Jimstrom and I are in the very early stages of planning a backpacking trip in Wyoming over 4th of July. Nothing for sure yet, but my initial thought is to fly into Denver on 7/1 and then back into Minneapolis on 7/10. Jim's already got a thought on where to go.
If anyone is interested in joining us, let us know!
Feb 11, 2011
Feb 5, 2011
Super Ultralight Backpacking
Here's a summary of the stories from 2008 highlighting my transformation from traditional (ie, HEAVY) backpacking to ultralight.
1st attempt
Sleep System
Shelter
Updated Sleep System
Celebration
Improvements in 2009
What's In My Pack
What's Not In My Pack
Essentials Bag
From 2010
Evolution of a Cook Set
If you were going to check out just one of those posts, I'd recommend the 1st one, as my starting point was really where most novice backpackers find themselves. Each post after that documents my attempt to get my base weight* down to 12 pounds. The Cook Set one is really good too.
*Base weight refers to the weight of items carried minus consumables such as food, water and fuel, since those items vary based on conditions and duration of the trip. The base weight stays the same regardless of how many days you are out. For example I bring the same number of extra t-shirts for a two day trip as I would for a two week trip (zero).
Base weight varies by season, this example is for a summer backpacking trip and items listed are exactly what I am going to have on me for both my four day backpacking trip at Haleakala National Park (HI) and my four day backpacking trip at Volcano National Park (HI). The high low temperature at Haleakala is 42/59 Fahrenheit and 50/67 Fahrenheit at Volcano National Park.
My goal is now 7.0 pounds.
SLEEP SYSTEM 31.41 oz (1.96 lbs)
SHELTER 26.50 oz (1.66 lbs)
BACKPACK 24.10 oz (1.51 lbs)
THE REST 16.1 oz (1.01 lbs)
TOTAL PACK WEIGHT 128.32 (8.02 lbs)
Looks like I have about a pound to trim, but I can live with 128.32 ounces.
BEING CARRIED 20.70 oz (1.29 lbs)
ITEMS BEING CARRIED ON ME 12.80 oz (.80 lbs)
TOTAL WEIGHT NOT IN MY BACKPACK 98.60 oz (6.16 lbs)
EVERYTHING 226.92 oz (14.18 lbs)
1st attempt
Sleep System
Shelter
Updated Sleep System
Celebration
Improvements in 2009
What's In My Pack
What's Not In My Pack
Essentials Bag
From 2010
Evolution of a Cook Set
If you were going to check out just one of those posts, I'd recommend the 1st one, as my starting point was really where most novice backpackers find themselves. Each post after that documents my attempt to get my base weight* down to 12 pounds. The Cook Set one is really good too.
*Base weight refers to the weight of items carried minus consumables such as food, water and fuel, since those items vary based on conditions and duration of the trip. The base weight stays the same regardless of how many days you are out. For example I bring the same number of extra t-shirts for a two day trip as I would for a two week trip (zero).
Base weight varies by season, this example is for a summer backpacking trip and items listed are exactly what I am going to have on me for both my four day backpacking trip at Haleakala National Park (HI) and my four day backpacking trip at Volcano National Park (HI). The high low temperature at Haleakala is 42/59 Fahrenheit and 50/67 Fahrenheit at Volcano National Park.
My goal is now 7.0 pounds.
