Appalachian Trail Ultralight Tips

High Country Adventures talks to Wes Stanforth about his recent thru-hike of the AT. Wes employed an ultralight technique that allowed him to take a fast and light approach to his hike. Excerpt from Episode 5.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Appalachian Trail
• thru hike
• ultralight
• Wes stanforth
• backpacking
• AT
• Damascus
• fast and light

[chitown1966]

Thanks for all the Information. every little bit helps me plan.

[BrokenAeroVT]

@pinemanj "I use a trimmed ridgerest and sleep just fine." Some people notice their age worse on a pad. It worked best 4 me on soft ground, but on the floor of a shelter, it just wasn't thick enough 4 me. "Alcohol stoves are heavier, in the long run, than canister stoves, not to mention less convenient." With a 5 day resupply, u can save about 8oz over a canister stove & fuel. Gas cartridges can't be sent USPS & that makes them inconvenient IMO. That limits u to expensive trail outfitters.

[BrokenAeroVT]

@saberman12341 You carry all of those things (except firestarter--you use an alcohol burner). He just probably didn't think they were importeant enough to mention. UL for me is about 11 lbs of gear and 10 lbs of food for 5 day resupplies. Gear can change depending on the climate though. If your pace is fast enough, you can schedule to avoid needing heavier gear for freezing climates.

[BrokenAeroVT]

@chitown1966 1) There are plenty of hostels&hotels along the way with showers, but 1oz of Bronners soap, plastic net-ball scrubber, Gatorade tub, wine bag & a ground cloth to hide behind suffice. 2) Coin Laundries along the trail are indicated in the Through-Hiker Companion but are also at hotels & hostels. 3) Mailed General Delivery to self or hitch to town grocers. 4) Bring maps 4 The White Mtns where they often use the old trail names instead of AT & blazes are sometimes faded or missing.

[saberman12341]

No First Aid? No knife? No personal bag Tooth paste and brush etc.? No water bottle and purification system? Firestarter? I can think of many other things missing. Just trying to figure out this whole UL mindset.

[chitown1966]

where do you stop to wash up? laundry? re supply for food? is the trail always clearly marked?

[DigitalCard]

very nice.



[rmoran113]

Did the solar charger get enough sun to charge on the trail? How was cell signal on trail?

[pinemanj]

Have you tried using different closed cell foam pads? How do you know you need an inflatable mattress for a good night's sleep? I use a trimmed ridgerest and sleep just fine. Alcohol stoves are heavier, in the long run, than canister stoves, not to mention less convenient. It makes you feel good that other people weren't able to complete their hikes? Hmmm

[Domodeath]

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