The ATC offers a 2-hour video called Lightweight Backpacking: Secrets Revealed. The description reads: “Five years of research by Lynne Wheldon went into how to pack five days of food and a load of water into 25 pounds.” Has anyone seen this video? Is it worth getting at $25?
C-Giddy
How about the How to Hike the Appalachian Trail video? Description: Lynne Wheldon interviews thru-hikers for their tips on how to prepare and what to expect on the long trek. Updated in 2001; five hours, VHS ($33.95 for ATC members). Anyone know about this one?
C-Giddy
C Gid, I own the video, it is very helpful and informative. Is a common sense aproach, very inexpensive way to go. Get it.
greatspirit
I’m with you. Way to go. I kissed that 50lb pack goodbye a few years back.
Anyone care to give a brief film review of “Five Million Steps”. I was thinking of buying it. Just need to know if the shipping charges to the UK will be worth it.
Cheers
Ross:cheers
Ross
I’ve seen the AT video, and I think its great. You hear from a lot of different perspectives. It’s very real, no big production reality warping like the tee-vee or Bryson dramas. There are some great quotes, and some ugly feet.
Tha Wookie
Ross,the first time I saw it. I checked it out at the Library.I now own a copy of “Five Million Steps”.Great video…Can’t never tell,you might find it at the Library,and save some pounds.It was listed in the Hiking Adventures section.Worth a shot.Good Luck…:boy
Bill Harris
On my 98 hike I went from a 55 pound pack to 25. Since 99 I’ve had a 13 pound load pre food and water. You don’t have to spend a lot. Pack, tarp, kitchen cost me less than 150 USD total.
Best site on the web for going lightweight is www.backpacking.net
renaissanceman
Guru, thanks for the info on your equipment. I am just getting ready to purchase for the AT to begin March or April. Could you tell me the stove you use and the fuel?
Also, do you think the tarptent is that much better than a lightweight tent like the zoid 1.5? Thanks
Homer
I carry a Dureflex Pack cost me 49.00, after removing some zippers and internal sleeping bag compartment liner, shortening straps it weighs 3.8 pounds. It is an internal frame 3600 cu pack. Nothing fancy. My bag is NF20, 3 lbs. My tent is Gossamer, 2.8 lbs with all stakes and I use a emergency blanket for my ground cloth 2 ozs. Total price $350.00. I use a Primus Lite hiker stove and prpane/butane canister. On cold days warm canister inside morning sleeping bag. I have a cut down first aid/repair kit. Carry a hunting knife on my backpack hip belt. Evernew titaniun 1.5 Littre pot. Total pack weight with 4 days food and 1 littre water 22-23 pounds, and yes the video goes into very inexpensive gear. Peace out.
greatspirit
The video is mostly on attitude, as I remember it. As usual with his videos, Lynn interviewed a lot of different folks on what they do and why to lighten up their loads. There are practical tips, humor (the Springer madness moments are hilarious), and a lot on the attitude changes that go along with lightening your pack - i.e. lowering your level of fear about things that can go wrong. I’ve watched it a few times, and definitely think it worthwhile. I get something different out of it each time I watch it. (If you watch it before you do an AT hike, and then again afterwards, it will have vastly different impacts.)
Ginny
I think it would best to break down my gear list with what I paid for it to answer the questions.
Pack- 2.00 (Mtnsmith dyno 2500 ci $50 closeout rei-outlet.com) S bag- 2.50 (Moonstone 10* 800 down $200 closeout rei-outlet.com) T rest- 1.25 (Guidelite 3/4 local outfitter $50) Shelter- 2.00 (Tarptent Squall tarptent.com $200) Misc.- 2.50 (stove/fuel/AquaMira/1staid/pillow $20ish range) Jacket-1.00 (Lowe Alpine syn fill local outfitter $60 closeout) Rain Jacket- .75 (Marmot Precip local outfitter sale $80) Rain pants- .25 (Go Lite Reed local outfitter sale $40) Midweight thermal top/bottom- .75 (Wickers sierratradingpost.com 2nds/closeout $20) Total Weight 13.00. I forgot to mention I use a lightweight beanie style fleece hat, fleece ear band, smartwool glove liners and Marmot fleece liners (campmor.com $40) during the winter. This weight was included in my Misc. section of weight.I also forgot to mention I use Leki Ultralite Titanium Air Ergo poles (argear.com $99 ). They weigh 14oz/pair. I don’t include this into my load since they’re not on my back. Total cost is +/- $859, which isn’t too bad since I started out 10 years ago with a 7 lbs Dana pack that cost $350. Over the years I’ve customized what I carry to this current set-up. It’s by far the best I’ve ever had in terms of comfort both while hiking and sleeping.
My pack is really a daypack. It’s inexpensive, lightweight and is very versitile. I love the little thing. If I were to hike from GA-ME I would consider using the 2004 Mountainsmith Ghost for the 400 cu. in. space. This would be nice for and extra stash of food. The new Ghost is the same weight as my Dyno.
If you’re looking for a nice, ultralight jacket checkout the Montbell U.L. Thermawrap Jacket. It’s synthetic filled and only weighs 7.6 ounces. Argear.com sells has is on sale for $116.10.
“Could you tell me the stove you use and the fuel? Also, do you think the tarptent is that much better than a lightweight tent like the zoid 1.5?”
I use an alcohol stove I made from a coke can. I also made a pot support for it. It burns denatured alcohol or HEET found in automotive stores. It weighs .8 oz. total. Personall, I feel the Tarptent is better than the Zoid. Not only in weight but also in comfort. The Tarptent breathes very well. Mine was modified slightly with an extended beak and a sewn-in floor. Henry Shires is a super guy who will modify most anything on his products. If you’re going solo, look into the Virga.
I hope this helps on your dicision.
guru
Don’t forget to check eBay for gear. I got my golite speed pack BRAND NEW from the Outfitter at Harper’s Ferry for $71…msrp like $140 or so. Took about 3 days from auction end to show up at my door.
I also saw a handful of Hennessy Hammocks on there. As I was casually chatting with my local outfitter (Vertical Horizon in North Charleston, SC), he said he’d give me the price I saw on eBay for the one on the wall…just to keep my business. I like to shop locally when I can, so I did it - around $110 for the ultralight A-Sym model. He’s ordering the Snakeskins for me, too.
He couldn’t give me the pack for half-off, so that was a no-brainer, but I’d pay a few extra dollars to stay local.
Jeff
Jeff