“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” ~ John Muir

Backpacking Products

Backpacking is a treat. Being totally self-contained is a very liberating feeling. You can see more without having to make it back to the car at a certain time. It does require more thought, planning, and gear… which is part of the fun.

Get fitted for the proper pack is important. Internal frame packs allow load bearing closer and at a lower center of gravity. Pack volume determines the amount of gear you can take with you. Balancing use/weight/convenience is the task for deciding whether to take something with you or not.

In 2001 Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) was started by Pacific Crest Trail hiker Brian Frankle, who saw a need for durable yet light weight backpacking equipment. Nine years later nearly half the hikers completing this arduous 2650 mile trail are carrying a ULA pack.

ULA is one of the few remaining U.S. based backpack companies who manufacture in house.
The factory in Logan Utah enables them to be extremely responsive to the Customers ever changing needs.   

The Circuit, at 36ozs and 4200cu is a great consideration for your next pack. You’ll have to keep the weight down to 40lbs though. That’ll force you to be efficient.  Look at the bright side…maybe you can start to replace that old gear you’ve had forever!

As you look at your gear keep in mind the weight issues. Your tent, sleeping bag and kitchen represent the most obvious places to cut weight.

The Big Agnes UL2 tent is… 2lbs 10ozs

  • Three season, free standing, ultralight backpacking tent
  • DAC Featherlite NSL pole system with press fit connectors and lightweight hubs – featuring eco-friendly anodizing
  • All DAC poles made from TH72M aluminum: the latest technology in lightweight tent poles featuring improved durability
  • Fly is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating
  • Floor is ultralight silicone treated nylon rip-stop with a 1200mm waterproof polyurethane coating
  • Tent body is ultralight breathable nylon rip-stop and polyester mesh

 Western Mountaineering offers very technical goose down sleeping bags naturally light and compressible.

At just 1 lb 3 oz., the SummerLite is the lightest bag made with a continuous baffle construction. The goal, in designing this bag, was to make it as light as possible without eliminating key features or function. The result is a fully-baffled bag that weighs only 19 ozs and features a full-length zipper with insulated draft protection! The SummerLite is a dream come true for lightweight backpacking fanatics.

 

There is something special about being totally self contained…once you’ve been backpacking, you’ll never forget it.