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Posted by Tom D on April 17, 2008 at 5:11:24 pm 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

As Bill put it so well, you don't need to buy the ultra expensive gear to cut down your weight. I bought a used Kelty pack for $100 and once you strip off all the pockets and miscellaneous straps (not cut off, just unclip them), it is pretty light. Not the ideal pack, but I use it in winter with all the add-ons.

If you don't care about gourmet cooking or aren't melting lots of water in winter, you can make a lighweight alcohol stove for practically nothing from soda cans, or buy one from the many people who sell them on the net. By nothing, I mean nothing-drink the Pepsi, cut up the can, you have a stove. There are dozens of designs online. People make lightweight cookpots out of the big Heineken cans-same thing, drink the beer, cut up the can. Anyone with a few hand tools, a decent can opener and some modest skills can make these things.

You can make a lightweight equivalent of a JetBoil that will burn alcohol for probably less than $5. You can also find plenty of used stoves on eBay.

I've seen used UL shelters like a Henry Shires Tarptent for as little as $50 and that is a very well respected brand. Start prowling the UL sites-several have buy/sell forums. A big of patience may be rewarded with a bargain. I see deals on used UL gear all the time-packs, tents,stoves and clothes.

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