Ultralight problems?

imported
#1

Has anyone ever set out on a hike with ultra-light hiking and discovered problems with it?

For example, did you find the equipment inadequate in some way as to utility, durability or comfort, thereby requiring replacement (and thereby driving up the cost of your hike)?

Or, did you find yourself needing things you’d foregone in order to be consistent with the ultralight philosophy?

Or, did you find yourself more reliant on towns, because you were carrying so little food, water or other necessaries?

If you’ve tried ultralight, and discovered problems and developed dissatisfactions, I’d like to know about them.

Thanks, Canby

Canby

#2

Has anyone ever set out on a hike with ultra-light hiking gear and discovered problems with it?

For example, did you find the equipment inadequate in some way as to utility, durability or comfort, thereby requiring replacement (and thereby driving up the cost of your hike)?

Or, did you find yourself needing things you’d foregone in order to be consistent with the ultralight philosophy?

Or, did you find yourself more reliant on towns, because you were carrying so little food, water or other necessaries?

If you’ve tried ultralight hiking, and discovered problems and developed dissatisfactions, I’d like to know about them.

Thanks, Canby

Canby

#3

BAD equiptment catergory needs to have the REI UL60 back pack in it. Both the 2006 model and the 2007 failed me on the PCT last year. 650 miles into the trail the hip belt tore off the pack where it was just cheaply sewn to the frme. Can you believe it?!! The fabric was sewn to plastic on the frame. It slowly started ripping off for miles before, then catostrophic failure. The specified load limit for the pack was in the 35- 40 lb. range, and I know that I didn’t exceed that limit since mile 340 when I had to carry waterfor a 25 mile dry stretch. To add to the nightmare, I was able to find cell reception and call REI for a replacement that they promised to have shipped to Kennedy Meadows resort via UPS 50 miles away in two days when I would be arriving there. I had low enough weight so I just relied on the shoulder straps for this stretch. Upon arriving to the ressuply ppoint I realized REI had stood me up. UPS comes there everyday dropping off boxes and stuff, so I knew it wasn’t this little stores fault at all. I had to wait 5 additional days to get the backpack. I could have hitched to a trail angel 100 miles away who lets hikers take their car to the LA REI store in one day and be back to the trail. REI just kept telling me on the phone it would be there the next day. Thoroughly awful experience.
5 days sitting around a one room store in the middle of no where drinking tons of beer (which was cool but costly) while my hiking partner looked like she was going to dump me.

The replacement pack another REI UL 60 which REI said was better failed 300 miles later the exact same way. This time I hitched to where Hydro Heidi my partner had her car and drove to the Reno REI and upgraded to a Gregory Z55 pack. This Gregory was awesome and I still am using it. I put 1300 PCT miles on it and since put another 400 on it with no problems.

REI does have an excellent return policy, which is it’s saving grace. I just won’t buy their brand of pack again. It would be good maybe for an overnight but not the long haul. FYI for those who may ream me like I see in other posts for actually returning a failed peice of gear. These things are supposed to last. And they are warrantied for life. I know that they are cheaply made in Chinese sweat shops, but part of the reason you pay $200 for this brand is that you buy into an unlimited return policy. Most people wont use their gear to the point of failure but for those who do, a constant return of the merchandise as it fails is built into the cost.

Make sure you carry enough for when the weather turns. I heard that a hiker last year, Warner Springs Monty, who was evangelizing people on carrying a 5 pound base weight needed had to beg someone else to share they’re tent in Washington when the weather got blizzardy. A normal tent is awesome and it will keep you alive in these circumstances.

Iknow this is an AT forum but it gets cold there too. Read Hydro Heidis 2005 journal if you want to read about a Jan 1 start date.

Guino

#4

So, ultralight packs aren’t all that sturdy. Any other problems?

Canby

Canby

#5

Durability is what you give up to carry light wt. gear. You can’t throw it down in your campsite, or abuse it in any way. Light wt. material will not take it. If you are careful however your hiking experience is fantastic.
121

hiker121

#6

True 121, but some equiptment is just made better. The Z55 is only a few ounces heavier once you remove the nearly useless top portion, but tons more comfortable and durable. Also my ultralight Leki pole’s have bent like crazy on my TRT hike I did this year. My older heavier Leki Makalu’s have so much use that the tips have worn done to little stubs and Im wearing out the aluminum already, but no bending even after my PCT hike and several hundred miles of Grand Canyon hiking on them. They also used to be rentals at the Grand Canyon General store for several years and I bought them used, for $20 so who knows what kind of abuse they have.