SLEEP SYSTEM 31.41 oz (1.96 lbs)
- Western Mountaineering SummerLite Sleeping Bag 19.31 oz
- Thermarest Z-Lite 10.00 oz
- Outdoor Research Waterproof Sack for sleeping bag 2.10 oz
SHELTER 26.50 oz (1.66 lbs)
- Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 Tent & Rain fly (SB will be carrying poles and stakes at 12.9 oz) 26.50 oz
BACKPACK 24.10 oz (1.51 lbs)
- Ultralight Adventure Equipment Ohm Backpack 24.10 oz
SPARE CLOTHING 18.31 oz (1.14 lbs)
- DriDucks Rain Gear (shirt & pants) 9.70 oz
- Patagonia Down Shirt 5.61 oz
- ExFficio Boxer Briefs 2.80 oz
- Sea to Summit Small Stuff Sack 0.80 oz
- WrightSock (2 pairs) 0.20 oz
HYDRATION 6.30 oz (.39 lbs)
- 3 liter Platypus Reservoir 3.50 oz
- Aquamira Water Treatment Drops 2.00 oz
- 1/2 liter Platypus Water Bottle 0.80 oz
COOK SYSTEM 5.60 oz (.35 lbs)
- Heine Pot 1.90 oz
- Lighter 0.80 oz
- Wind Guard (tin foil) 0.70 oz
- Pot Lid/Measuring Cup 0.60 oz
- Travel Size Listerine Bottle (for fuel) 0.60 oz
- REI folding titanium spork 0.50 oz
- Homemade alcohol stove 0.40 oz
- Clip (to help with cooking) 0.10 oz
THE REST 16.1 oz (1.01 lbs)
- Sea To Summit iPood Trowl 3.50 oz
- Sunscreen 2.50 oz
- First Aid Kit 2.30 oz
- Black Diamond Ion Headlamp 1.00 oz
- Sea to Summit Small Stuff Sack 0.80 oz
- Spare Camera Battery 0.80 oz
- Hand Sanitizer Bottle 0.70 oz
- N-rit towel 0.70 oz
- Whistle 0.50 oz
- Sea to Summit Pocket Body Wash 0.50 oz
- Ziplock Bags (3) 0.40 oz
- Aveda Lipsaver 0.40 oz
- Small Compass 0.20 oz
- Toothbrush 0.50 oz
- Matches 0.30 oz
- Spare Ion Battery 0.30 oz
- Floss & Sewing Needle 0.20 oz
- Weather proof matches 0.20 oz
- Backup Water Tablets (6) 0.10 oz
- Emergency Fire Starters 0.10 oz
- 50' Aircore Cord 0.10 oz
TOTAL PACK WEIGHT 128.32 (8.02 lbs)
Looks like I have about a pound to trim, but I can live with 128.32 ounces.
Just for fun, let's take a look at the items that I'll have that aren't in my pack.
HIKING CLOTHES 65.10 oz (4.07 lbs)
- Merrell Hiking Shoes 37.00 oz
- REI Zipoff Pants 13.3 oz
- Outdoor Research Gore-tex Hat 3.30 oz
- REI Wicking T-Shirt 6.7 oz
- Exfficio Boxer Briefs 2.80 oz
- Bandanna 1.00 oz
- Sunglasses 0.80 oz
- WrightSock 0.20 oz
BEING CARRIED 20.70 oz (1.29 lbs)
- Black Diamond Trekking Poles (with tape wrapped around them) 19.10 oz
- Tripod (incorporated with poles) 1.60 oz
ITEMS BEING CARRIED ON ME 12.80 oz (.80 lbs)
- Canon PowerShot SX210 IS 7.60 oz
- Leatherman Squirt Ps4 2.30 oz
- Osprey Camera Bag 1.60
- Stopwatch 1.30 oz
TOTAL WEIGHT NOT IN MY BACKPACK 98.60 oz (6.16 lbs)
EVERYTHING 226.92 oz (14.18 lbs)
Jan 26, 2011
Backpacking Continuum
Where do you fall on the continuum? If all goes to plan I'll be joining the Super Ultralight Club sometime in the coming weeks. Who's coming with me?
Jan 25, 2011
Jan 22, 2011
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park '011!
Here's the details on the wilderness adventure Brenda and I will be taking on the Big Island in March.
