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5 Tips For Lightweight Backpacking Freaks |
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Written by The Gear Sage
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Tuesday, 19 January 2010 |
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.jpg "Lightweight Hiker")
It's well known fact that the super lightweight backpacking tribe get bigger kicks from cutting handles off toothbrushes in garden sheds than they do from hiking in the hills. In their frenzied, fetish like quest to reduce the weight carried on their backs these guys (they're always guys, bearded guys) will go to extreme lengths to shave off a photon here and a proton there.
So, other than growing a mass of facial hair, just how do you join the lightweight clan? Here's Adventure Travel's top five weight saving tips to get you on the inside track to the nearest garden shed...
Blacken Your PotsA black stained cooking pot retains heat far better than a bright shiny one plus heat is dispersed around the pot more efficiently. A can of black barbecue grill paint will do nicely – the key is, you need heat resistant paint. With a heat efficient blackened pot you can save on the amount of fuel you carry and reduce weight accordingly.
When cooking always do so with the lid firmly in place to speed up heating time and while you're at it leave the pan scourer at home and use sand, grit and moss to clean up after a meal. Better still, pack food that doesn't need cooking and leave the whole bloody lot at home.
PowerageLithium AA batteries are about half the weight of AA Alkaline batteries and last up to three times longer. But it's hardly worth the saving on batteries if you hump along a heavy torch, go for something like the Petzl Micro Headlamp.
TitaniumIf it's made of metal then someone, somewhere will have made a Titanium version which will cut down the weight of the kit you carry plus it'll empty your wallet and bank account. Cooking pots and pans, cups, tent pegs, stoves and rucksack staves are all available in lightweight Titanium.
Duct TapeIs there anything Duct Tape can't be used for? Pack a short length and you can leave the following at home; blister plasters; bandages; plasters. Plus, it'll come in handy for on trail repairs to tents, boots, backpacks and just about anything else you're carrying, even your specs and sunglasses.
The Final CutNeurotic backpackers with weight phobias will undoubtedly have already done all that follows but for the uninitiated take your knife to the following; excessive shoe lace length; manufacturers labels on gear and clothing; any excessive webbing on your backpack (or remove it completely); cut off the parts of maps and books you're not going to use (even the edges), and of course, cut your toothbrush handle down to no more than 2 inches. And remember, you only get the full weight saving if the cutting is done in a garden shed - a beard is optional at this early stage of your development.
Feel free to add your weight saving tips in the comments section below.
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