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How to Cut Backpack Weight
Your plans for that great adventure are set. A remote destination is awaiting. You've invited your best friends and the food has all been purchased.
The only problem is you have to carry everything on your back; first aid gear, food and cooking utensils, clothing, tents, etc... Not only do you have to carry it, but how are you going to fit it all into your backpack?
Experts recommended beginner's only carry about 25% of their bodyweight and for ultra-light backpackers that would be punishable by death. So how can we lighten your load?
Well, heres the 6 fundamentals to cutting backpack weight:
Fundamental #1 - Heaviest things first. Get rid of your tent and use a tarp. You can save 8 pounds right off the bat by using a 1 pound trap. Use dehydrated food. Food is one of the heaviest items you'll carry and with new technology the flavors are getting better all the time, so do some taste testing and find out what you like.
Fundamental #2 - Find multiple uses for one item. The more uses you can find for one item the less items you'll have to take.
Fundamental #3 - Find the lightest and smallest gear you can. Take a smaller LED flashlight or headlamp, consider taking an old Gatorade bottle instead of those big wide- mouth Lexan bottles. And don't forget lightweight cook pots or just one pot and use zip-lock bags to mix and eat in. By themselves these substitutions may not seem like much, but in combination they add up.
Fundamental #4 - Get rid of that big backpack. With a big backpack you have a tendancy to fill it, but with a smaller backpack, you just don't have the room. Hence, you'll usually be a little more picky about what you bring.
Fundamental #5 - Just don't bring it. If you don't pack it you cut the weight for that item by 100%.
Fundamental #6 - Analyze what you take. Finally, take time before, during, & after each hike to inventory your gear and packing habits. Keep equipment lists and analyze what you used and didn't use at the end of every trip. You may be surprised at the amount of unnecessary weight that you carry. In time, you will see patterns and ways to shave weight, but keep in mind it is a process and takes some time to get the hang of it.
That reminds me of a backpacking buddy I had that would bring every thing and the kitchen sink. He was a nice guy and would always share if someone didn't have something, so I started not bringing things and just borrowed his.
He had extra cooking pots, food, and clothing. But, as the saying goes all good things must come to an end, he finally decided to go lightweight, darn it.
Hopefully these tips can help take the burden off your back.
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