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*****UltraLight Backpacking*****

This page will be used to provide information concerning ultralight backpacking. Since I prefer a full size external frame pack, and use 2 sleeping pads, I really don't qualify as an ultralighter. Therefore, contributions to this page will be greatly appreciated.

The table below is not yet fully functionable, however, it will give you an idea of how this page will be structured. Contributions are welcome in all categories.

Please let others know how you became interested in ultralight backpacking, how you acquired your gear, how much you spent, how much experience you've had and exactly how you gained your knowledge. Articles of this nature will be posted to "Articles About Ultralight Backpacking".

If you have individual items that you would like to list in the "Gear" category, please send a description to me (including weight, of course). For instance, if you wanted to list a Coleman Cobra tent in the "Tents & Tarps" category, it should read something like this: "Coleman Cobra tent, sleeps 2, one hoop aluminum frame design, double wall construction, weighs 3 pounds, 9 oz."

If you would like to be listed in the "E-Mail An Ultralighter" section, or if you have an ultralight link to list, please let me know. If you wish to be added to "E-Mail An Ultralighter, please include your name (real name, cyber ID or trail name) and e-mail address.

Gear lists are also needed and welcome, however, please note the following:

1 - The gear list submitted should be adequate for a trip of at least 3 nights in early spring or late fall, when frozen precipitation and high winds may be encountered, and where temperatures may range from approximately 30 degrees to 75 degrees.

2 - The weight of each item on the gear list should be specified. However, even though weight is obviously very important, this is not the place for the gear list of someone who hikes a couple of miles in mild weather, camps by a water source, does no cooking and eats only snacks, sleeps on the ground, and then brags about having a 7 pound pack. The emphasis here will be placed on functional and proven pack systems in difficult terrain and variable weather conditions. Its not a contest to see who can come up with the lightest weight pack.

3 - Gear lists (and weights) should be minus food and water, however, the system for transporting water in your pack should be identified (soda bottles, Platypus bags, bladder bags, etc.).

4 - Please be specific. For instance, instead of saying "First Aid Kit = 3 ozs." or "Clothes = 1 pound, 8 ozs.", please identify and specify the weight of each individual item.

5 - If a gear list is submitted, it will be posted in the "Gear Lists" category below. However, individual items on the gear list will also be posted in the "Gear" category. For instance, if a Sil-Tarp is listed in a gear list, it will also appear in "Tents & Tarps".

Please send your contributions to me as e-mail at the following address:
rainmaker@rabun.net

When I feel that a sufficient amount of information is available, this page will be made available at AT TrailQuest, PCT TrailQuest and CDT TrailQuest. Thanks for your interest.



Hints, Tips & Suggestions Articles About Ultralight Backpacking Gear
Gear Lists E-Mail An Ultralighter Ultralight Links






















*****Ultralight Links*****

Links to other sites which may be of interest to ultralight hikers are shown below:

















*****E-Mail An Ultralighter*****

The following ultralight hikers have agreed to answer questions from other hikers:

















*****Gear Lists*****

No gear lists posted at the present time. Please send in yours!

















*****Articles About Ultralight Backpacking*****

No articles posted at the present time. Please send in yours!

















*****Hints, Tips & Suggestions*****



















*****Ultralight Gear*****

Packs Sleeping Systems Tents & Tarps
Cooking Systems Clothing Shoes & Boots
Water Containers Water Purification First Aid Kits
Misc. Items Sanitation Kits