Lightweight Backpacking Items

Over the years, two things have happened that have changed backpacking for me. I have gotten older and gear has gotten lighter. Twenty years ago a multi-day backpacking trip would mean reaching for a 70 liter back pack and stuffing it with lots of heavy gear.  Even today I still see these packs on the trail used by folks out for only a few days. These heavy packs limit trail speed, daily endurance and distance traveled. they also increase the possibility of a fall. I thought it useful to offer a suggested list of items based on what I use on a four day, three night trip. These are only suggested items and your needs may differ but the gear listed here combined is about 25 pounds. This is essentially the same gear I set aside for my 3 day Search and Rescue pack minus the Bear Vault 450.

Big Agnes Seedhouse 1

Summit Rocket 40

Back pack Sierra Designs Discovery 30 ----30 liter backpack (or Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 40 Liter pack)

Tent------Big Agnes Seedhouse 1 (tent in pack and metal support rods in outside pocket) Or single wall Mountain Hardwear direkt 2

Bear Canister----Bear Vault 450 solo

Bear canister contains [Snowpeak Litemax Titanium stove in cook pot w/small fuel can, waterproof matches, first aid kit, toilet kit and Food---energy bars, dried fruit, mixed nuts and premixed instant coffee]

Waterproof stuff sack w/ Sleeping Bag----Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32°

Sleeping Pad-----Thermarest NeoAir all season

Waterproof stuff sack w/ Down Sweater----Mountain Hardwear  Ghost Whisperer

Waterproof stuff sack w/merino wool socks, light poly pro gloves and balaclava

Inflatable pillow

Pack lid contains Petzl Tekki LED headlamp, spare AA and AAA batteries, mini Bic butane lighter and chlorine tabs for emergency purification

Note pad and pen, spare waterproof map

Garmin Oregon 550 t with detailed California topo map chip on front of shoulder strap

Left waistbelt pocket includes mosquito repellent, Suunto Compass, lip balm

Right waistbelt pocket contains small Kershaw folding knife and sunscreen

Right side mesh pocket contains spare water bottle

Left side mesh pocket has collapsible tent support rods and Mont-bel titanium scoop

Mesh pocket on back has Mountain Hardwear lightweight hooded rain shell, rain pants and waterproof gloves.

Utility Belt

Velcro holster with a Katadyn filter water bottle

Point and shoot camera w/plastic sealable bag

Iridium 9575 Sat Phone in waterproof bag

Utility pouch for chap stick, water tablets, camera batteries, aspirin and ibuprofen, sunblock, folding knife etc.

Cargo Shorts with lots of zippered pockets

Mountain Hardwear polypro shirt with zipper pocket

Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2 Trail-Running shoes
Black Diamond Trekking Poles