When you go backpacking, the weight that you bring in is an important issue. As much as possible, backpacking calls for ultra light backpacking to give you maximum mobility.
There are several tips you can follow to reduce the weight you’re carrying when you’re backpacking.
Veteran campers learned this through experience: the key to ultra light backpacking is to pack only the most necessary items. Years of camping will enable you to distinguish what things are the ones that may seem like you need but you don’t and the ones that you really do need. For now, stick to what your common sense tells you to bring and be sure that you pack in your bag gears that are needed for the specific locations and purposes. For example if you’re camping in a hot summer day, of course a jacket would be a total waste of space in your
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Aside from the basic essentials such as first aid kit and emergency supplies, you must opt to choose camping gears that are lighter in weight. For instance, choose the smaller flashlight over the big one especially if they emit just the equal strength of light beam. It is also a great idea to pack camping gears that serve more than one purpose. A Swiss knife is a good example of a light and multi purpose camping gear.
For more internal frame back packs, when you pack your other necessities like shampoo, medications, lotion, fuel and others, be sure to transfer them in smaller and lightweight containers in amounts that you will need for the duration of the camping trip adding only a bit extra for emergency.
Also for extra weight off your backpack, it would be best to just use your backpack or your extra shirt for pillows when you sleep. Candles are also great to bring since they are lightweight and has multitude of uses: can be a source of light, wax can be used as waterproof coating.
Another technique for ultra light backpacking is to look for lightweight or
and sleeping cots. To reduce weight even further, you may want to cut off cords or strings that are unnecessary as this has been proven to dramatically decrease some weight.
Food and drinks are a big component in your pack weight that’s why for ultra light backpacking, it is important that you plan your meals and write a menu so that you know which exact food, ingredients and cookware you need to bring to minimize the possibility of bringing things you don’t need. Choose meals that you don’t have to cook to lessen the fuel you have to bring. Opt for lightweight food, cookware and utensils like plastic bowls. It is good to use a spork which is a combination of spoon and fork to minimize weight.
Remember, when backpacking, being ultra light weight is the secret for a more enjoyable camping trip.
