How are you going lighter this season?

[gnome]

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.

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?
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David
I have only a straight sided tarp, so I don't kno about a cat cut, however it wouldn't seem that one would need to hem the cuben. let me kno if you find out! gnome

[Highstrung]

Still waiting on a Maccat Dlx

Replaced my Osprey Atmos 65 (58 oz) with a new golite Jam 2010 model (31 oz)

Using a Krazy kook kit rather than a snow peak with an msr pocket rocket.

Replaced down sleeping bag (47 oz) with a DIY topquilt (22 oz)

So just from what I've listed here, (more DIY coming) I've dropped 3 1/4 lbs. Oh and that's not actually counting the tarp and cook kit, cuz I haven't actually weighed my old ones yet.

[WV]

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?
__________________
David

I have only a straight sided tarp, so I don't know about a cat cut, however it wouldn't seem that one would need to hem the cuben. let me know if you find out! gnome

Thanks. I've got a tarp design in sil that I like a lot, and have been planning to make a cuben copy, but the sil version has a cat cut ridge and hangs under the ridgeline for best weather protection and above the ridgeline for a roomier setup. I figure when it's over the ridgeline the cat cut isn't really necessary, so I'll skip the cat cut for the cuben version and always hang it over the ridgeline. I'll get better weather protection simply by making the tarp bigger. The edges of the sil tarp also have cat cuts, and I'll try leaving them straight and not hemmed at first. I think I'll cut the sides so the spectra threads are parallel to the tarp edges for greater strength, but that will mean joining a straight edged piece to one cut on the bias in the center of the tarp. (In this design pieces at the edges of the tarp are triangular.) The cuben I have has a little bit of stretch on the bias, but not much. It's not the type with the extra layer of threads at 45°. I'm pretty confident of my taped seams, which use 1" wide 3M VHB ("very high bonding") Adhesive Transfer Tape #9460. Also, I finally found a source for 3M's "Primer 94" which will reportedly make the bond even stronger. The only sewing planned on this tarp will be reinforcements at the tieout points, so it will be waterproof. I'll let you know how it turns out. You may have inspired me to try a cuben hammock some day. I'm not a gram weenie, but it would be interesting to put together the lightest possible kit for a thruhiker.

[MacEntyre]

I've been carrying less and less... figuring out how to make the UL Molly Mac Pack accelerated the process of lightening my load. Now I like to see how little I can pack. When you are left with the essentials, it highlights the heavier gear that could be replaced.

[Albert Skye]

I'm learning lots, because:

"The more you know, the less you carry."

[Mule]

It's everything I can do to make myself carry a stove. I hardly ever use them when I do carry them. If I want something hot I do it on the fire. That saves a little.

[turnerminator]

I'm learning lots, because:

"The more you know, the less you carry."

I like that Albert.

Wise words.

[mbiraman]

it was just last summer i decided to get back into backpacking, camping etc so all my gear needed to change from what could be called truck camping. My tent ,thermarest and sleeping bag came in at 14.5 lbs. I replaced that with a WBBB, yeti, HRTQ and Maccat del.,,,,comes in at about 5.5 lbs,,,saving 9 lbs.
Trading in my old Lowe alpine (27 yrs old and 7.5 lbs) for a yet unknown pack but probably about a 4 lbs saving.
Bushbuddy with backup alky and GSI soloist saving about 2 lbs but adding a whole lotta fun. That's it so far but i think there will be more to come.

[Albert Skye]

I'm learning lots, because:

"The more you know, the less you carry."

I like that Albert.

Wise words.

That's attributed to Mors Kochanski (but I imagine the thought is older than he). I didn't read any of his books yet but I'm looking forward to it.

Here's a beautifully simple "flip flop" winch of his (and a diagram).

[MacEntyre]

Here's a beautifully simple "flip flop" winch of his

I like that!