trinity
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Post by trinity on May 5, 2024 16:33:07 GMT -8
After many years in my younger days of being able to carry just about any pack weight, I began, in my late 40s, to lighten my load, both with better (lighter nad more expensive) gear and by making do with fewer "luxury" items. Pack weight became my biggest priority, often at the expense of comfort in camp. Now, as I near the end of my 50s, I find myself adding weight in favor of comfort. Specifically, I am finding that a minimalist sleep system is not working as well for me as it once did. I am fine with a minimalist shelter, cook system, etc, but I need more cushion and support for my aging bones. My hammock system works well, when possible, but since I live in Texas, I do most of my camping on the ground, and decided it would be worth upgrading my old Neoair Xlite and Exped pillow. To that end, I have recently purchased a 25 inch wide Big Agnes Rapide and a Nemo Fillo. I can't wait to try them out.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on May 5, 2024 20:13:44 GMT -8
Yep. In my 40s I went to an inflatable mattress in place of a self inflator. Now at 72, I am still searching for ways to lighten my load, but it is now mostly shortening my miles each day, and the number of days food I can carry. 17 years ago I was still trying to carry too much. My advise is this: Listen to your own body and make whatever accommodations necessary to continue to do the things you love, see the places dear to you.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on May 6, 2024 4:07:48 GMT -8
My advise is this: Listen to your own body and make whatever accommodations necessary to continue to do the things you love, see the places dear to you. Very sage advice, thank you!
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on May 6, 2024 4:12:37 GMT -8
I have a Fillo. I believe it is the Ultralight. In the hammock it is the prefect size just a little inflated. In the tent I usually put my extra clothes down under it. I love the cloth top. trinity, which model do you have? I didn't know until a few minutes ago when I checked the Nemo site that they have several models now.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on May 6, 2024 5:18:24 GMT -8
I got the regular Fillo (not the elite). I saw a number of reviews indicating the elite was less comfortable than the regular, and since I was going for plush, I decided I might as well carry the extra ounces.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 6, 2024 9:18:11 GMT -8
I have been working for a long time on that delicate balance between light weight and comfort. Sleeping definitely requires an inflatable, but I’m keeping it pretty light, with either the women’s NeoAir (too narrow but otherwise good) or a cut-down extra-wide NeoAir (perfect but I’m always a bit nervous about the modifications giving out on me. Probably safe if it hasn’t failed by now).
Recently I broke down and bought a 1-lb camp chair, which I can’t afford to carry if I’m out for a week but greatly enjoy on 1-3 night trips. I’m about at the point where the only place to trim weight more is either with less food or by leaving behind my reading and writing stuff—and I really can’t do that 😁
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swiftdream
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Post by swiftdream on May 6, 2024 14:17:44 GMT -8
or by leaving behind my reading and writing stuff—and I really can’t do that 😁 Of course not! lol I keep about 90 ebooks and a dozen audiobooks on my iPhone that is with me at all times. Mostly I use the cameras though and occasionally the gps and one of the more than 20 topo maps. Notes are easy with the Notes app or with Pages, the word processor app. In the recent years I’ve had to greatly reduce my load and even leave the amazing Helinox ground chairs behind, replaced by the cushy and insulation of the Thermarest seat pad which is still 4 oz. I took the thin ccf pad out of my REI Flash 18 and replaced it with a custom cut of a Thermarest Ridgerest with the ridges placed vertically. Placed against a rock that’s the back of my chair. ![](https://i.ibb.co/N777Dp4/IMG-4270.jpg)
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Post by stevet on May 6, 2024 14:33:12 GMT -8
I started my pack weight reductions during my 40's as well, achieving over a ten year period my absolute "minimum" kit weight of 15 lbs. Then the hips started to rebel when lying on a z-rest pad, replace with the wide neoair. Then when hiking in a hat, I'd start to overheat; so added in an umbrella. My shelter was poncho-tarp and bivy, then keep the poncho but add an 8x10 tarp so I am not tied down in continual bad weather. And now am replacing the tarp and bivy with a Durston tent. Etc.
I am giving in grudgingly, but the want of a bit more comfort is worth some weight and my kit has increased by about 3 lbs from its minimum.
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swmtnbackpacker
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on May 6, 2024 14:47:05 GMT -8
I’m down to the Xlite regular being a side sleeper and a quilt with an elastic border that seals out drafts.
