My plea for the ultralight
You don't know me, but I'll have you know that I'm a committed tent camper! In my next post, I'm going to give you my 5 arguments for abandoning your trailer to the profile of a tent. But first, let me tell you about ultralight!
Before I begin, I must tell you that the freedom that minimalism brings me makes me live such beautiful adventures. I'll never regret having pushed the envelope on weight and quality. I've made each of my purchases with care, with a view to opening doors for myself.
"I love wilderness camping, but do I really need to be ultralight? "you 'd say to me.
To that, I want to say: " You don't know it yet, but yes! "
1) Camping in the backcountry
The backcountry is a world apart. It has nothing to do with developed campsites. It's untouched nature, the feeling of being alone, an adventure that fills the child in you with wonder. The backcountry is rarely accessible by car. Unorganized territories where it is permitted AND eco-friendly to camp require a lot of research and often an adapted vehicle. Backpack, your boots will take you to the most beautiful places, you won't believe your eyes! You won't believe your eyes!
2) Discovering new forms of tourism
Have you chosen the lightest floor mattress, a warm, compressible sleeping bag? Have you decided on a filtration system that fits in your hand and your little cooking system is ready? Did you find a good new sleeping bag on Marketplace? You've put all your gear in it and your legs are antsy?
Congratulations! Congratulations! You are now ultralight! There's the long hike and more...
You dream of going canoe camping, but you'd have to do 3 stock trips in a canoe and it's not your definition of relaxing? You would like to go for a bike ride around Lac St-Jean, but you don't want to drag a trailer? You want to camp in the beautiful Banff National Park, but you don't have 4 weeks to do a roadtrip? Winter is coming and you'd like to see yourself by the fire in a hut at the top?
Hop in the canoe or on the luggage rack of your bike, save it in the hold or climb up to your dream view! You're free, my friend.
3) Owning high-performance gears
When you choose to equip yourself with an ultralight, you're buying good quality technical equipment, because it comes a little bit along with the lightness. If the tent needs a little more TLC, the rest of the gears are durable and often guaranteed. You immediately bought equipment that will give you satisfaction and performance. And all this even if you found it on Marketplace, because it will keep its resale value. So start right away at the end of the season, because there are plenty of good deals waiting for you!
4) Leave no trace
RV camping leaves a trace of your passage. When you leave with your electric cooler, your two-round stove and your kit melted, you make more garbage and residue. You have a more imposing presence, of course.
It's really easier to leave no trace while camping when you're in ultralight mode. If you're crafty, you won't have so much food residue, you'll drink every drop of your water, you'll find a small area without vegetation where you can set up your tiny camp and you'll walk along the trail that's already shaped.
Even if it is not effortless, it is easier to respect nature and leave it as you found it when you arrived when you are ultralight. The immersive contact with nature will make you appreciate it more. You will want to adapt to it, not to yourself. And it's a win-win, we already know that!
5) Upgrade your hiking game
If you're like me and the treats aren't enough for a hike, get a plan. I'm one of those people who buy themselves some work. So, I always have my little cooking system (you can get it for less than 50$) to make me a soup, a tea or a potato chowder at the summit. For me it's turning a simple hike into an adventure.
When I crossed South America, I was fascinated by the Argentines and their mate, which they ceremoniously prepared during a decreed and irrevocable break. If at the beginning the band was destabilized by this impromptu time out, we soon joined them and found it justified. For me, in view of my personal needs, a summit deserves more time than a selfie, and the same goes for the meetings we can have! Of course, there are no right or wrong ways to hike.
FOR diversity in hiking! Peace y'all!
Remember that ultralight equipment is a dynamic process in which everyone evolves and gets to know each other.
P.s: I suggest you go read the 8 tips for ultralight equipment to learn a little more.
Your adventures are yours!
Angélie Thouin
Rough terrain backpacker