How I LIGHTEN my Back Pack - 30 Years of refinement 🎒

[@mowsertas]

*🔗 VIDEO LINKS:* Western Arthurs Food Preparation kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHqQYaaknK2fd7csi=RM0x_GZOZ1ftY8-1 My Sleep System Sleeping Bags: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZ66c5qbl9eoeMksi=MFXyBF6DxNNsZDaC Sleeping Pads or Mats: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHuwiYeHg5insJosi=Naq6ISiGTk3mwUkc Katabatic Alsek Quilt kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHuwiYeHg5insJosi=Naq6ISiGTk3mwUkc Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag geni.us/yHUlqSL Thermarest Neoair X-Lite geni.us/WQbwA Tarptent Stratospire Li geni.us/zfSm Layering kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGnRc2xqfLdgo7ssi=wLCXSVAWPKI_90BP South West Epic Blog www.mowser.com.au/blog/south-west-epic-2004 Waterproof Paper geni.us/7HOfk Hydrapak Flux Drink Bottle geni.us/e5HIyF Hyperlite Repack geni.us/DQBhMe Jetboil Minimo geni.us/LzTOL Basic Gear List for day walk and multi day walk gearlistdownload.mowser.com.au Multi Day Gear List (Lighterpack) lighterpack.com/r/ohajew Day Walk Gear List (Pack Wizard) www.packwizard.com/s/Vqnx7yt Good food ideas www.trail.recipes/ Good food ideas australianhiker.com.au/advice/food-on-the-trail-a-beginners-guide/ Finding Ultra by Rich Roll geni.us/7B2Jiu Petzl Bindi geni.us/kBpfgi Hyperlite Porter Pack geni.us/ooHO7

[@thruguru]

Big fan of instant miso too … while waiting until the main evening meal rehydrates.

[@mowsertas]

@@thruguru yes the miso is soooo good

[@michaelbutler1557]

Great video Mowser. I have had a saying for years now ‘if it doesn’t float off into the air then it weights something’ meaning of course everything counts. I use electronic kitchen scales to weigh items.

[@mowsertas]

Great point! I do the same!

[@TLK22]

I use toothpaste tablets. It's super light and I bring exactly the quantity I need.

[@mowsertas]

What is this witchcraft you speak of!? You may have just changed my life! Thanks! ☺️

[@elisesmith3596]

Thanks for the informative video! My first ever overnight hike with my dog was horrible. Carrying heavy gear, bought the dog his own mat and sleeping bag that he didn’t even use as he slept in mine, didn’t have a water filter yet so had to carry 5 kg of water despite the whole hike being along a river… way too much food, poor cooking gear set up. First time hiking with a pack on in years. Pack weighed in at 20kgs… I don’t know what I was thinking..did the same hike last week with my current set up pack weighed under 10kgs with more comfy and warmer gear. We are headed to do the overland in a couple of months and still readjusting our gear each time we go out.

[@mowsertas]

That sounds like a learning experience! But sounds like you have it under control now! Enjoy the Overland!

[@michaelbutler1557]

Your links are great snd actually work.

[@michaelwojcicki3624]

Good tips. At least two pair of sox and underware. I lost a pair while washing in the Colorado River.

[@mowsertas]

Looks like the Colorado River wanted a souvenir! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Swearengen1980]

Food is a big one for me, I eat a lot. Freeze dried meals are popular, but are largely empty carbs. While an acquired taste, I make pemmican. Can't get more nutrient dense than that.

[@thruguru]

Fully on board with you there. 💡👍💡 My next major venture will be much more heavily weighted towards high protein/ high fat. Pemmican, biltong & focussing on other high qual dried low-carb foods will be my goal (incl eggs, cheese, fish etc). Still

[@mowsertas]

Haven’t tried Pemmican but I will look into it! Thanks!

[@denisestarr2314]

Whats your recipe?

[@wobblysauce]

Bannocks are nice to make and also light and filling.

[@nathanvrvrt]

You should try real turmat, they have delicious freeze dried meal

[@guillaumekeulen219]

I use 2 poncho liners in a corintia bivy + Tarp!

[@mowsertas]

That's a clever setup! Stay cozy out there!

[@amonster8mymother]

@@guillaumekeulen219 is 👍🇨🇦

[@craigrobertson6082]

Excellent info and recommendations. Couldn't do the phone thing though, still using paper maps and carrying a small paperback novel. Just apply weight savings somewhere else for my needs instead. Howdy from Canada.

