How are you going lighter this season?

**gnome** · 03-20-2010, 17:57

re cuben H, It lays just like any other H, no dif. that I can detect. If you make one longer you can lay flatter. Manipulate it like any gatherd H. Now a cuben bridge-----we shall see, I have been lazy for a while, gnome

**ikemouser** · 03-20-2010, 18:48

Yea slowbro, cuben is my last tweaking i need to do at this point, unless people come up with new ways to do things and better ideas. Im holding out though, its so expensive, gonna buy a yard off zpacks website to replace my 2l platy, but holding out until it gets chaper to make a tarp. Just too expensive right now.

**phatpenguin** · 03-20-2010, 19:54

I took up running over the winter and traded out my gut for a new one, 25# savings. I am hoping to get a new model by fall to save about 20# more.

**wisenber** · 03-20-2010, 22:27

I do wonder if there is a law of diminishing returns with going light. Can you really say that you were able to cover .0137 more miles per day because you swapped your full sized Bic lighter for a micro? Did you shave three minutes off of your hiking time when you cut the end of the toothbrush?
The hikers that go to ground to save weight are what I really wonder about. When I sleep on the ground with a pad, I tend to keep having to rotate from one pressure spot to another. When I get up, I've got sore shoulders, hips etc. Sleeping in a hammock, I wake up at sunrise fully rested. No where do I capture the most efficiency, a light load or better rest? Ray Jardine makes the same argument for fresh food over processed food.

WV · 03-20-2010, 22:34

Originally Posted by gnome

I have used a gathered end cuben H for several years, works just like any other H. I have never had condensation probs. but then I don't sweat much! I just tie an overhand knot in each end and hang from that. I do use a a structural ridgeline too. it requires no hemming or sewing of any kind, dead simple for us DIY'ers. gnome

I have wondered whether I need to reinforce the edges of a cuben tarp at all, not even hemming them. What do you suggest? Would it be the same for straight edges and cat cuts?

**KenDen** · 03-20-2010, 23:12

I am planning to save weight by changing from a tent setup to hanging. I am designing a cuben/down setup that should be less that 3.5 lbs. That weight includes 11x9 tarp, hammock, top quilt, bottom quilt and suspension. I am trying to get the hammock dialed in.

**SlowBro** · 03-20-2010, 23:28

Originally Posted by wisenber

I do wonder if there is a law of diminishing returns with going light. Can you really say that you were able to cover .0137 more miles per day because you swapped your full sized Bic lighter for a micro? Did you shave three minutes off of your hiking time when you cut the end of the toothbrush?
The hikers that go to ground to save weight are what I really wonder about. When I sleep on the ground with a pad, I tend to keep having to rotate from one pressure spot to another. When I get up, I've got sore shoulders, hips etc. Sleeping in a hammock, I wake up at sunrise fully rested. No where do I capture the most efficiency, a light load or better rest? Ray Jardine makes the same argument for fresh food over processed food.

I too have wondered about diminishing returns. About 5 years ago, when the pain overcame the fun of backpacking for me, I moved to ultralight in hopes that the fun would return. It did! It meant I went from a 40lb base weight to a 8lb base weight. To get there I had to really rethink my philosophy of camping and gear.

I also found I had to become obsessed with "gram counting", for want of a better term. If I said, "Well, this 5 oz pack cover is light enough," when I could get or make one that weighted 3 oz. then I was 2 oz heavier than I could have been. That is not bad for that one item, but when you do the same for stuff sacks, and sun screen, and cook pot, and stove, and knife, and water bottle, and accessory cord, and.etc, etc... It quickly adds up to pounds. So it becomes a game of how light can I go. (Game sounds more healthy than obsession, don't you think?) And I played the game as hard as finances would allow for several years.

Oh, but then I discovered hammocks. This was terrible. They generally weight a little MORE than the ultralight tents I was using.

I struggled with this and my ultralight ethic and I am glad to say comfort won out.

That is not to say I don't count grams anymore. I do. But I have become more comfortable with the idea of a very little extra weight for a ten fold increase in comfort and a good nights sleep. My base weight has crept up as a result, but seems to be hovering around a reasonable (for me)- 10 lb.

**wisenber** · 03-20-2010, 23:47

My summer base weight is around 12 pounds or so before I take on food and water. A few years ago, it would have been closer to 40. That has let my mileage creep up from 6-10 miles a day to 18-24 miles a day without an increase in fatigue or effort. Still, I've found good food and good sleep gives me more benefit than less weight alone. That means I'll take the hammock, a few ounces more of insulation and leave the freeze-dried food in the bomb/ y2k shelter. If a pet rock lifted my spirits, I'd bring it along as well.

**Hangin' Burrito** · 03-21-2010, 05:20

Over the last couple of years, I've gone lighter because I've learned to give up alot of the "what if this happens or that?" gear.

You don't need 5 Bic lighters, a full size Rambo knife, a 3 pd. medical kit, a 10' X 12' HD plastic tarp, 100' of paracord, a 3 pk. of emergency roadside flares, etc.,etc.,etc.!
I am ashamed to say that's what I had in my "survival pack". Then I had my camping gear!!

Point is, see what others bring for emergency situations and the most important thing I've learned, is don't panic, and think about what you'd need to do. Knowledge is lighter than gear!

**Trout** · 03-21-2010, 06:04

The most important thing I've learned in the last year is about how I've packed and prepared based on fears not on needs. While I still need a lot of work on reducing the grams, I'm enjoying the journey.