Ep. 1 Ultralight Backpacking for Beginners (and Surprising Life Lessons!)

Ultralight Backpacking is more of a mindset than a number on a scale. This way of thinking can be simplified to certain rules and these rules have benefits not just for backpacking, but also for the way we live our lives. This is the first in a series of videos about these principals of Ultralight Backpacking. My goal here is not to be telling people how they should be backpacking or that their way is wrong, but simply to offer suggestions about how to lighten the load with the ultimate goal of increasing your enjoyment of wilderness adventures. And, since I’m a mental health counselor in my day job, I’ll be adding some thoughts about how these ideas translate to life in general.
Let me know in the comments if you find this useful so I can gauge whether to make more videos like this one. Thanks!

[@pteddy21]

Very helpful, well done. Don't often hear people within this genre speaking on this topic. Additionally, I greatly appreciate your videos because of your preparedness. A transcript is incredible. Imagine ....no wasted words on a video!!!!

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! It really helps to hear that all the effort that goes into the making of a video is appreciated. Cheers!

[@andymytys]

“Don’t pack your fears” is much easier to do in conditions you’re familiar with. If you’ve never been to a certain area of the country or season of the year, it’s hard to get around “packing your fears” and probably not advisable. Especially in the mountains miles and passes away from the nearest road. You’ve got to respect nature and I believe it’s prudent to over-prepare until you gain the necessary experience to start cutting back. Recent trip reports are great sources for intel if you have them. Sources where hikers put in frequent notes on conditions like FarOut are excellent. The “water sources on the map” aren’t all the same. I’m from Michigan and I f there’s a creek on a local trail map, I can count on it flowing year round. This same rule doesn’t apply nationwide. As an example, on the southern Appalachian Trail, water sources on the map often go dry. So just looking at one map and projecting my experience from one part of the country to another can be disastrous, if focusing on a minimum load. While I don’t necessarily have to carry three liters of water, it only takes an extra two ounces of pack weight to have three liters of capacity versus one.

[@ShastaBubba]

I like your point about getting to know an area well before trying to cut out things that might be unnecessary there. Understanding the terrain/climate/conditions may well be the number one rule for all backpacking!

[@jasonweaver1157]

Well said. Last year I planned a paddle that didn't end up happening. At the time I felt there were legitimate reasons I postponed the trip, but in hindsight I let my fears get so heavy that I overthought it and never got out there. This year I'm giving it another go

[@ShastaBubba]

Reading this comment made my day! Glad you found it useful and happy trails/waves on your adventure!!

[@stratotastasound]

Nice video! Its pleasant to hear more about mental side of UL backpacking, not about numbers of weight and THINGS TO BUY)

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks a ton, glad you found it useful!

[@andymytys]

One tip I have is to take notes on the conditions in the field where you’ve recognized you’ve carried too much. It’s really easy to forget and make the same mistake twice, especially when traveling to where the season is different than your local conditions. For example, I packed a rain jacket for a Florida backpacking trip in March. In my area, daytime temps were below freezing. Daytime highs in the 60s didn’t sound that warm. If I had taken and paid attention to past field notes, I would have had a rule that said “don’t pack a rain jacket for backpacking in temps over 60 F - way too hot to be wearing a non-breathable layer and you’ll sweat it out.” Without specific notes, I would never pack a rain jacket for temps in the 80s, but 60s just doesn’t sound that warm. Suddenly, I’m making not only a mistake in weight, but also solution. Better to take a lightweight umbrella.

[@ShastaBubba]

Great idea to take trip notes! I've done this for years, including things live drive time to the TH and conditions at different times of year and it's been a great resource in planning future outings.

[@wanttogo1958]

Nicely done. I have believed ever since I learned of the more recently contrived term of “ultralight” that the 10lb base weight was arbitrary and probably only safely achievable for many on short, summer hikes when temperatures are mild. Then there’s the mind game of “worn weight” that to me is the near equivalent of “cheating on the test”. It all goes with you up the hill and down the other side if it’s on your body somewhere. I agree with you, especially for those who are taller/larger in size, that 15 or so pounds as a reasonable target 🎯 for paring down the weight of your gear makes a lot more sense. Your quiet the mind technique is something I taught myself to do many years ago and it certainly does work. I’m looking forward to your next installment to this series.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! Totally agree with the 'worn weight' cheat.

[@O.Shawabkeh]

Not what I expected, it turned out a great psychology lesson. Personally I'm on and off in worrying, generally. That stems from past experiences I guess, and depends on many factors like your skill sets, connections, physical and mental endurance. But yeah, thank you for that reminder to stop worrying (and overthinking), as the energy cost is just too high to bear.

[@ShastaBubba]

"Energy cost is just too high" --well stated! Thanks so much!!

[@zachary8339]

Thumbs up, looking forward to more videos

[@ShastaBubba]

Awesome, thank you!

[@lyndacorkum4399]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful video.

[@ShastaBubba]

You're very welome, thanks for watching!

[@Docsporseen1]

Great information. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this type of video!

[@ShastaBubba]

You got it! Thanks for the feedback!!

