Lightweight Backpacking

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Lightweight Backpacking

• Take nothing but pictures,
• Leave nothing but footprints

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Things to Watch For

• The Ultralight Way
• Gear Cutting Down Weight
• Nutrition Taste vs. Fuel
• Safety

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The Ultralight Way

• Facts vs. Myths

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Backpacking boots provide excellent stability for
any backpacker!
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FALSE!!!

• Backpacking boots are made for people carrying
  30 loads
• They are made to provide stability for feet with
  a heavy load
• If you are NOT carrying a heavy load, they will
  provide INSTABILITY
• Tidbit For every 1 pd you lose in your shoes, it
  is equivalent to losing 5 pds from your pack

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Its better to have something and not need it
than to need something and not have it.
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FALSE!!!

• If you need it at home, you need it
  backpacking. Another false statement!
• Ray Jardine If you dont have it, you dont need
  it.
• Lighter? Cell Phone? Day Planner?
• The best way to pack is to pack what you would
  need to SURVIVE

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Small packs (2000 to 2500 cu. In.) can hold
everything you need.
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True!!!

• Sleeping Bag
• Shelter
• Food
• First Aid Kit
• Clothing
• Water

• Water Purifier
• Sleeping Pad
• Cookware
• Hygiene
• Compass
• Map

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What If?

• What if I run into a bear in Georgia?
• What if I sprain my ankle?
• What if I get a blister?
• What if I get lost?
• What if I cant find a water source?
• While some are silly what ifs, others can be
  easily avoided or solved by being PREPARED!

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Gear

• Cutting Down Weight

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Tricks

• When purchasing gear DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! (Easy as
  Google)
• Ask Do I want to carry this X amount of miles?
• Also ask Is this versatile? (gear specific)
• Once purchased, if you dont need itcut it!

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Backpacks

• The most important piece of gear!

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Backpacks

• The Diarrhea Test
• Clue Half of most straps are NOT necessary
• How many cubic inches do you really need?
• Ask Will this backpack work for my needs?
• Try on as many backpacks as needed until you find
  the PERFECT fit!

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Backpacks

• Cutting Straps
• WARNING Never cut, before you use!
• Fist Technique
• Do you need it? No? Then cut it.
• You bought this equipment for YOUR needs, no one
  will use it but you! So make it work for you!

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Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads

• Their REAL Purpose

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Sleeping Bags

• Not made for perfect comfort.
• They are made to keep you warm, and sometimes
  merely alive, depending on temperature rating.
• Down vs. Synthetic which is better?
• Depends on what you want

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Down

• The biggest bang for buck as far as warmth and
  comfort are concerned.
• More warmth, less weight
• The best down bags will keep you warm even below
  their rating
• Higher fill Best quality
• 800 fill is the best
• However, if you get it wet, it takes FOREVER to
  dry!

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• Specs
• 15ºF
• Weight 2 pounds
• 750 goose-down fill

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Synthetic

• More weight for same amount of warmth as a down.
• Not as comfortable as down since the feathers are
  synthetic.
• But, if it gets wet, itll dry quickly.

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• Specs
• 15ºF
• Weight 3 pounds 7 oz.

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Sleeping Pads

• Contrary to popular belief, they are NOT built
  for comfort!
• If theres a rock, youll feel the rock
• Pads make your sleeping bag work
• They provide insulation
• Pads vs. Therm-a-rest
• Pads hands down they last longer, are 10x
  lighter, and all around better

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Shelter

• Protects you from the elementsthats it!

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Free Standing vs. Non-Free Standing

• Free Standing is the easiest to move because it
  does not have to be staked to stand.
• Non-Free Standing will always be the lightest
  pick since it requires less gear.
• Its a matter of choice which is best for you.

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Double Wall vs. Single Wall

• Double wall
• Ventilates more
• Causes less precipitation inside the tent
• Choice of using the rain fly
• Single Wall
• Less material, so light weight
• Has poor ventilation

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Double Wall
Single Wall
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Other Shelters

• Nothing can beat the simplicity of a tarp!
• Hammock?
• Yay for comfy!
• Can only sleep one way
• Requires trees.
• Do you even need a shelter?

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Footwear

• Less hardcore than youd think!

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The Shoe

• Needs to be flexible
• Trail runners are the best
• The more movement your foot has the more
  stability youll have

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Which shoe is better?
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Clothing

• Do you really need extra clothes to change?
• Take only what you need! Dont guessKNOW!
• Check the weather, itll help you know
• Is it going to rain? Bugs? ...

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Everything Else

• Pots and Pans or Pot?
• Tablets or Water Purifier?
• Silverware or Spork?
• Ask these kinds of questions all the time, not
  EVERYTHING is necessary!

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QUIZ!

• Wheres a great place to go to look up gear?
• What is the Fist test?
• Always cut what you dont need before you use
  your equipment on a trip.
• Who am I I weigh the less, but keep you the
  warmest.
• Single Wall tents have two different layers.

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Nutrition

• Taste vs. Fuel

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The Lightweight Pyramid
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The Lightweight Pyramid

• Carbohydrates
• The major fuel your body will need
• Wheat Rice, Pasta, Bread
• Eat mostly in the morning
• Protein
• The re-builder
• Chicken, Tuna, Pepperoni, etc
• Eat lightly in the morning and mostly at night

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The Lightweight Pyramid

• Fiber
• Yay for clean and clear bowels
• Not keeping your system clean and clear can cause
  more problems than needed
• Fruits and Veggies
• Only dried products will work for long periods
• Dried fruit works the best
• Granola will be your best friend

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The Lightweight Pyramid

• Fatty Foods
• They also provide nutrients you will need
• The least necessary though
• Most fatty substances are in the other food
  groups
• Water
• It is the most important thing you will need!
• Without water, everything else is practically
  useless

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Preparation

• The least amount of preparation time is the best
• Food, to pot, to mouth is preferred
• Think about water consumption
• The more you clean, the less water you will have

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QUIZ!

• What type of food do you want to eat in the
  morning?
• Who am I I keep you alive! Without me, nothing
  else matters.
• For smooth and clean systems, you want to eat
  this

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Safety

• ALWAYS be PREPARED

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Lions and Tigers and Bears

• These are not fun to run into!
• Be PREPARED
• Know if you are in their territory
• If you are
• Cook away from camp
• Use a bear bag
• Never sleep where they would want to feast and
  could possibly smell food

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Squirrels and Raccoons and Mosquitoes

• While not as scary, they can still cause problems
• Squirrels and Raccoons can get into your food, so
  protect it as much as possible
• Mosquitoes can ruin any trip
• Long sleeve shirts and pants work wonderful
• Bug lotion (yes lotion, not spray)
• Covers more consistently
• Can work two ways Sun Block and as Bug Spray

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Hows the weather???

• ALWAYS check the weather to make sure you have
  the proper amount of layers, NEVER GUESS!
• Will it rain?
• How cold will it be?
• How hot will it be? (For water purposes)

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Hygiene

• Hygiene is IMPORTANT!
• A bandana works great for bathing
• Fill a pot with water, boil, let cool, and wash!
• Toothbrush?
• Depends on the number of days and preference
• Washing clothes
• On extended trips, clothing can be washed in your
  nearest river

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QUIZ!

• BE _______________!
• How far away should your tent be from where you
  cooked?
• Checking the weather is not that important, just
  guess.
• When in bear country, how do you keep your food
  safe?

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What
Have
Learned?
You