The Ultralight Philosophy: UL
" I have to buy the best tent, backpack and sleeping bag on the market and spend 3 000$ to reduce the weight of my backpack!" 🙂
The answer is NO. This is the worst mistake you can make. Let's go back and look at where ultralight comes from and how to get there one step at a time.
A little history:
The philosophy emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. The ultralight was developed through the mountains by long-distance hikers such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divided trailin the GR in Europe and adventurers & explorers.
This philosophy has developed through time and the quest to reduce the weight of one's backpack to a minimum for expeditions or long hikes 🙂
Some enthusiasts started to take a sewing machine and try to create new products by themselves. They also tried out new materials that were not available in the hiking equipment on offer.
This desire to create and reduce the weight of one's backpack has developed the ultralight philosophy within the community.
The ultralight philosophy: UL
The ultralight philosophy is aboutoptimising the weight of your backpack in a smart and versatile way without compromising your safety. This notion puts the emphasis on carrying the minimum amount of gear with the least amount of weight while maximizing the versatility of your gear 🙂
To do this, you need to understand your decision matrix to reduce the weight of your backpack. It is unique to each person. You can prioritise what is important to you and compare your decisions with the material.
The following is a non-exhaustive list:
- The type of hiker you are
- The type of hiking you do
- Your needs and constraints
- The Weight
- Your budget
- Sustainability
- Functionality and versatility
- The materials of your equipment
- Multi-purpose item
- Security
- Comfort
- ETC
This philosophy comes through years of experience, mistakes and knowledge sharing through the hiking community.
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It should be noted that there are a multitude of branches and sub-philosophies within ultralight. On one side we have the people who start ultralight and on the other side the adventurer and explorer who goes on never-before-seen expeditions. Within this spectrum of hikers, there are different philosophies that are interwoven under the philosophy of ultralight.
How to get there:
It is through experience and mistakes that you can reduce the weight of your backpack. You have to go step by step and strategically in order to get there safely 🙂
Step 1: Calculate the weight of your equipment
The first step is to calculate the weight of all your items in your backpack. Take your kitchen scale (or your neighbour's scale) and get an Excel spreadsheet or a sheet of paper. Calculate the weight of each item and determine how much it weighs in your backpack. Ratio (weight of the item / total weight).
It is through experience and mistakes that you can reduce the weight of your backpack. You have to go step by step and strategically to get there safely.
This will make you aware of what you are carrying in your backpack. You will start to think about what each item is for when you are on the mountain.
Step 2: Take notes of your outdoor activities
Take some time to think about what has been useful and what has not during your hikes and outdoor activities. This will help you to think about the usefulness of each item in your backpack.
Step 3: Remove unnecessary items and aim for versatility
Remove unnecessary items from your backpack without compromising your safety. You can also reduce the weight of some of your items (example: is it necessary to take a whole tube of toothpaste? Is it necessary to take your deodorant?) Use items with multiple uses (e.g. use a storage bag or a waterproof bag filled with clothing to make a pillow).
Step 4: Think and Rethink your strategy
Repeat the same exercise each time you hike and keep thinking about how to optimise your weight. You can ask experienced hikers or refer to specialist blogs.
Facebook groups can be a source of information and sharing. Be careful not to apply all the advice. You can find everything on Facebook ... You have to validate the information!
Step 5: Replace the least expensive equipment
Replace the least expensive items in your backpack.
Step 6: Replace the Big Three
The Big Three includes the tent, sleeping bag and backpack. These three items take up the most weight and volume in your backpack. They are also the three most expensive items to buy.
Marketplace, Kijiji or dedicated Facebook groups are a good way to get lighter equipment at a reduced cost. Check that the quality of the item you buy is adequate for your outdoor activities. This is often a good way to get started with ultralight gear without breaking the bank and regretting a purchase.
When you have more experience, you can look at making a purchase. Your experience and mistakes will help you determine what is right for you according to your own decision matrix.
These items are expensive to buy and it is recommended that you try them out. You can ask a friend to try out their tent or backpack over a weekend.
Also read: 8 tips for ultralight hiking.
CONCLUSION
Ultralight is a philosophy, not a thoughtless expenditure of money. This is a conflation that is very often made. It is a process that takes time and it is important to understand your decision matrix 🙂
You need to go step by step, experience the terrain, test and discuss with experienced hikers. Each hiker is different according to his or her physical condition, mental state, needs and constraints, type of hiking, etc.
It is your experience and mistakes that will take you into the ultralight world 🙂
Mathieu Jourjon
Founder of Mount Trail
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