HighlanderNorth
Flashlight Enthusiast
I was just reading a definition of the difference between the 3 categories of hiking/backpacking: 1.Traditional, 2. lightweight, 3. ultralightweight. They said that technically a lightweight pack weighs under 20lbs, while an ultralight pack weighs under 10lbs. A traditional pack can weigh 30-60lbs.
Back in 2007, I was invited on a backpacking trip for 3 days/2 nights down the Appalachian trail in Shenandoah natl park, along Skyline Drive. But the trip was to happen in early February. I have no problem with winter camping or backpacking. I've easily done just as much camping out in winter than in summer. So I quickly said "Yes"!
Problem was, I no longer owned any good quality, new-ish backpacking stuff that was newer than 15 years old! Not only that, but what stuff I did still have was average at best(and old). I was not outfitted for a long winter backpacking trip through the mountains. I know all about the ultralight, single person tents that weight 2lbs, and have so little room that you MUST lay down in them at all times. I dont like the idea of that unless I am backpacking alone....,.No, I dont like it even then!
I have always owned 2 person tents that were roomy enough for 2 people to comfortably sit up, stretch out, and still have room for your boots inside at your feet, and still be able to bring in your jacket and clothes so they arent all cold the next morning! So I looked for a lightweight 2 person tent that weighs no more than about 5- 5.3 lbs, which is pretty light for that size tent, especially a well built, durable tent with a fly and footprint. I bought a Marmot tent. I bought the ultralight Osprey Atmos 50 pack. I bought a light, mid priced sleeping bag good to 30 degrees F. Then we found out just before the trip a major cold front was coming through, and we were stuck with 2 nights with temps down to 6-8 degrees F, and daily highs of around 22 degrees. My sleeping bag wasnt good enough, so I borrowed a terrible Slumberjack bag that was allegedly good to 10 degrees, and was cold all night! It weighed about 8 lbs! I usually can handle a bag thats 5-10 degrees above the outside temp because I like it cool, but this wasnt good. Later I bought a Marmot Helium down bag that weighs 2 lbs, good to at least 15 degrees.
Long story short, I took way too much stuff with me in 2007, and my pack weighed about 32lbs, and I didnt use much of the stuff the entire time, so the next year I brought less on 2008's winter trip(also February) to the AT in Pa. This time I still brought lots of stuff like my Katadyn Guide filter, MSR Simmerlite stove, lots of light backpacking clothes, etc., but my pack was still around 22-24lbs full. Granted it was winter and you MUST bring more, thicker clothes, jackets, socks, insulated boots, plus 3 days of food, etc. Water, water filter, stove, mess kit, plate, bowl, cup, tent, sleeping bag, Nalgene bottles etc. plus the weight of the pack itself.
There's often this wealthy guy who goes with us who sold a software firm he started in about 2004, at 29 years old for 12 million dollars! He always has new, high tech ultralight gear of the finest quality, yet his pack weighed 15lbs on both trips, so I dont see how you can safely pack for winter and bring less than 10lbs for a 3 day trip without starving, freezing, going without water, or just being uncomfortable! In summer I could easily get my pack down to 17 lbs or so for a 3 days trip, by not bringing my entire tent, only the footprint and fly. Or just the tent without the fly or footprint, which is all mesh except for the floor and parts of the ceiling, etc.
How can a person possibly pack less than 10lbs in mid winter? What do you consider to be reasonable weight for backpacking in colder weather? Warmer weather?
Back in 2007, I was invited on a backpacking trip for 3 days/2 nights down the Appalachian trail in Shenandoah natl park, along Skyline Drive. But the trip was to happen in early February. I have no problem with winter camping or backpacking. I've easily done just as much camping out in winter than in summer. So I quickly said "Yes"!
Problem was, I no longer owned any good quality, new-ish backpacking stuff that was newer than 15 years old! Not only that, but what stuff I did still have was average at best(and old). I was not outfitted for a long winter backpacking trip through the mountains. I know all about the ultralight, single person tents that weight 2lbs, and have so little room that you MUST lay down in them at all times. I dont like the idea of that unless I am backpacking alone....,.No, I dont like it even then!
I have always owned 2 person tents that were roomy enough for 2 people to comfortably sit up, stretch out, and still have room for your boots inside at your feet, and still be able to bring in your jacket and clothes so they arent all cold the next morning! So I looked for a lightweight 2 person tent that weighs no more than about 5- 5.3 lbs, which is pretty light for that size tent, especially a well built, durable tent with a fly and footprint. I bought a Marmot tent. I bought the ultralight Osprey Atmos 50 pack. I bought a light, mid priced sleeping bag good to 30 degrees F. Then we found out just before the trip a major cold front was coming through, and we were stuck with 2 nights with temps down to 6-8 degrees F, and daily highs of around 22 degrees. My sleeping bag wasnt good enough, so I borrowed a terrible Slumberjack bag that was allegedly good to 10 degrees, and was cold all night! It weighed about 8 lbs! I usually can handle a bag thats 5-10 degrees above the outside temp because I like it cool, but this wasnt good. Later I bought a Marmot Helium down bag that weighs 2 lbs, good to at least 15 degrees.
Long story short, I took way too much stuff with me in 2007, and my pack weighed about 32lbs, and I didnt use much of the stuff the entire time, so the next year I brought less on 2008's winter trip(also February) to the AT in Pa. This time I still brought lots of stuff like my Katadyn Guide filter, MSR Simmerlite stove, lots of light backpacking clothes, etc., but my pack was still around 22-24lbs full. Granted it was winter and you MUST bring more, thicker clothes, jackets, socks, insulated boots, plus 3 days of food, etc. Water, water filter, stove, mess kit, plate, bowl, cup, tent, sleeping bag, Nalgene bottles etc. plus the weight of the pack itself.
There's often this wealthy guy who goes with us who sold a software firm he started in about 2004, at 29 years old for 12 million dollars! He always has new, high tech ultralight gear of the finest quality, yet his pack weighed 15lbs on both trips, so I dont see how you can safely pack for winter and bring less than 10lbs for a 3 day trip without starving, freezing, going without water, or just being uncomfortable! In summer I could easily get my pack down to 17 lbs or so for a 3 days trip, by not bringing my entire tent, only the footprint and fly. Or just the tent without the fly or footprint, which is all mesh except for the floor and parts of the ceiling, etc.
How can a person possibly pack less than 10lbs in mid winter? What do you consider to be reasonable weight for backpacking in colder weather? Warmer weather?