Gear and Weight
"During a canoe cruise across the Northern Wilderness in the late summer, I met many parties at different points in the woods, and the amount of unnecessary duffle with which they encumbered themselves was simply appalling. Why a shrewd business man, who goes through with a guide and makes a forest hotel his camping ground nearly every night, should handicap himself with a five-peck pack basket full of gray woolen and gum blankets, extra clothing, pots, pans, and kettles, with a 9-pound 10-bore, and two rods—yes, and an extra pair of heavy boots hanging astride of the gun—well, it is one of the things I shall never understand. My own load, including canoe, extra clothing, blanket-bag, two days' rations, pocket-axe, rod and knapsack, never exceeded 26 pounds; and I went prepared to camp out any and every night."
WOODCRAFT AND CAMPING by "Nessmuk" "Grandma Gatewood hiked the Appalachian Trail in 1955 at the age of 67, wearing Keds sneakers and carrying an army blanket, a raincoat, and a plastic shower curtain which she carried in a homemade bag slung over one shoulder, thus making her a pioneer of Ultralight backpacking.
She hiked it again in 1960 and then again at age 75 in 1963, making her the first person to hike the trail three times (though her final hike was completed in sections). In addition, she walked 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri, to Portland, Oregon, averaging 22 miles (35 km) a day. She traveled to every state of the continental United States.In 1970, at age 83, while visiting Appalachian Outfitters in Oakton, Virginia she was asked what she thought about the latest lightweight backpacking gear. Emma advised: "Make a rain cape, and an over the shoulder sling bag, and buy a sturdy pair of Keds tennis shoes. Stop at local groceries and pick up Vienna sausages... most everything else to eat you can find beside the trail... and by the way those wild onions are not called "Ramps"... they are "Rampians" ... a ramp is an inclined plane." -wiki "What made accomplishments even more interesting is that she never carried more than 20 lbs of gear and food during her hikes. In fact, she had complete contempt for traditional backpacking gear. Instead of boots, she wore Keds sneakers. Instead of an expensive parka, she wore a rain cape which she also used as a ground cloth. Instead of a heavy tent, she carried a plastic shower curtain for shelter. Instead of a sleeping bag, she used an army blanket. The only remaining items she carried were a sweater, jacket, flashlight, Swiss Army knife, a small pot, first-aid supplies, safety pins, needle and thread, soap, and a towel. In fact, she didn't even use a backpack at all, but just carried a homemade demin sack over one shoulder." source KennethKramm:
"It's interesting that John Gould wrote in 1877, that if you want to enjoy hiking and camping, don't carry more than 20 pounds. He said that young men can carry more, but they won't enjoy the journey after a week or so walking. On extra pair of socks and extra shirt is all you need. In those days, wearing under ware was optional. The ground cloth/rubber blanket could serve as a raincoat and the wool blanket, a jacket. Thanks for watching, Ken" " Ultralight backpacking is a style of backpacking that emphasizes carrying the lightest and simplest kit safely possible for a given trip.[1] Base pack weight (the weight of a backpack plus the gear inside, excluding consumables such as food, water, and fuel, which vary depending on the duration and style of trip) is reduced as much as safely possible, though reduction of the weight of consumables is also applied.
The terms light and ultralight commonly refer to base pack weights below 20 pounds (9.1 kg) and 10 pounds (4.5 kg) respectively. Traditional backpacking often results in base pack weights above 30 pounds (14 kg), and sometimes up to 60 pounds (27 kg) or more. Enthusiasts of ultralight backpacking sometimes attempt super-ultralight backpacking (SUL) in which the base pack weight is below 5 pounds (2.3 kg) and extreme-ultralight backpacking (XUL) in which the base pack weight is below 3 pounds (1.4 kg)." -wiki |
"I think there is a big diff between backpacking a trail, packing to a site, a scout, and a journey. Hence all different weights, In the latter, a journey I am looking for a pack horse, a mule, a lama or camel, or a 4x4 or even yes a car, truck or jeep. To pack in a site I like a two wheel garden wagon? Why not? or a big pack like Daves here if it only a few clicks, set camp and scout around. BUT backpacking (or biking) I am counting every gram. Just my 2 cents" - Vx777
Earl Shaffer's Advice for Long Distance Hikers
on the Appalachian Trail, circa 1950 Good planning, a sturdy physique, exceptional determination, and ingenious adaptability are essential on a long and strenuous foot journey. Most attempts to travel end to end on the Appalachian Trail fail within two hundred miles. Above all, do not underestimate the difficulties involved or overestimate your own capabilities. Both good luck and good management are necessary. Preliminary experience on shorter trips is very helpful.The weight and bulk of the packload should be kept to a minimum, yet the necessary equipment must be carried. The pack should be rigged low so the weight rests mostly on the hips and is kept as near the body as possible, to reduce the backwards pull. Food supplies should be as free of cans as possible to reduce weight, yet maximum nourishment is absolutely essential. There should be no exact day-by-day schedule set in advance. Conditions of weather and terrain prevent this. But a steady pace, if persistently followed, will result in a good daily average. Don't expect a picnic stroll. Mountain hiking is hard work. EQUIPMENT: total weight approximately twenty pounds.
FOOTGEAR: Moccasin-type leather boots with nine-inch tops (protect ankles from sprain, bruise, snakebite). Avoid low shoes, sneakers, knee high tops, rubber footgear. Use lots of foot powder. AVOID: tent, bulky sleeping bag, cans and jars, air mattress, large sheath knife, large axe, bulky jacket or overcoat, conventional raincoat, firearms. |