I want my gear not to fail me, and I don’t want it to leave me stranded.

Gear I like:

MSR pocket rocket, MSR Mini Works EX filter, DNA jacket, Ozark trail $5 blue foam pad, platypus water bags(do leak eventually but understandable), soda bottles.

My Euereka Zeus-1 tent isn’t exactly ultralight, it weighs 6 ounces more then the Big Agnes Seedhouse UL-1. However you save weight since you don’t need a ground cloth under it, and am impressed with the high quality for under $100. It’s a single wall tent meaning no fly, good size vestibule too. However at 5’ 11" I’m pushing the height limits of this tents length.

The Walmart Ozark Trail brand Blue foam pad is the only pad I use now. it weighs just 1 ounce per foot and is extrememly durable. THe cost at just $5 is awesome too. Don’t get the $12 Ozark pad with the dimples though it’s too soft and weighs more. I like the $5 one better then Hydro Heidis Z-rest from Thermarest. The bright blue color might save you from getting shot in hunting season too.

Guino

#7

The selection of hiking gear is one of the fun parts of hiking. If ultralight gear makes your hike more enjoyable then that’s great. If heavier more sturdy gear makes it more enjoyable then great. Based on all I hear from the posts I believe quality ultralight gear is available along with ultralight gear that is of poor quality. Individual hiker size and hiking style can be a big determinant on whether lightweight will work for you. Lightweight packs such as ULA Circuit and Granite Gear Vapor Trail appear to be dependable quality packs. I have witnissed tarps take a tremendous beating from hail and rain and held up fine. If you don’t like the bugs then a Henry Shires Tarptent appears to be a solid ultralight tent. I reciently got a Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape that is a poncho that covers the hiker and bag and turns into a tent at day’s end. I got it for Christmas and put it up in my back yard in a downpour and high winds sure that it would not be standing the next morning. To my surprise it was fine. Ultralight bags like the Western Mountaineering Ultralight always gets high marks. For my size the lightweight hiking poles work great. For bigger hikers that may not be true. So the bottom line is have fun with your gear selection, If you go ultralight select quality products, and for clothing, food, and water I think you should always be on the safe side. Choose ultralight clothing that can with certainty protect you from the elements. Make sure you always carry enough food. During my AT Thruhike I shiftd to having all meals be cold not requiring a cooking stove. I was fine with it but some foolks needed a hot breakfast and dinner.
Gear is your friend. Have fun with it.
Steady On

Steady On

#8

Hey Guino
Interesting post about Warner Springs Monty begging for a tent! Wish I could have been there at the time to see myself begging. If I was there I would know what you are talking about and your credibility and integrity would not have been damaged by that post you made here.

Warner Springs Monty :slight_smile:

Warner Springs Monty

#9

Appology accepted
In 2007 I beefed up for Washington by using a 9 ounce Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn two person tarp and a DriDuck jacket instead of my 2.5 ounce Cubenfiber poncho tarp. The tarp was overkill, but very cozy. Warm, safe fed and dry the whole way. 6 pounds of gear at that time, but still averaged less than 5 for the entire PCT thru-hike.
See http://www.gossamergear.com/gossamergear/images/gear_lists/Monty_ALDHA_2008.doc for the main gear list that year. Not all items were carried in the warmer regions. More weight was carried in northern washington (6 lbs) Average under 5 for the year.

The Fun Goes Up When The Weight Goes Down!

Warner Springs Monty

Warner Springs Monty

#10

Appology accepted
In 2007 I beefed up for Washington by using a 9 ounce Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn two person tarp and a DriDuck jacket instead of my 2.5 ounce Cubenfiber poncho tarp. The tarp was overkill, but very cozy. Warm, safe fed and dry the whole way. 6 pounds of gear at that time, but still averaged less than 5 for the entire PCT thru-hike.
See http://www.gossamergear.com/gossamergear/images/gear_lists/Monty_ALDHA_2008.doc for the main gear list that year. Not all items were carried in the warmer regions. More weight was carried in northern washington (6 lbs) Average under 5 for the year.

The Fun Goes Up When The Weight Goes Down!

Warner Springs Monty

Warner Springs Monty