GENERAL CONCEPTS
When I helped teach an avalanche and survival skills course a few years
back, students had a rare opportunity to see what was inside the instructors'
pack. After I tore apart mine, piece by piece, I was eager to see what my fellow
wilderness educators carried. All of us had common items and wildly different
ones, especially with regards to survival, first aid, and repair gear. Years
previous, I had embraced the "light is right" maxim; by unloading my pack and
looking at the others, I critically reevaluated my gear and shed even more
ounces.
Light is right is not a new concept. With lighter gear, one has less energy
expenditure which can translate to a safer and more fun trip. A mountaineering
style has been developed around it. Several books address the dictum. Long
distance hikers perfect the concept.
Probably the most famous light-is-right guru is Ray Jardine. As a climber,
Jardine put up the first 5.13 in the U.S. and invented the Friend, the world's first
spring-loaded camming device for rock climbing. As a long distance hiker, he
started making his own gear when high-tech equipment became overbuilt and
over-accessorized for his needs. Similarly, alpine style mountaineering uses
these techniques.
Traveling light has risk. Sometimes light gear sacrifices durability,
performance or both (but not always). Sometimes light gear is more expensive
(but not always). And leaving heavy or surplus gear at home may not always be
wise, especially if one is not skilled in traveling light in the wilderness.
If you are interested in going light, the first step is to shed weight from your
existing pack. Do you need a freeze dried meal and stove for a one-night trip or
will a cold sandwich do? Can you get by with iodine tablets instead of a purifier?
A bivy sac eliminates the weight and bulk of a tent. In summer, try sleeping out
with just a tarp or a sleeping bag. Some items you may decide to leave home
such as a spare basket for your pole or a sewing kit to repair your pack. Other
tools you must bring, like an avalanche beacon on winter ski trips. Look around
your garage, you may already have some light gear. Two years ago, I shelved
my fancy snowboard backpack and dug out my basic rucksack; it is about half
the weight.
Second, if you buy new gear, pay attention to weight. Heavy backpacks
often have accessories or special pockets you don't absolutely need. Parkas and
pants can be heavy if they are made from thick fabric or have lots of pockets.
Look for light boots, skis, snowboards, tents, filters, and stoves. Shop wisely
though. The all-aluminum ice ax and crampons are tempting, but will they
withstand years of hard use? With some gear I am unwilling to sacrifice the
weight, for example I won't trade my metal avalanche shovel for a plastic one. I
did however get a shorter, lighter handle and a smaller blade.
It is worth noting that you may be more likely to carry something small and
light especially if you don't expect to use it. For example, instep crampons or ski
crampons sacrifice performance of full-frame front pointers but are much lighter
especially for occasional use on nontechnical ascents when they spend most of
