colored lenses (Take Red only)	Personal	2	1	0.13	takes 2 AA batteries, not included here. Needed for playing chess at night, and astronomy.
flashlight backup	photon microlight	Personal	1	1	0.06	Just because! However, you can also consider your partner's flashlight as your backup.
batteries	AA, rechargeable	Personal	1	2	0.13	For the flash light
Comb	Generic, cut in half	Personal	0.5	1	0.03
Wash cloth	Generic	Personal	2	1	0.13	See Soap
Garbage bags	33 gallon, big ones	Personal	1	3	0.19	Use for backpack cover at night/ rain. Also, for dirty clothes.
Zip lock bags	Generic	Personal	0.5	4	0.13	Garbage bags, see-through storage bags, etc.
Storage nylon bags	Generic	Personal	1	4	0.25	Used to organize pack.
Soap	REI, 1/2 bottle	Group	2	1	0.06	I carry half. See wash cloth.
Green cleaning pad	Generic	Group	1	1	0.03	I carry half. For pans.
Thermometer	REI	Group	1	1	0.03	I carry half.
Toilet paper	1/4 roll	Personal	3	1	0.19	Have enough in case the food gets to you!
Bear rope, plastic carbineer	Generic	Group	2	1	0.06	I carry half. Bear bag for food storage.
Chess set	Travel, very small	Group	2	1	0.06	I carry half. For those rainy, wet, cold, dark nights.
Topo Map	Plastic, if possible.	Personal	1	1	0.06
Total miscellaneous stuff					1.66

First aid kit
Drug kit		Personal	1	1	0.06
Ibuprophen	2 each 4 hours (8 total) per day per person, minimum					Take 2 at bedtime, helps me sleep.
Tylenol	2 per day per person, minimum
Benadryl	2 per day per person, minimum					Take 2 at bedtime, helps me sleep.
Lip balm	Generic, screw top, won't melt	Personal	0.5	1	0.03	At 10,000 feet, this is mandatory.
Sun screen	1/2 bottle	Personal	2.0	1	0.13	See Lip Balm
Head net	Generic	Personal	1	1	0.06	Mosquito control device.
Bug juice	REI, 100% deet	Personal	1	1	0.06
Ankle tape	Walmart	Personal	2	1	0.13	Used for about everything.
Tooth brush	Generic, no handle	Personal	1	1	0.06
Dental floss	Generic, 9" per day	Personal	0	1	0.00
Needle	Generic	Personal	0	1	0.00
Mole skin	Walmart	Personal	2	1	0.13
Total first aid kit					0.66
Total non-perishables.					18.30	My personal goal is to keep this around 20 pounds, at the most.

Optional
Camera	Olympus D 560 (without batteries)	Personal	6	1	0.38	Light weight, water resistant, 2-AA batteries. Turn the view screen OFF, flash OFF, use the finder.
Binoculars	Cannon 10x30 IS (without batteries) (excellent, image stabilized.)	Group	22	1	0.69	I carry half. Basically, a small telescope on a tripod. The skies are beautiful in the mountains, don't waste them! 2-AA batteries. Eats batteries, but works OK with dead ones. HOWEVER - these binoculars are only taken during dark moon weeks.
Green laser	z-bolt, astronomy version	Group	3	1	0.09	I carry half. For showing friends the stars. Keep away from children, these are dangerous.
batteries	AA, rechargeable	Personal	1	4	0.25	Used for: 2 for the Camera, 2 for the stabilization system for the binoculars.
Total optional					1.41
Total weight, with options					19.71	Not bad, when including a very small telescope!

Lightweight Backpacking

Overview