Backpacking or Ultralight Backpacking
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Anyone do either?
I am specifically interested if anyone has done any ultralight backpacking and what you used/made.
I will be backpacking next year for 5-6 days with my Dad in the Grand Tetons. I want to travel light so any help in the way of stoves, tent, pack would be especially helpful. I have looked into a few alcohol stoves, and would be open to making my own tent/pack.
Thanks
I am specifically interested if anyone has done any ultralight backpacking and what you used/made.
I will be backpacking next year for 5-6 days with my Dad in the Grand Tetons. I want to travel light so any help in the way of stoves, tent, pack would be especially helpful. I have looked into a few alcohol stoves, and would be open to making my own tent/pack.
Thanks
I have backpacked a bit and I love it! But before even answering any of these questions I have to ask you a few first.
You NEED hydration packs. Whether you go with camel or another brand doesn’t matter, but you should get one of those. You need to stay hydrated and stopping to dig a water bottle out of your pack every ten minutes is a drag.
If there is an REI (outdoors store) near you, you should visit and chat with one of the employees. If there is not your best bet for someone knowledgeable about the things you will need will probably be the hunters. So if you go into a general sports store go to the hunting section, not the tent or boots section first.
- How old are you?
- What kind of shape are you in?
- When are you going? There’s a big difference between going in the summer and going in the spring or fall to the Grand Tetons.
- Has you (or your dad) ever done anything like the Grand Tetons? In other words, do you know how dangerous the mountains (mountains on the East coast don’t count) can be? and what to expect?
- How much are you willing to spend? With backpacking the sky is the limit, but there are ways to do it afordably.
You NEED hydration packs. Whether you go with camel or another brand doesn’t matter, but you should get one of those. You need to stay hydrated and stopping to dig a water bottle out of your pack every ten minutes is a drag.
If there is an REI (outdoors store) near you, you should visit and chat with one of the employees. If there is not your best bet for someone knowledgeable about the things you will need will probably be the hunters. So if you go into a general sports store go to the hunting section, not the tent or boots section first.
Forrest Berry
I am 28 and my Dad is 64. He still gets around quite well though.
We are both in average shape.
We are going in August, probably.
We have backpacked a while ago, but nothing recently. And I grew up in AZ and my Dad is still there, so yes, we know what a mountain is.
Have you made any of your gear?
We are both in average shape.
We are going in August, probably.
We have backpacked a while ago, but nothing recently. And I grew up in AZ and my Dad is still there, so yes, we know what a mountain is.
Have you made any of your gear?
Oh then you guys should do fine.
I have not made my own gear. But I’ve messed around a bit with my gear. One of your big options for customization is getting a backpack frame then doing whatever you want to it. You should get some sort of backpack frame whether its a traditional pack or otherwise. You will need the support.
You will still be early enough in the year to use any kind of tent as long as you have a good sleeping bag. There are numerous ways to do your own tent…I know the boyscouts have methods. There are some ways to use a tarp if all you’re worried about is rain. Just google some ideas and try it out in your backyard till you find something you’re comfortable with.
The only thing is if you’re over 9,000 feet its gonna be cold at night no matter what time of the year it is. So make sure you have a warm sleeping bag.
As far as stoves go, I use the MSR whisperlite. It uses white gas. Here is the step up from that. http://www.rei.com/product/709000 It uses a variety of fuel types.
I have not made my own gear. But I’ve messed around a bit with my gear. One of your big options for customization is getting a backpack frame then doing whatever you want to it. You should get some sort of backpack frame whether its a traditional pack or otherwise. You will need the support.
You will still be early enough in the year to use any kind of tent as long as you have a good sleeping bag. There are numerous ways to do your own tent…I know the boyscouts have methods. There are some ways to use a tarp if all you’re worried about is rain. Just google some ideas and try it out in your backyard till you find something you’re comfortable with.
The only thing is if you’re over 9,000 feet its gonna be cold at night no matter what time of the year it is. So make sure you have a warm sleeping bag.
As far as stoves go, I use the MSR whisperlite. It uses white gas. Here is the step up from that. http://www.rei.com/product/709000 It uses a variety of fuel types.
Forrest Berry
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