My Lightweight Journey so far, and gear reviews

[kenny12]

Hi Guys,

I've recently decided to convert to lightweight backpacking and I've been looking for something that's a good compromise between weight and quality.

After lurking in this forum and several us forums, I've decided to look at my "big 4" thats the sleepling pad, sleeping bag, tent and backpack.

Cost was also a bit of an issue, I would love a WM bag, but at 300+ AUD they were just not affordable enough.

Going through seirra trading post, I came across the Lafuma Warm N Light 800 Fill down sleeping bag at a amazing price of $75 usd, with shipping and etc it came at just over $120 AUD, its rated at 0 degrees with a weight of about 900g

Next was the hard choice on backpack and tent, I had almost decided to order a zero pack when I was shopping in the city and I came across some noname sil nylon backpacks that seemed to be very well made, orginally they had frames in them, but at $50 a pop they were cheap enough for me to buy and rip apart. I bought 2, 1 is a very simplistic pack with 35L volume and the other is a 40L pack with a few more compartments and zips. They weighted about 1.2kg and 1.5kg respectivly with the internal frame and bag hood attached. I have since removed both frames and hood and they only weight 750g and 900g respectively.

The other choice for the pack was the golite jam, but these packs, coming in cheaper and with more support won the day, the only wish is for belt pockets on the nobrand packs.

For the tent, I decided early on that a tarptent would be the best balance between cost, quality and weight. I will be occasionally hiking with my girlfriend so a tent for 2 was needed, after taking with tarptent, who has great service, I ended up getting the tarptent double rainbow.

The tent is exellent and I'm getting an amazing amount of headroom for the weight of the tent. One great feature of the tent is the tent poles are long enough compacted that I use them as the backpack frame, giving them a multi use.

Overall depending on which bag I'm using the weight of my big 4 is around the 3-3.5kg mark and I think I will be very happy on my upcoming hike.


Double Rainbow in the foreground, Mantis 2 in the background


Great feature on the DR is its ability to have a rain/sun porch!


35L Pack with sleeping bag, pad and tent


40L Pack with sleeping bag, pad and tent


Amazingly good back support for the weight, infact i think most of the remaining weight is in the back support

[ninjapuppet]

Hi Kenny, where did you get these interesting packs?

I was gonna say that depending on your load, removing a backpack frame may reduce your weight by a few hundred grams, but it can actually lead to increased energy expenditure carrying the pack. But then i read your ingenious method of using the tent poles. Zpacks packs are also compatible with tent poles to be used as a frame.

[kenny12]

These were purchased from Adventure Megastore in Kent St Sydney, I'm not sure if they still have these in stock, I know i bought the last 40L, they may get more?

[Lindsay]

Very interesting Kenny. I too am taking my first steps on the lightweight path and was thinking of a golite pinnacle or jam as a Christmas present to myself, but those packs of yours look just the goods. What brand were they? I may drop by Kent St this week.

[kenny12]

The brand is "Team Summit"

Drop into adventure megastore and talk to gavin, his a ultralight enthusiast himself

[Gavin123]

Kenny,

I'm jealous of your creations, i knew i should of grabbed one myself. Hopefully we get more of these packs this week, If not then early next year. I spoke with the manufacture yesterday who makes packs for numerous brands. We also have some fire-maple products coming in, We are hoping to get all their lightweight stoves and pots.

I'm glad the tent worked out, looks really nice.

The pack might be more comfortable if you roll the sleeping mat on the inside like burrito, to make a soft frame. If you already dont do it.

We should hit the trails sometime. Lightweight themed.

[Gavin123]

does the blue pack look familiar?

http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/ALPSM ... photos.htm

He makes these packs in the same factory.

[Jed]

How have you found the Black Wolf Mantis 2 for hiking?

[kenny12]

hi Jed,

Its not a bad tent, i like the fact that you can compress it alot if you take the poles out and carry the fly / inner between two people. however the Rainbow is more spacious for less weight,

Infact I'm selling my modified mantis II if you are interested

[kenny12]

Hey guys, just an update,

recently went on a trip where i used the tent solo around the snowy mountains.

Base weight was 5kgs for the pack and 9kgs with food and water.

Had a great time and pitched the tent at the saddle of mount townsend & next to the snowy river.

The 2nd day was really windy and the tent was a bit noisy but stood up fine. I did have an issue with the top carbon fiber support pole, its a very very tight fit and i ended up having to do a field modifiation and cut the pole with a serrated knife about 5mm off to fit it in .

still extremely happy with the bag and it performed really well, temperatures dropped in the night to -1.5 and i was still very warm using my down jacket as extra insulation.

[Franco]

"I did have an issue with the top carbon fiber support pole, its a very very tight fit "
Just curious , why did you remove it ?
Franco

[kenny12]

so i can pack it at the bottom off my pack, i remove it and put it on every use.

[Franco]

Ok. I find it easier to carry them in the front pocket or under the lid, so that it is all together .
But I don't have a single pack that has a bottom compartment either...
I have installed a curved cross strut in my Rainbow , just to be different.
Franco

[north-north-west]

Is that the chimney from the old Kunama Lodge?

[Tony]

Hi north-north-west,

Is that the chimney from the old Kunama Lodge?

Formans Hut remains on the Snowy river, near Charlotte's Pass, was their this morning.

Built in the 1920's removed just before the KNP was declared.

Tony

[north-north-west]

Thanks.
Right place, wrong name.

[kenny12]

yup thats foremans hut,

franco, i'm an archer and i have quite a few carbon arrows which can be cut for the top struct, i may use an aluminium / carbon composite in thin diameter just for kicks