A couple of blog posts ago I talked about Ultralight backpacking and the equipment I will be taking to Europe. (see Ultralight_backpacking). Ultralight backpacking is simply taking the lightest gear necessary to do the trip.
Above is a picture of what is called the Shelter System. From the left the long green item is actually a bivy sack, which covers the sleeping bag on the right to prevent rain and dew from getting the bag wet. Unlike a bivy such as a swag made out of canvas, this bivy is made by Backpacking Light and weighs 159 grams.If it's not raining, most hikers will just sleep in the bivy and not bother pitching a tent or a tarp.
Moving onto the grey item that is rolled up on the left. This is just a foam pad that lies under the torso area. Not as comfortable as an inflatable mattress, but adequate on soft ground, and weighs only 50 grams. You might like to invest in something more comfortable, and accept the added weight for a good night's sleep.
The long green item on the right of the picture is a sleeping bag, or more correctly a sleeping bag quilt made again by Backpacking Light. It weighs only 678 grams and rolls up quite small. A good sleeping bag is probably going to be the most expensive item of your kit, and cost anywhere between $200 - $300.
The blue item on top is a silk liner from Khatmandu. I know it's a little luxurious, but there are practical reasons for choosing silk. Most people use a sleeping bag liner made out of sheet type material, and again that is a matter of personal choice.
The little item in the top right of the picture is a rolled up Poncho/Tarp that weighs 210 grams. Now the tarp is simply just like the fly part of a tent without the walls, and care needs to be taken on where to pitch it. Of course it's not as strong as a tent, so if I was going somewhere more extreme, or in winter, I would consider a lightweight tent.
Putting the whole Shelter System together with the backpack then we can see the advantages of going Ultralight:
Ultralight Golite Backpack (see below) - 880 grams
Sleeping bag - 640 grams
foam sleeping bag 50 grams
Bivy 159 grams
Liner 50 grams
Total: 1.77 kg.
So, today we can bring our whole weight down for our main items to an incredible 1.77 kg, which was unheard of in the past. It's possible to go even lighter, but I hope this explains the system in action.
On the Camino, and in Europe most people sleep in Hostels or Hiking Huts, but if you take your hking gear you always have the option of camping, if for example the accomodation is not available, or simply to save money. It's good idea in life to always have the most options available, and carrying your hiking gear, particularly when it doesn't weigh all that much, gives you more options.
I'll talk about the other equipment at a later date, and have more information on my Europe trip.