After arriving on the Big Island, we'll head over to the small volcano community known as...Volcano. We're going to spend a little time at a day spa before heading out in the afternoon to hike portions of the Crater Rim Trail. It'll be a pretty leisurely hike, mainly to check out the volcano and to acclimate a little to the altitude to prepare us for what's coming next. From there we'll make the short drive back to our resort in Volcano.
The next day is the day that I'm most excited about of our entire 15 day adventure. We'll be getting up around 4am to drive out to the Mauna Loa Observatory. We should arrive at the Observatory right around day break. From there we'll start the six mile trip to the summit of the world's largest volcano!
You can read more about the summit hike on the Internets, but sufficed to say, it will be the most intense hiking experience I've ever been on. I'll even need to pull the big bulky hiking boots out of retirement!
The whole trip there and back takes about nine hours and covers a distance of 12.6 miles. The summit is at 13,676 feet, over 1,000 feet higher than the last mountain I summited.
After descending from our successful summit bid we'll drive back into Volcano for some drinks, a huge dinner and some much needed sleep.
The next morning we'll head to the southern end of the park for a two night, three day, much less intense coastal backpacking trip on the Hilina and Ka'aha trails. Based on the pictures I've seen and descriptions I've read of Halape and Keauhou campsites, I have no doubt that they'll be the two most beautiful places I've ever put up my tent.
After arriving on the Big Island, we'll head over to the small volcano community known as...Volcano. We're going to spend a little time at a day spa before heading out in the afternoon to hike portions of the Crater Rim Trail. It'll be a pretty leisurely hike, mainly to check out the volcano and to acclimate a little to the altitude to prepare us for what's coming next. From there we'll make the short drive back to our resort in Volcano.
The next day is the day that I'm most excited about of our entire 15 day adventure. We'll be getting up around 4am to drive out to the Mauna Loa Observatory. We should arrive at the Observatory right around day break. From there we'll start the six mile trip to the summit of the world's largest volcano!
You can read more about the summit hike on the Internets, but sufficed to say, it will be the most intense hiking experience I've ever been on. I'll even need to pull the big bulky hiking boots out of retirement!
The whole trip there and back takes about nine hours and covers a distance of 12.6 miles. The summit is at 13,676 feet, over 1,000 feet higher than the last mountain I summited.
After descending from our successful summit bid we'll drive back into Volcano for some drinks, a huge dinner and some much needed sleep.
The next morning we'll head to the southern end of the park for a two night, three day, much less intense coastal backpacking trip on the Hilina and Ka'aha trails. Based on the pictures I've seen and descriptions I've read of Halape and Keauhou campsites, I have no doubt that they'll be the two most beautiful places I've ever put up my tent.
The week before this we'll be backpacking at Haleakala National Park in Maui. I'll post the details of that expedition at a later time.
Jan 5, 2011
Website
Looks like I've got some updating to do on the website. Are there any new cool features that you would like to see?
Also, looking to change up the bio page a bit. I'm thinking maybe to get a little more in depth with each member, maybe a question and answer with everyone? Any thoughts?
I'm going to make the trip history go away unless someone else wants to maintain it. It's just too much for me to remember to update it it after someone goes on a trip and I'm not always sure when someone is out. I think I'll replace it with just a list of places that we go expeditioning.
Feedback is always welcome.
Also, looking to change up the bio page a bit. I'm thinking maybe to get a little more in depth with each member, maybe a question and answer with everyone? Any thoughts?
I'm going to make the trip history go away unless someone else wants to maintain it. It's just too much for me to remember to update it it after someone goes on a trip and I'm not always sure when someone is out. I think I'll replace it with just a list of places that we go expeditioning.
Feedback is always welcome.
Jan 4, 2011
BWCAW Winter Expedition 2011
Ryan and I have chosen a date for our annual BWCAW winter expedition. We will be leaving the evening of Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. Hiking Friday, Feb. 18 - Monday, Feb. 21, then driving back home after the morning hike on Monday. Not sure where exactly we will end up, but the Ely area was mentioned.
Anyone interested?
Anyone interested?
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