Looking to go Ultralight

**Xristos** · 07-20-2013, 14:13

Howdy folks, general gear addict here. Nothing gets my juices flowing like researching and, finally, obtaining the next perfect toy to play with. However, I can always justify my obsession somehow (plus I'm not married and have nobody to whisper responsibilities in my ear). Yeah, the kitchen floor needs to be replaced and I haven't washed my clothes in hot water in over a year because I need to open up the wall and do some plumbing work. But, none of that is as cool as new gear....is it? Plus, I like pissing off my buddy who can only shake his head in (what I assume is) envy as I whip out my newest toy on the trail.

Well, I suppose this one goes in the "getting older" category as I recently did a short weekend pack in and out of the woods. Nothing crazy distance wise but work has kept me off the trails for a while and an entirely up hill climb in had me a bit wobbly in the knees and winded. Ok, it kicked my butt!

Now, I could say I'm out of shape and hit the gym but I'd rather say my pack needs to be lighter

So to the point...I'm looking to put together an UL "summer" sleep system for the climate here in N. Georgia and into the Carolinas. The focus is backpacking as we hit GSMNP quite often. So, I'm not talking about use in lower elevation areas where night temps remain high in the summer. I'm talking Mountain temps. where there's often a nip to the air at night. I'm curious what you guys have encountered with UL systems (pros/cons) and what advice you might give.

A little background: I'm 6' and currently 185lbs but I sometimes fluctuate between here and 195lbs. I gloriously made the transition off the ground about 1.5 years ago. You can see my hammock setup in the little box on the left and this has been my first and only setup. Still tweaking things and learning. Haven't branched into DIY yet and I'm not sure I'm ready for that but I could be swayed

Here's a setup I have been considering with some approximate weights. I'd love to have your thoughts...

Darien UL 13.5oz
Cuben Tarp 5.5oz?
Suspension 4oz?
Synthetic 40* UQ 8.5oz
40* TQ (maybe w/ new Argon) 12oz?

Total = 43.50oz / 2.71lbs

Thanks in advance er'body
Xristos

**bmwrider** · 07-20-2013, 14:35

I am trying to improve my UL system right now as well, just like you I will only use it when the trip conditions are right.

Your total weight seems pretty UL

First question, what brand is the Synthetic 40° UQ 8.5oz, I have never seen a synthetic UQ that light.

What is your suspension? does the 4 oz. include tree straps and toggles or what ever hard ware is being used?

You could carry the Grand Trunk nano7 at 7oz. to cut 6.5oz. off the Darien UL

PS. the degree symbol ° is done by holding the Alt key and typing 0176 then release the Alt key

**SwinginIt** · 07-20-2013, 14:36

Your list is pretty much what I would have recommended. What is the suspension you have listed? The Dariens suspension is included in it's weight. Is that tarp suspension? If so it shouldn't weigh near that much. At least not if you use zline for tie outs and zing it/lash it for RL.

**SwinginIt** · 07-20-2013, 14:39

Originally Posted by bmwrider

I am trying to improve my UL system right now as well, just like you I will only use it when the trip conditions are right.

Your total weight seems pretty UL

First question, what brand is the Synthetic 40* UQ 8.5oz, I have never seen a synthetic UQ that light.

What is your suspension? does the 4 oz. include tree straps and toggles or what ever hard ware is being used?

You could carry the Grand Trunk nano7 at 7oz. to cut 6.5oz. off the Darien UL

I don't know what his is but my Baby Orca UQ weighs that.

The nano doesn't include a bugnet so unless he uses a HUG those weight savings will be lost, plus the Darien is oh so roomy. And I'm not positive but I don't think the Nano comes with suspension, I could be wrong about that though.

**packdaddy** · 07-20-2013, 14:43

Just got back from one of those high altitude trips 10,000' - 12,500'. Night temps ranged from 31 the first three nights to 51 the last night. Your top insulation can be compensated with more clothes but you should prepare for your bottom insulation to need something extra. 1/8" evo foam for your butt should be enough. I use a scrap piece about 24" and about 2 oz.