So I started down the “enlightened” path but also now ultracompact due to the backlog of trail maintenance. Nothing like over 50 blow-downs to squiggle around/under/over .. think the course would’ve felt right at home during basic training in my late teens, but a little much for my AARP days. Anyways with a smaller, lighter pack made of “Ultra” fabric I can place it easily underhanded below an obstacle or wear it if going over w/dyneema mesh that won’t tangle/tear up.
Cooking is in a titanium pot with the plain MSR Pocket rocket 2 stove = pretty fuel efficient in wind without being too much if needing to boil water. Looking at “wraps” if going cold (no stove).
If I ever get back to winter hikes where it’s cold I may need to buy larger volume, but think it’ll be mostly water-resistant down assuming I’ll be still hiking all day.
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Post by va3pinner on May 6, 2024 16:34:48 GMT -8
I'm with y'all. 70. and lightening the load. My problem is, I have a system that has worked for me for 50 years or so, and I tend to stick to it. Keep trying to eliminate things (and I have eliminated some), but end up missing something that goes back in the pack, but hopefully a lighter version. But sometimes it aint. For example, my favorite tent for a very long time has been the Tarptent Scarp1. Perfect size for me, it's weathered all kinds of storms without flinching, I just like it. Decided to try something lighter, went with a Stratospire 1, a trekking pole tent. It was Great! light, huge vestibules, but I couldn't use my trekking poles with it set up. So I bought an adjustable pole so I would at least have one trekking pole. It has a big footprint. Sometimes I could only set it up one way because of the area I chose to set up. There were other 'issues' that just bugged me so I sold it. Decided I like hoop style tents best, so I just purchased a Tarptent Moment DW. Many similarities to the Scarp, but about a pound lighter. So we'll see. Where I DID make some big changes was my camera gear. I take photography seriously, but that kit was getting out of hand.Found a very light weight chest mounted pouch to carry the camera & eliminated some items I just didn't use that much. Really cut the weight down there.
Another area I am always fussing with is my kitchen. I like wide bottom anodized aluminum pots. Fast heat up. but bulky. For a couple decades I used a GSI Kettelist - a 700ml tea pot with a nesting bowl & cup. I tried going trendy with Titanium. It was certainly light, and smaller, but I could never master cooking anything in it. And for some reason, it seems the aluminum heats faster which saves fuel. I was given an MSR 1.3 L non stick pot recently that I'll test out this year. I don't quite rival Sarbar and her pot collection, but i'm getting there!
Last change is still a bit of a conundrum for me. My GPS has internal battery. Needs a power bank. I can charge the camera with a power bank, and just got a headlamp that also has internal battery. So instead of carrying extra batteries for all of those, I just carry the power bank. Still unsure if I saved any weight there at all. Now I'm looking at replacing my ULA Catalyst with a Circuit as my main bag. Keep the Catalyst as a winter bag (If I ever go winter camping again.) It's a fun cycle. The weight is going down, but the $ per ounce is rising rapidly!!!
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zeke
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Post by zeke on May 6, 2024 17:37:12 GMT -8
va3pinner A Circuit, you say? From a trip a few years ago with others from this board. 3 hikers, 3 Circuits from different years. Embroidered logo art was the main difference ![](https://i.ibb.co/5hkKvBR/IMG-1378.jpg)
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 7, 2024 6:30:52 GMT -8
zeke, my Circuit has some bright yellow straps which don’t show in the photo. IIRC the two older packs did not ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by va3pinner on May 7, 2024 15:01:55 GMT -8
Can't find it now - kind in a hurry, somebody here said 'always one more thing" Reminds me of an electrician I worked with that was always flying out of a house about 5 minutes before quitting time shouting "One more thing... It's always just one more, one more thing,,,,Just one more!! and he'd disappear back inside.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on May 7, 2024 16:00:15 GMT -8
zeke , my Circuit has some bright yellow straps which don’t show in the photo. IIRC the two older packs did not ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I was looking at the ULA website last week. It shows two strap options for the Circuit to enable carrying some gear externally. Would it be one of those?
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on May 8, 2024 9:33:18 GMT -8
zeke , my Circuit has some bright yellow straps which don’t show in the photo. IIRC the two older packs did not ![:)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) I was looking at the ULA website last week. It shows two strap options for the Circuit to enable carrying some gear externally. Would it be one of those? No, it’s just yellow straps for the top tie-down. Not a new model anymore—we bought ours in 2018, I think.
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