[@mowsertas]

I do love my hard copy maps. Have hundreds! And when I’m at home I do like to enjoy my library of books 😉 I can’t wait to explore Canada some day!

[@danielhurst8863]

An issue with walking pole tents, is you are limited in how you camp. Many campers, set up a base camp. That is where your tent is located, but you may be 10+ miles from camp, and you want your trekking poles. Walkthrough hikes are just one kind of camping, but hunting, bird watching, fishing, and even just exploring the surrounding area, you will want your trekking poles with you.

[@mowsertas]

Great point. I don’t know if I could ever just rely on trekking poles and always end up taking tent poles anyway!

[@tubulzr]

Great advice. Exactly how I've upgraded my sleep system and other camping gear over the years. First a more decent/warmer mat, recently a lighter and warmer sleeping bag. Laid out every single item before my 2 week hike in Scotland. With full gear, 1,5 L water and food for a week, at 17 KG. After coming home, checked my gear: I brought 260 grams of stuff I didn't use...not too shabby. Ditched gear like an extra light torch and a multi-tool before the trip, after weighing every item on my kitchen scale. Busted ankle here, therefore also: heavy boots. Waterproof also, because I really don't care for wet feet. I respect the 'wet feet mesh trail runner' folks but 'squish, squish, squish,...' for a fortnight is nightmarish to me. I'd say, use a kitchen scale to see what 'perhaps useful stuff' actually weighs. And also, important imo, check the sales season at your favourite outdoor stores, so you can afford the really light and expensive stuff at (more) affordable prices.

[@mowsertas]

Great tips! I use the kitchen scales heaps! 17kg is a great weight for a week!

[@philljanemillerfairs712]

Kindle app for my phone...how did i not know this??! That's a WIN for me, thanks!!

[@mowsertas]

That's awesome! Enjoy reading on the go!

[@haydenwalton2766]

ditched the scarpas years ago and never looked back. 1 kg on your feet = 5 kg on your back i walk in trail runners, and carry a pair of the trusty double pluggers for around camp

[@johnpowell9174]

Marginal gain -use bicarbonate as toothpaste! As it's dry and you can put in an very light container, it's lighter than commercial toothpastes. On top of that, it's possibly healthier than commercial stuff (detergents, low pH...) and is definitely better for the environment.

[@mowsertas]

That's a great tip! Thanks!

[@kerrywilliams8100]

XMid is a great tent. Roomy, light weight and handles the weather really well.

[@mowsertas]

Good to hear. Someone I know also recently bought one so looking forward to their thoughts too.

[@jimbo4505]

Loving all the new vids Mowser keep them coming, such good knowledge

[@mowsertas]

Thanks. So glad you’re enjoying 🙏

[@ralfhedin]

Great, great video! About the backpack, I understand that nowadays you prefer a lightweight pack. I am preparing to hike for a week and am ambigious about which type of backpack to use. How much weight would you carry and still choose HMG, Durston etc rather than a 3 kg canvas pack?

[@mowsertas]

Great question! Despite regularly using my Hyperlite packs, I still do love the opportunity to use my Opsrey Packs with their comfy hipbelts and back cushioning occasionally! I'd probably happily use my heavier packs like these with any total pack weight to around 15-18kg (33-40lbs) I think. After that I'm probably switching out to the Hyperlite. Happy hiking!

[@amonster8mymother]

I dont have a summer sleeping bag. I do have a 0°down bag but i dont really use it in mid summer i use it more in spring and fall so i use a reactor bag liner and a sol emergency bivy one inside the other. Ive use it for about a month strait.

[@mowsertas]

sounds like a good system!

[@amonster8mymother]

@@mowsertas thank you. I use the tarp all the time so I'm pretty sure it doesnt get wet. 👍🇨🇦

[@amonster8mymother]

Oh yea I use an OR bug bivy in summer it weigh lke 200g and the OR helium bivy when it get colder. 🇨🇦

[@banyantree8618]

I did a hike in Aug with a full pack weight (base, food x10 days, 3ltr) at 20kg and this was a big issue in terms of fatigue. I reevaluated everything, invested and got down to 13kg. It involved some big ticket items, but they are all quality items that’ll last years. Did everything in xls - a few grams here and there all add up, it’s not just the bigger base items.

[@mowsertas]

That’s an amazing weight reduction!