**MDSH** · 07-20-2013, 14:55

I interpret the Darien UL to be "complete" with suspension at 13.8 ounces.

Mountain Laurel Desgins has a minimalist spinn tarp for $70 at 4.4 oz.

By the time you add suspension, Dutchware, guy lines, and stakes to your tarp system it will be more. My DIY .74oz. 9x10' cuben tarp with two stakes is 13.4 ounces.

Sgt. Rock's mule tape and dynaglide UCRs seem the lightest weight suspension so far.

.

**SwinginIt** · 07-20-2013, 15:26

If you feel like making the trip up here you can come check out all the things you're thinking about getting. Except my TQ is M50 instead of Argon. I'm a gear junkie like you so you can check out a few different things.

**SwinginIt** · 07-20-2013, 15:32

I have that spinn tarp and with zingit RL with dutch hooks and zline tieouts it weighs 5.5oz (no stakes or stuff sack).

**Xristos** · 07-20-2013, 17:49

Originally Posted by bmwrider

I am trying to improve my UL system right now as well, just like you I will only use it when the trip conditions are right.

Your total weight seems pretty UL

First question, what brand is the Synthetic 40° UQ 8.5oz, I have never seen a synthetic UQ that light.

What is your suspension? does the 4 oz. include tree straps and toggles or what ever hard ware is being used?

You could carry the Grand Trunk nano7 at 7oz. to cut 6.5oz. off the Darien UL

PS. the degree symbol ° is done by holding the Alt key and typing 0176 then release the Alt key

1. Yup, The synthetic UQ is the Baby Orca at that weight

2. I made up the 4oz weight for suspension (hence the "?"). I think the Dutch system I'm using is around 6oz but for some reason I feel I can do better. There is not a lot of thought behind that statement though.

3. As stated, the nano has no bug net, which is a must in the dirty south.

I didn't know that about the ° - pretty neat. Much more work than * though

What I COULD use is a better way to capture multiple quotes in a single reply on here. I'm sure there is a better way...there has to be

Originally Posted by SwinginIt

Your list is pretty much what I would have recommended. What is the suspension you have listed? The Dariens suspension is included in it's weight. Is that tarp suspension? If so it shouldn't weigh near that much. At least not if you use zline for tie outs and zing it/lash it for RL.

Ya know, the included suspension on the Darien was a question I meant to ask and forgot. That's awesome that the weight is included so I guess we can scratch those oz's off the list!

Originally Posted by packdaddy

Just got back from one of those high altitude trips 10,000' - 12,500'. Night temps ranged from 31 the first three nights to 51 the last night. Your top insulation can be compensated with more clothes but you should prepare for your bottom insulation to need something extra. 1/8" evo foam for your butt should be enough. I use a scrap piece about 24" and about 2 oz.

Yeah, I keep a foot pad when using a partial UQ and agree that I should figure that in. But, it has so many uses I'm not sure it belongs in the sleep system weight - at least not entirely?

Originally Posted by MDSH

I interpret the Darien UL to be "complete" with suspension at 13.8 ounces.

Mountain Laurel Desgins has a minimalist spinn tarp for $70 at 4.4 oz.

By the time you add suspension, Dutchware, guy lines, and stakes to your tarp system it will be more. My DIY .74oz. 9x10' cuben tarp with two stakes is 13.4 ounces.

Sgt. Rock's mule tape and dynaglide UCRs seem the lightest weight suspension so far.

.

Dang, that's pretty good. will that cover the Darien? I know I quoted the 10' weight but am not sure what length I'll go with. I'm leaning towards the 11' though just because the increase in minimal and I've heard good things.

Originally Posted by SwinginIt

If you feel like making the trip up here you can come check out all the things you're thinking about getting. Except my TQ is M50 instead of Argon. I'm a gear junkie like you so you can check out a few different things.

Hell yeah I do! Thanks for the offer. I haven't had the opportunity to lay my hands on a lot of different models so that would be a HUGE help.