Ultralight Backpacking Gear - Part 1

[1AlexxRush]

Best video for how to pack properly that I've seen. And I've seen a lot. I'd love to see a video of your tarp shelter concept, and how u change it depending on weather. Sounds amazing. I'll check your videos for that. Thankyou :)

[limey3r]

Good vid, I'm trying to get together the right gear to go ultralight. Of course I go for the rocks when rather than tp lol

[shaggzm4]

I've been looking at blown up sleeping pads for this summer, how would you rate their durability?

[blackwoodspress]

@shaggzm4 I use a Thermarest Prolite self-inflating sleeping pad. I have had them pop a few times over the years, but overall they are very durable. I carry the patch kit in case they need to be repaired, which only happens every 1,000 miles or so. You need to be careful when choosing a campspot to make sure there are not any sharp sticks or rocks underneath.

[borderraven]

@blackwoodspress, try inflating air matress to 45%,50% and 60%. You'll find once your body weight is distributed full-length your weight will be supported, and you won't strain the fabric. It will be more quite too. Experiment with a 1-quart ziplock bag and you'll see the concept.

As for the rubbing alcohol stinging. Mix 8 fluid ounces hydrogen-peroxide with 16 fluid ounces of rubbing alcohol (70% or 90%). Cleans eyeglasses, disinfects wounds, and diluted 50/50 in water cleans ears.

[redimixofmd]

Thank you for sharing.

[EddieErion929]

hi,how do you stay dry if it rains hard with just a tarp,groung cover and a down sleeping bag?-thanks

[blackwoodspress]

@EddieErion929 As long as the rain is coming down from above the tarp does a fine job of keeping the rain off of me and my gear. It's much wider than a tent so it provides a lot of coverage. If the rain is being blown in sideways by the wind then I will pitch the tarp with the sides tacked to the ground and the ridgeline lower than usual, which makes a smaller opening for rain to come in. As long as I stay near the middle I stay dry.

[TheRussellEmerson]

being originally from the east coast (and now in canada, may come back) i have little knowledge of the pacific crest trail. are there shelters on that trail like there are on the A.T?

[blackwoodspress]

@TheRussellEmerson There are a couple of shelters on the PCT but they are very few and far between (only a few on the entire trail). So a good lightweight tarp or tent is essential. The good news is that the weather on the PCT is usually very mild, and many PCT hikers choose to cowboy camp out under the stars most of the time.

[Ekulytes]

Hey Blackwood,

Quick question. How  come you decided to go with a vest instead of a full jacket? I know it's probably because of the lightness and free arm mobility, but I was wondering if there were any other significant reasons. Thanks!

[blackwoodspress]

@Ekulytes: I prefer a vest because it keeps my core warm but I can also hike in it during cold weather. I have used full jackets with sleeves in the past but they are always too hot to hike in and I overheat within a few minutes and have to take them off. Torso, head and feet are the most important areas to keep warm, so I've found that as long as I focus my insulation on these three key areas my entire body stays warm.

[redheadhikerbabe]

@blackwoodspress It took me a long time and many frustrating winter hikes before I finally landed on the idea that a vest and a high quality thermal shirt gave me freedom of movement but incredible warmth. It's sometimes a bit nippy in the early morning when you're first on the move, but mind over matter keeps me from focusing on the chill until my body heats up.

[Ekulytes]

@Ekulytes

Thanks for the quick reply! The reason why I ask is because I received a Patagonia down vest as an early Christmas present. Im a little worried about my arms getting cold, but you bring up good points. It isnt a good idea to start sweating while youre out in the cold (hypothermia).

Hey man, cant wait for your vids to upload. You just finished the CDT right?

Thanks again for the advice.

[chaseandtonya]

I must that 12+ lbs base weight isn't really ultralight thats my winter base weight with a hammock and a 10x12 tarp @ 29oz. I think you can get a much lower base weight with only using a trap and ground cloth.

[blackwoodspress]

@chaseandtonya - This is my three-season weight with a few luxuries added. Sometimes I will carry less gear. I thru-hiked the Colorado Trail this summer and my base weight was 8 lbs. Worked out fine, but at a certain point reducing pack weight loses it's practicality and it just becomes a game. I've found that as long as my pack weighs less than 25lbs total, then I'm happy :)

[DuckBoy266]

do you have to have purmission to set up camp in canada?

[iamtheryan]

Wow, 13lbs of food for 5 days? I tend to take maybe 8 pounds for 5 days. I'm curious what other people on here take.

[blackwoodspress]

@iamtheryan Yeah that is a lot of food. This is how much I would pack if I was a couple months into a long thru-hike (about 2.5 lbs and 5,000+ calories per day). For a shorter hike, or nearer to the beginning of a long hike when I still have some fat left on my body I'd usually pack around 2lbs per day.

[VirtuousSnake]

Are you allowed to just set up camp in the middle of the woods? Here in Germany you can get a fine if you're not camping in a public campground.

[blackwoodspress]

@VirtuousSnake Yes, here in the U.S. you can camp anywhere you like (as long as it's not private property or closed for some reason).

[wifebeater756]

@VirtuousSnake i will never pay to sleep in the woods

[afterthefox7]

shouldnt a wallet stay in your pocket

[blackwoodspress]

@afterthefox7 If you have a pocket with a zipper on it or some good velcro that's fine. But if your pocket is open you might sit down to take a break somewhere, and then get up and not notice that you wallet has slipped out until 50 miles later. (I've had that happen before). That's why I keep it in my pack on the trail. But when I get to town I take it out and put it back in my pocket.

[trev4ev2]

haha hes out there with snow in a short sleeve shirt. i would freeze

[iamtheryan]

@trev4ev2 Maybe that's why he keeps sniffing. Although it looks to be melting, it could be in the 70s there. I hiked in Colorado this year in the 70s but there were still several feet of snow on the ground.

[trev4ev2]

@iamtheryan in north carolina we dont get hardly any snow. maybye well get some this year

[zukowitz1]

Very helpful video for myself being a lst timer at this.  My goal would be to eventually keep a pack that weighs no more than 30lbs. Thank you !!!

[phrayzar]

Thanks for posting this, one of the best gear/pack vids on the tube, great channel too.

[foxdhmtbike]

Hello, I tried to look up this pack could you give me a suggestion on where I can find one like this?

[blackwoodspress]

@foxdhmtbike The pack is made by Ultralight Adventure Equipment. You can order them directly from their website. Just Google "ula equipment"

[TheChubbyKid]

Use Resinol for chafing - works so well, doesn't burn.. Just ask your local pharmacy to order it for you, no doctor signature.

[mormanman13]

@TheChubbyKid Resinol or Rosinal (probably not spelled right but the lighter fluid)?

[TheChubbyKid]

@mormanman13 No Resinol - Google it. it's ointment.

[mjhall1812]

I would suggest trying Gold Bond foot powder for chaffing. It isn't painful on the chaff, it's lightweight (you can find a travel size container at target), and it works instantly... there are three types that I know about yellow, green and blue containers... green and blue have a little more kick to them.

[09ssl]

i can really recomment you the german "Deuter" backpacks, they are perfect and the company have a 111 years expirience in building backpacks.

[Bushcraftsurvival]

thanks for the cool video

[Bushcraftsurvival]

thanks for the cool video

[marcclarke01]

Fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to make the video and share your experience with us newbies. :-)

[marcclarke01]

Fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to make the video and share your experience with us newbies. :-)