[@georgeloveday9674]

I hate the arbitrary guidelines. On my trips I always tried to travel light, but based on what gear I could afford and my favorite gear that I felt most comfortable using. Sometimes I waisted weight because I liked taking extra fishing supplies, reading material, extra heavy duty high top boots, and even a raft, but these things added to my enjoyment of a wilderness hike. I always watch your videos. So glad you make them.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for the kind words! I think that one of the biggest benefits of UL Backpacking is having the ability to mindfully choose what extras make sense in a given situation. When I packraft, my baseweight jumps to around 30 pounds, but it would be 50 or more if using traditional methods. Always good to keep the main goal in mind, as you said, to add enjoyment to the wilderness hikes.

[@percyveer5974]

I have done a lot of "self" work on this very subject over the many years of my life. Been to every course, read every book and I've heard it all before, I could say. I would say, you can't hear it often enough. Being present is like excising a muscle, one trip to the gym won't make you strong, it takes a prolonged and dedicated effort. I am now subscribed and looking forward to more "trips to the gym". Well done.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much and I couldn't agree more with the notion of mindfulness being more of a daily practice versus something we get once and don't need to revisit. Well stated and thanks for the sub!

[@TransitionHacker]

Massively appreciative for this series and can’t wait to watch the rest of the episodes

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks for the feedback!!

[@KevinRStrauss]

Hi Dan, I love that you're introducing some of your "day job" insights and mixing it with your passion for backpacking. My next video planned combines backpacking (hobby) with Emotional Health and Human Connection (Day Job). There is indeed cross-over. ☮️❤️🤝

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much! Sounds like you're doing some good work yourself there, well done!

[@audra_y]

Wonderful video to add to your awesome collection of videos! I can't wait for the next one in the installment. Thank you for adding the concrete tips for dealing with not packing fears and worry in general. I love your other videos as well about coping with fear & anxiety in the wilderness. Everything changed when I became a mom a couple years ago and started having new fears of being struck by lightning, widowmaker falling on me in the night, bears, etc - after 20 years of never being freaked out by these things - my brain must have really changed from the hormones and experience of becoming a mom and definitely needed new tools. I have been using the breathing practices with good success so far. For this year's backpacking trips I am definitely going to try your tip of actually writing out my action steps for worries and then radically accept the risk - because definitely do not want to stop going into the woods! Thank you for your very valuable tools and insights Dan!

[@ShastaBubba]

I'm overwhelmed with your kind words, thank you so much! I imagine that having kids completely changes your perspective, not just on backpacking, but everything. I commend you for the courage to continue getting 'out there' and hope for many happy hiking miles (stress-free and mindfully joyful in the present)!

[@anninwhack1998]

Thank you. This video is so helpful! I get stuck in overthinking and over planning. Imagining the experiences I want to have backpacking (or camping) can morph into too much what if-ing, plus it’s hard to turn off “mom brain “ over-anticipating. I look forward to this series you are making!

[@ShastaBubba]

You are so welcome! I imagine it adds another huge layer to planning when you have to consider the needs of the kiddos as well. Good for you for taking on that challenge and imparting to another generation the love of the outdoors!

[@rodoutdoors]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing. I've been heading in that direction lately. I'm still on the fence with cold soaking. I really enjoy coffee in the morning 😅 I recently tried a new tarp and bivy and it worked out great. I don't think I could have gone straight from tent to ground though. It took nights of setting up and sleeping in a hammock that got me to that point. The progression of skills and the experience made it easier to endure being enclosed in a bivy. I'm not sure if I'll completely remove the bivy due to fear of ticks and mosquitoes, but we'll see.

[@ShastaBubba]

If what you're doing is working for you, that's great! No reason to change unless there's something you think might work better; in that case, I think it's fun to experiment with new gear and methods, but probably only one major thing at a time. ;-) Good to do just like you said and approach change with gradual steps.

[@patrickburke9382]

I really enjoy your content … just turned the notifications “on” … look forward to more. Thank you

[@ShastaBubba]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ervinslens]

Brilliant tips man, nicely and professionally presented! 👏👏

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ChrisOUTEC]

Great job -- thank you!

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billsalter4619]

Not the usual UL beta rehash. Much appreciated.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks so much!

[@davidstefani1]

Good content bob. Thanks.

[@ShastaBubba]

Much appreciated!

[@BilltheTulaneGuy]

Beginning my journey this week. “Not a number on a scale…” Makes that decision easier. #Newsubscriber

[@ShastaBubba]

Awesome. Enjoy the ride!!

[@MTtroutfisher406]

Great video! Hello from Omak! 🌮🏕️🥾

[@ShastaBubba]

Hey! Are these corn?!!

[@bretbowlin2617]

Good stuff thanks!

[@ShastaBubba]

Glad you liked it!

[@birddogfarms6981]

Good content, Dan......keep going.

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks, will do!

[@ytsrjbrown]

I enjoyed it and now subscribe. I think not packing my fears will take a lot, Cub Scout be prepared pretty engrained. Also I am less worried about breaking my leg than I am about feeling like an ass because I left the bandage behind once I have done it. But next trip am really trying to leave spare stove behind 😂 although am still taking stove and fire pot

[@ShastaBubba]

LOL, well . . . baby steps, right? Thanks so much and keep taking those steps!

[@jurgschupbach3059]

Ok if i do a long distance hike then i have to take all the eventual bad conditions into the account specialy if you are outside of your homecountry without a place where u can store the extra gear you don't need at the moment...........life lessons about packing your fears? Nope just practical logical thinking without any expertise from "psychologists"

[@ShastaBubba]

Thanks! Glad it was useful.