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Posted by bheiser1 on April 17, 2008 at 10:13:31 am EDT
In reply to Minimalist or Everything but the kitchen sink? posted by Bryan L on February 22, 2008 at 12:56:24 am EST

I've been watching this thread since it started a couple months ago, and find it quite interesting. In a way I envy all you "ultra light" packers. I can only the imagine the sense of freedom and ease of movement you experience backpacking with a very light pack.

But for me, "practicality" rears its ugly head. First, I simply can't afford all the latest and greatest super-duper lightweight gear.

My 30 year old Kelty D4, as heavy as it may be, just has to do for now, while the $300 packs I drool over at REI will just have to wait.

Similarly, my 8lb Mountain Hardwear Skyview 1.5, supposedly a 'backpacking tent", but obviously quite heavy with fly, footprint, etc, will be with me for the foreseeable future. Sure, I could leave the fly & footprint at home on summer trips in the Sierra, but the first time I do that, I'll find myself in a heavy afternoon/evening thunderstorm.

Equally important to me as being out in the backcountry is my passion for photography, and for getting the best possible pictures, so I carry along a good 10lbs or more of camera gear. About all I can do here is upgrade to a carbon fiber tripod, but that's got to wait. Over time, my camera gear will only get heavier, as I bring along additional heavy pro lenses.

I need the peace of mind of a bear canister, even where it's not explicitly "required", so there's another 2 lbs.

I can't bring myself to bring "just enough" food - what if I got delayed and had to stay an extra day? So I always have an extra day's food in the canister.

I grew up learning to "be prepared", so I carry rain gear even on summer trips in the Sierra, even though I've never used it there. I've heard too many stories about heavy mountain thunderstorms to risk going without it.

All of this comes to "at least" 60 lbs. I know it's very heavy. I don't like it either. But... with the exception of the rain gear, a first aid kit, and a few extra pieces of food, I've found myself actually _using_ everything I've brought along.

So, it's with some sense of envy that I read about the ultra light approach, as if "I wish I could do that", yet at the same time it just doesn't seem to make sense to me. And, honestly, it's a bit frustrating at times to read about it, because I get the sense the ultra light people are laughing at those of us who carry "traditional" loads, or criticizing us for being 'wrong'.

For me, since I actually use what I bring along, the only "solution" I see to the "weight problem" is to buy expensive, lighter gear. And that's not happening anytime soon.

OK, there's my little rant, I hope I didn't offend anyone :).

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