Like many of those navigating the world of ultralight backpacking I find inspiration looking at those who push the limits. John Zahorian and Lint are two individuals who undoubtedly push the limits and were early inspirations of mine. For those who don’t know, John and Lint carry six pound packs and walk more than thirty miles a day. They are highly efficient hiking machines. These days their style has become a kind of fad on the long distance trails in the United States, but I feel for a good reason–it works. Of course this approach is not for everyone. You may be scoffing right now thinking that carrying anything less than a thirty or forty pound pack with a “just in case” methodology into the backcountry is unsafe or even reckless, but I feel we all could learn something from those who carry only what they need.
With the emergence of fabrics like Dyneema Composite Fabric (formally known as Cuben Fiber) and more efficient gear designs anyone can outfit themselves with an ultralight kit and be very comfortable. Gone are the days of huffing a five pound “backpacking” tent in a six pound pack. My approach and the approach I will focus on here is that of a thru-hiker. Though I have yet to complete a thru-hike of a long trail, I find the philosophy and approach very liberating. If you can be just as comfortable with ten pounds of gear as you are with a twenty then why not? Why carry things you will never use? Why invite unneeded stress on your body and mind? These are the questions that started me on my ultralight journey.
Unlike most, I’ve never experienced the crushing pain of a fifty or sixty pound pack. For some perspective let’s journey back to my childhood. Growing up in rural Indiana I spent a lot of time in the woods on my family’s property. I learned traditional skills like hunting, fishing, and foraging for edible mushrooms. My cousin and I would practice bushcraft skills building shelters, animal traps, flint knapping, and starting fires without a lighter. Despite not being Leave No Trace compliant, I feel it was influential to my approach to backpacking. I had camped using just a poncho and slept in a shelter I had made from sticks and leaves, so the jump to only using a tarp or minimal shelter was not a large one. It was actually quite the upgrade: they didn’t leak. Learning about bushcraft and survival skills was cool to the 12-year-old me and was something to occupy my time when the nearest town was miles away and money was in short supply. It also helped steer me to a path that was one of minimalism in the outdoors.
As of fall 2017 I sit in a middle ground with a 8.5lb. base weight and a goal of improved efficiency. When you objectively examine ultralight gear you find that it isn’t so removed from traditional backpacking gear. This theme will be one I return to as I continue to create content for this site. I’m excited to share my triumphs and failures here on Trail Junky in hopes to help others elevate their outdoor experience while lessening their impact on the beautiful places we love to visit.
Cheers!
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