[@thruguru]

Dude …. 50+ new subs in just a day or so! Well done & well deserved! Congrats. Hitting 1k before Christmas no doubt!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wanted to ask … Are trail runners actually viable on those Tassie long (say, W. Arthurs etc) & wet & muddy trails. I understand why You wouldn’t consider them, but do other hikers you know get away with it & prefer? Fully zero drop & low cushion adapted Altra wearer here (extra-wide), but haven’t trail-tested unique Tassie-like extremes yet. Love the light nimbleness of Lone Peaks, but is it just out-of-the-question for muddy, wet, bushbash & scrambling conditions of the W Arthurs? Clint🇦🇺

[@mowsertas]

Thanks mate! Crazy few days! I do know people that wear trail runners on places like the Arthurs etc. They are viable for the hardened trail runner/hiker but I could never do it though. Definitely prefer boots in scrub. My mate was wearing runners on a walk we did a few weeks ago and a stick went straight through them! The lone peaks are popular and I would be keen to try them.

[@denisoleary5302]

You should have started with the pack itself. I have two 45L packs, One is 1 Kilo the other is !.9Kilo

[@mowsertas]

good point!

[@johnpowell9174]

Inflatable sleeping pads with high R value can be ridiculously light (but expensive). Rather than have a pad for every season, why not spend all your money on a stupid light pad with R suitable for the coldest you ever expect to encounter? Alternatively, you could have a lower spec pad but boost it with a closed cell or a light, warm sleeping bag liner when out in the cold.

[@mowsertas]

That's a great point! Investing in a high R-value pad for the coldest conditions makes a lot of sense to keep your pack light. Big fan of using the closed cell foam pad too.

[@michaelmcphee2930]

I just did ten days on the Bibbulmun from Pemberton to Walpole in April. My food weighed 3kg. Jerky, protein shakes, and a protein bar. I brought 400g back. I try not to eat crap. Clothes = one pair of $12 lined bathers/ shorts from K-Mart, 2 T shirts and basketball singlet, 2 spare undies, thermal top and bottom, puffy jacket, hat. Weather hit 30 or 32 most days. My camera is an Olympus TG 6, shoots raw, has a GPS and lots of unbelievable features. Any deficiencies made up in post software. I think it weighs 340 g. I don't hike at night, so my phone has all the light I need. I'm thinking of leaving my tent behind next time and will drop about a kg by getting a bivvy sack.

[@Mike-qx6gy]

Hi Mike Mike here from NZ. Am really interested in your hiking diet. If you have time could you give detailed a run down of your food. I did a 6 day section of Te Araroa and food was 6 kg, too heavy. Thanks

[@michaelmcphee2930]

​@Mike-qx6gy G'day Mike I take a Spartan approach to my tucker and am about 15kg overweight so my goal is to burn fat and get into a state of ketosis. My diet is weighted toward carnivore. Two hundred g of beef jerky, (800 calories) and an ALDI 55g protein shake( 205 calories) and an ALDI 55g protein bar( 220 Calories). So just over 300g/day for around 1200 calories, which is sufficient to sustain life. I'd start my day with a litre if water while packing, maybe a protein shake. I never felt hungry, avoiding carbs and sugar helps me with that. Not for everyone. But worked for me. Fairly cheap as well.

[@mowsertas]

superlight! I personally couldn't survive on that amount of food but am happy at around 600-700g per day for a 10 dayer. The Olympus camera was a favourite of mine over the years for sure!

[@Mike-qx6gy]

@@michaelmcphee2930 thanks Mike that's excellent info have a great day

[@hieuhuynhYouTube]

Hi Mowser, like you I started my hiking journey from the early nineties with a 25kg pack. I am transitioning to ultralight hiking. I just got my 45L ultralight pack from Atompack for my next hike in a couple of weeks. I need a scale or two to weigh all the essential items. What type of scale(s) have you been using? If they are all broken, what would you replace them with? Would you be able to recommend some? Can you do with one scale that is accurate enough to weigh everything from tent peg to backpack? Cheers

[@mowsertas]

I generally just use a good kitchen scale like this one: geni.us/gqshJJ but also have this one at my work; geni.us/9NRA for larger items I first tare the scale with a large bucket or similar on it then place the large item in it and weigh. I find the kitchen scales quite good for just about everything. Hope the atom pack goes well, I have been researching them and they look great!

[@hieuhuynhYouTube]

Thanks for replying to my message. I will get the kitchen scale. It has decent reviews on Amazon. For the pack, I think I will get one of the handheld digital luggage scales. It's more compact and portable, will be asier to take with me when traveling. I will give feedback on my Atompack backpack after testing it out on my upcoming hikes: Lake Rhona, Three Capes, Freycinet Peninsula Circuit and Walls of Jerusalem. Cheers

[@KCMDWannabe]

Hey Mowser! Great video again. I'm very curious about the zip lock bags and rehydration. We've got 9 days of food for the WAT ie plenty of backcountry cuisine so I was thinking of transferring them to ziplock bags but was worried about the boiling water eating the bag and getting a bunch of plastic to go with my re-hydrated meal. Any concerns about this or specific zip-lock bags you use? Do you find this method cuts back on volume too? It seems like not a huge weight saving tbh. Anyway thanks again mate!

