Glen Van Peski. Take Less, Do More. Ultralight backpacking and bikepacking

[@pootlingalong8928]

I’d say to everyone start with a list of what you need - e.g. tent, mat, sleeping bag, small stove set. Then add the “like to haves”. It’s astonishing what you can get your pack down to. I have a Brompton and can get everything for weeks on the road into one bag on the front of the bike and a few small items into a very small Carradice bag on the back of the saddle. I love travelling light 🤗

[@slainelow]

Watching now. Looks interesting. I am constantly trying to take less: cycling, hiking and living, so this is of great interest. "The contented person, who possesses nothing, owns the world." - Thich Nhat Hanh.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

The book feels very American, and I don't mean that disparagingly. It is very good (I got a PDF before the interview)

[@dermotadrianbreen583]

The awesome legend that is Glen Van Peski. This fella was a massive influence for me back in the day regarding gear selection, campcraft & hiking technique. I've heard trail stories of him cleaning his teeth with Dr Bronners peppermint soap, rather than take tooth paste! Hardcore! & dispensing with underwear, because his shorts had liners in them! Radical! Like his take on generosity & gratitude too, very Zen. Yes, I still have an old GoLite Pinnacle backpack. Brilliant interview, thanks Simon

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

We took an eye dropper bottle of his Dr Bronner's (he decanted some for us) on the PCT and used it the whole way, washing hands after ablutions to stay healthy, and yes to brush teeth. I tried it again recently and it was disgusting - I wonder if the formulation has changed?

[@dermotadrianbreen583]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Well done, you're a braver man than me. It's possible the formula has change- it tastes very soapy. I'll stay with the toothpaste tablets. Yes, still carry eye dropper bottle of Dr Bronners for ablutions etc.

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

As a young man I used to do regular trips to the French Alps. Being cautious I always carried basic bivi gear and, guess what, always ended up bivi-ing. After watching the local mountaineers carefully, I noticed they carried pretty much half of what I had. A great chat with a guide got me sorted with the safe minimum. If caught out by weather or the like, you’d survive but as you were travelling light, you were more probably going to be off the mountain & in a hut. From then on I was bagging peaks and really enjoying myself. Going quickly, getting the routes done & back to the hut or camp for tea & medals. Definitely, over think & over equipping can spoil your day.

[@stevelindley2041]

As an Ultra cyclist a lot of my weight comes in the form of electrics and tools for the bike. But I would rather take a few extra ounce if it means keeping warm and dry. Especially when sleeping out. Buying the lightest is not always the best option.

[@davidalderson7761]

There are a lot of people doing ultra cycling DONT take safe kit with them. The mind boggles at it. They also ride excessive hours which puts them and the general public at risk too much. It needs to be regulated probably by organisers insurance companies and the governments.

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

its amazing how little you need in reality . good legs & mindset will get you further than any equipment.but we need to remember its a fine line between ultralite & safety on long trips 😊

[@rogerhart612]

This video was awesome. Job well done. 👏 👏

[@davidfarquhar3917]

I had a similar sleeping bag - a Macpac Neve back in the 90s. Lightweight with only down on top and a slot for sleeping mat underneath. A great bag

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

It seems the new Rab Mythic 120 does this too.

[@PuddledPete]

Very interesting. I'll definitely order the Audio Book once it's available,

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

www.audible.co.uk/pd/Take-Less-Do-More-Audiobook/B0CZSB4VGF

[@PuddledPete]

@alwaysanotheradventure got it already and well into it. Thanks Simon.

[@davidalderson7761]

I recently did Eastern Europe and I had in my mind maybe someone somewhere would help me out finding things or sleeping or washing as I spent 23 of the 26 days out in the woods. 1. Free sleep in a lodge. 2. Free dinner and sleep in a farm. 3. Given some very careful safety advice where wolves lived. I offered nothing In return at the time ……they got a box of chocolates posted from Kennedy’s chocolate factory in Cumbria.

[@bobwightman1054]

The easiest way to cut down what you take is to make a pile of what you took on your last trip and divide it into three: Pile one is the emergency stuff, first aid kit, tools/repair kit. Generally stuff you are going to take whatever (but it's possible to cut this down as well) Pile two is the stuff you used. Pile three is the stuff you didn't use. On your next trip you don't take anything that was in pile three. It doesn't take long until you are at *your* optimum. Then, and only then, do you start thinking about buying lighter/less bulky/whatever versions of what you have. We all have our strengths and weaknesses so I'll cut out stuff in my strong areas so that I can concentrate on the weaker ones - I always take a dry set of base layer clothes for camp, they are used for NOTHING ELSE - that way I know that no matter what weather I've been through I have something dry to put on at the end of the day. Also worth remembering that the ultra-light setups that get bandied about are for *summer* conditions. Come winter time you take what you need.

