The Evolution Of Backpacking: Past And Present – Hey ribs! Yep, here’s another post about pack weight and gears. If you read my intro post, then you know that I got my first taste of backpacking back in 2012-2013. The concept of “ultralight” didn’t exist for me, and I almost remember my backpack weighing over 45 pounds (vomit). Now I know there are some “super heavies” that do their job. See you! I’ve seen people carry huge packs with every trinket, pot, pan, fishing rod, camp chair, you name it, and still do. peace be upon you
Does any of this sound familiar? Some old-timers hand me backpacking memorabilia from the 1900s. In case some of you are wondering, that Olicamp stainless pot comes in at 13.4 oz.! I really thought I needed a plate and bowl at home.
The Evolution Of Backpacking: Past And Present
Below you will see a respectable gear plan. Not too bad for my first hike. I took more than I needed and wasn’t too concerned about the base weight. I honestly used to scoff at “Ounce hardware”. I had some affordable gear and still finished the hike in 10.5 days. In 2020 I didn’t bother making a list of style packs because I thought it was unnecessary work and people who do it probably have a lot of time on their hands. I recently weighed all the gear I got and my base weight is 22 lbs.
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This photo amuses me tenkara fishing rod, paper maps, raincoat, pocket shower and pan. Never used them.
That year, I did a quick backpacking trip up the Ruby Crest Trail. Since it was so short (43 miles) I didn’t try to lose weight and my baseline was about 20 pounds. I still got that damn pan! Never used it on either trip.
Ah, the Colorado Trail. For this hike, I had a tough 3 weeks to cover 500 miles plus a few miles along the way. I was determined to finish the route in my time frame, so I immediately started a light pack. The winter leading up to that super light bug I caught an ounce count. I changed a lot of things and left that pan and pocket shower at home! I dropped my base weight to 8.95 pounds and saw how I could drop even more. Boy, was I in for a rude awakening.
You see, Colorado doesn’t give you anything during the monsoon season if you don’t like hiking in the rain.
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While I knew it was monsoon season, 2021 was an exceptional year for rainfall. Every time it rained. single. A few backpackers left the trail that day, and everyone I spoke to was also tired of the rain.
I learned that “ultralight” means thinner, lighter, less durable and waterproof. However, when it comes to weight loss, it serves its purpose. One of the biggest factors that got me to Durango (besides my will) was the weight of my pack.
Hola! I’m at the top of Mount Albert 14, 440 feet with a backpack. People would say, “It’s smaller than my day pack,” or ask, “Day hiking or backpacking?”
Every year in my refresher course we watch this bunker deployment video about how “you can move up to 30% faster without a pack”. It’s Common Sense By reducing my base weight, I found that I was able to walk 20-30 miles a day several days in a row, and my biggest was 33.2 in San Juans. For existing FKTs, I know these miles are chunk change. For me, I was very proud of myself. The Colorado Trail turned me into an official ounce counter and ultralight (UL) backpacker, with some exceptions…
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Trying to take pictures alone can be challenging at times. I use two rubber bands and attach my phone to one of my climbing poles that I stick in the ground or use for rock support. I believe that is the lake down there.
Last year on the Tahoe Rim Trail I made some minor changes to my gear list. I learned that I need better rain gear. This is something I was not prepared for in Colorado and I never wanted to be that cold, wet and miserable again. I increased my weight to 11.05 pounds, including a bear can, and traded my Montbell Versalite for a Black Diamond Stormline Stretch.
My raincoat might be my favorite piece of gear. It’s all about layering. Sometimes I wear it at night or first thing in the early morning when it’s hot but not cool enough for my puff. It also serves as a good defense against flying demon minions when trying to eat a meal.
I won’t be saying goodbye to the Montbell Versalite, as I will most likely be leaving for the Sierra High Route later this summer. I’ve also added some Body Wrappers dance pants for those chilly mornings and the occasional rain. If you own dance pants, you know you’re UL! I have a good idea of what I will be consuming and my base weight is less than 12 pounds, including a can of bear. You can check out what gear I use by clicking on the gear list tab on my author page.
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I’m getting a new pack by Atom Packs-The Atom RE40, but I sure love my Mountainsmith-Zerk 40. The Zerk 40 is the most comfortable pack I’ve ever worn. Jogging style belts distribute the weight differently and I don’t get sore backs like I did with the Waymark Gear Co.-Mile 30 (I have the older version). I really wanted to like that package, but it just didn’t work for me.
Atom Packs – The Atom RE40. Excited to test this baby out on some Shakedown hikes. We will talk more about it in future posts.
That means you don’t need to be “super light” (10 pounds or less base weight) to be a successful backpack, but you’ll have more fun when you’re not lugging around a heavy pack. I can definitely feel the difference between 22 pounds and 9 pounds.
These days, I’m right at the peak of ultralight and lightweight. It depends on where I’m going and I need the bear can, so it fluctuates. My base is usually 10-12 pounds and the whole pack weighs about 26 pounds when I’m on the trail.
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Zpacks-Arc Zip Ultra 62L Backpack. It’s very comfortable but it’s too much of a package for me. The pack weighed 39.22 pounds when it arrived at the trailhead.
If you’re new to backpacking, start with what you already have and trade up or upgrade as much as you can. Don’t let that number or labels like “very heavy,” “lightweight,” or “ultralight” get you too hung up or lose sleep. Maybe you’re okay with carrying an extra 2 pounds or those camp shoes are worth it. If you’re going for FKT, can’t carry more than 20 pounds for medical reasons, or just want to go UL, there are some great posts on how to lighten your pack. I found Jupiter Hikes to have some of the best UL knowledge around. For many of us, just having a successful hike is the goal. Go out and do it with whatever gear you have, find what works for you and go have fun!
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Hi, I’m Kelly from Eastern Nevada. A forester by day and a trash climber part time, I share my adventures one vacation or weekend request at a time. I’m hiking the South Sierra High Trail in 2023. You can follow my journey on The Trek and Instagram @nevada_pines. Happy walking! From ‘Book Strap’ to ‘Burrito’: The History of the School Backpack: Ed Backpacks and textbooks are a match made in heaven. But not long ago, students were walking to school clutching their books.
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My editor, Steve Drummond, isn’t that old. He’s from Michigan – Wayne Memorial High School, class of ’79.
But when he starts talking about backpacks, he puts on a “back in my day” tone that makes you think of a rocking chair and squeaky hangers: “You know, Lee, when I was at school No one had a backpack!
“You just hugged your books.” He says this as if he were talking about sending telegrams in Morse code. “No one really thought about it, that’s what you did.”
Right then, I started tuning him out. I think he talked about how our phones are glued to our hands or something.
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But this is true. I’m one of those younger people and I can’t go to school without myself