[@daveebert7747]

The comment he made about his personal style regarding his desire to keep moving shouldn't be over looked. I do everything reasonable to keep my weight down without compromising MY personal style. I like to sit around drinking coffee in the morning, hence my puffy jacket and Helinox chair zero. I can't sleep well without a wide/long quilt and inflatable sleeping pad.

[@andrewbell4332]

Rab has just released a bag with no down on the bottom, the Mythic Ultra 120. It’s zero rated if paired with the right mat. Should be good for bike packing and ultralight backpacking.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

I should have known that - I've been doing some stuff recently with Rab. Thanks very much for pointing it out.

[@andrewbell4332]

@@alwaysanotheradventure no problem, I have the new ultrasphere sleep mat on order, looking to get the new bag a later date. I don’t live to far from Rab HQ, so use a lot their products.

[@fergy1ful]

Interesting stuff and I've preordered the Kindle version (well, it weighs less....!). It's good to hear this take on gear as well as life. I've really been questioning my attitude to gear lately; I've got too much of it and it all takes time to charge, clean, service, etc. Sometimes I feel I do more of that than actually use it. My wife comments that I pretty much wear the same clothes on a short rotation so why do have all the rest in the wardrobe? - and it's a fair question. Now semi-retired, I am looking for more ways of giving my time and (limited) skills for free rather than for reward as I do find that more fulfilling so I am looking forward to reading the 'lessons' in the book for more pointers on this way of life.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Glen REALLY made me think about kit when we sat around in his house before our PCT hike. Reading this 22 years later, he has done it again. Naturally I don't agree with everything, but above all, he makes you think.

[@simonthompson2350]

Next time you're south of the border, check out Ultralight Outdoor Gear, just off the A19.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Ah it's in Billingham. I'm pretty sure I've bought stuff from there.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

Hey Simon - just about to order a sleeping pad from you.

[@simonthompson2350]

@@alwaysanotheradventure I don't own the shop, just a happy customer.

[@michaellupton1593]

Agree with the philosophy of having less stuff etc.. and I have definitely taken too much gear cycle touring and backpacking. Takes me ages gathering stuff together, then discarding things then adding them again, then taking them out. If I don’t use something then it loses take ability for the next trip… however, certain things save a trip.. tools, change of clothes etc plus and this is just my choice.. I do like some creature comforts. I do not want to live like a Trappist monk, life should be enjoyable and fun . I will buy his book, not take it with me though as I’d have to cut the pages out .

[@treebs1423]

Is the audio version going to be released later Simon because I can’t find it on pre order just the ebook and hard copy (Apple or Amazon)

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

The audio books usually come out after the print /e-book versions, so if it is going to be available here it will be some time after 16th April. I'd ask Glen but he didn't know whether any of them would be available outside the US😁. Simon and Schuster are the distributors (their website offers a free eBook if you register) and Forefront books is the publisher.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

www.audible.co.uk/pd/Take-Less-Do-More-Audiobook/B0CZSB4VGF

[@treebs1423]

@@alwaysanotheradventure Thank you Simon

[@welshpaddler]

I own a go lite tent!

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

They were the pyramid ones?

[@domt5298]

I drilled holes in my spoon for my last trip.

[@carldeeley5454]

Just don't drill holes in your mug!😂

[@peterbedford2610]

Less is more?

[@weeringjohnny]

Glen's ideas might jive with a guilty and at once entitled section of the American middle class but less to the countless millions around the world just trying to survive. Philosophy aside, I think there's a big distinction between backpacking and bikepacking weight. When the load is on your back you feel every ounce. But in cycling the data suggests that each extra kilo will only slow you down by a minute or two over a hilly 100 km ride. This means you might take some more stuff, wisely chosen, to be better sheltered from the elements, to eat fresher food or sleep more comfortably. All that increases the fun and well-being and removes nothing from the less-is-more conviction. But I still have half a toothbrush. Please do what I say, not what I do.

[@davidalderson7761]

Taking less - “from the planet”!, when people do all this hemp shirt merino wool seen by Amazonian tribeswomen and drink tofu coffee or whatever and bamboo sandles stuff but fly to the other side of the world, “it takes it doesn’t give”. Unless they genuinely offset the FULL cost.

[@slainelow]

First! Yeah, I know. childish, but I hear the comments help.

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

🤣