[@mowsertas]

Good question! I had the exact same concerns a year ago, so I tested it out at home first. I have had no trouble and have used Glad snap locks but prefer the Ziploc brand like these: geni.us/m1y7C I don't think there's a huge weight saving (fairly minimal) but when heading out for more than a week I am after every gram in savings I can get! Definately makes a HUGE difference to volume. My food bags were heaps smaller as a result. I put every dehydrated/freeze dried meal into snap locks now and its awesome. Am currently investigating some more reusable options too.

[@thruguru]

Hi KC, I share your health concerns over rehydrating in plastic. My research has found that the original mylar bags that these freeze-dried camping foods come in is plastic coated aluminium anyway, so you need to be careful there not to put in absolutely boiling water if rehydrating in that pouch to minimise plastic contamination: ie let the water cool slightly. I now completely avoid boiling water directly into plastic Ziplocs. In the past, I have just retained one Mylar bag for rehydration of my repackaged meals, but due to the ultimate breakdown in the integrity of the Mylar, exposing the aluminium now I am careful not to reuse it too many times. Same goes for using/reusing plastic water bottles.

[@magpiecollingwood9116]

I too am concerned about a potential release of microppastics from adding boiling water into a ziplock bag. Will just stick to using the original bags the freeze dried comes in. I agree cleaning up after preparing and eating from your bowl is a pain ( especially Deb Mash Potato ) , but preparing food that way may be healthier

[@thruguru]

Boiling water into plastic is definitely to be avoided if concerned about microplastics. Even the ‘original’ freeze dried packaging (mylar) should not be exposed to 100°C boiling water… Waiting a minute after boiling until the temp drops to approx 80°C is best practice if rehydrating in the pouch to reduce microplastic exposure.

[@magpiecollingwood9116]

@thruguru Using already filtered water , you don't need to boil. Perhaps heating water to about 60°C ( or at the 1st signs of bubbles) should be enough. This will also save a lot of fuel , and thus weight savings in bringing less fuel. Filtering won't remove viruses with sawyers etc , but most viruses are killed at 60°C ( from memory ).

[@amonster8mymother]

Do you take a tensor bandage?

[@mowsertas]

I take snake bit bandages which are similar I think

[@amonster8mymother]

@@mowsertas they have bandages? I didnt know. I've just got a premade med kit for solo. It probably has a snake bite patch or while 9r something. 👍

[@amonster8mymother]

I used a snake bite patch one time 9n my foot I had chiggers from walking around in my bare feet. Pretty painful but it cleaned it out.

[@MrAttriti0n]

Boiling water into plastic bags seems a bit sketchy. Please have a look into silicone pouches as a food safe alternative. Stasher brand makes a bunch of sizes and BackCountry Food now makes a meal-size one just for this.

[@mowsertas]

yes, have looked into this more recently and lately have been looking at alternatives. Thanks for suggesting!

[@praktika1082]

My partner and I fight about her bringing lollies, chocolates etc TO SHARE with other people. I consume what I carry, I carry what I consume. Full stop. She's at least a kilo heavier than she should be with all that treats and snacks ... Which other people will consume. (Wtf, shaking head.)

[@mowsertas]

Yes I used to always carry ‘non ration’ stuff to share. No more!

[@ajc389]

You took LOTR on your hike, i thought that you would have read The Hobart.

[@mowsertas]

Already read it!

[@martinjcamp]

Thanks much for the excellent ideas. A step-improvement in your vids tho - would be shitcanning that AWFFUL background NOISE you play.

[@mowsertas]

Thanks! Sorry about the noise. Working on it.

[@paulconnelly640]

You lost me when within a minute you're talking about a pair of cotton socks and deodorant!

[@praktika1082]

OMG. Cat - ah - bat - tick.

[@mowsertas]

I got it in the end didn’t I??

[@praktika1082]

@@mowsertas yeah but I remember you stuffing this word up in a previous video :-)

[@mowsertas]

@@praktika1082 I know. My brain had a problem with this word. It’s seriously weird!?

[@bewhiskeredjuarez6851]

Can you say space without it sounding like spice?

[@mowsertas]

Will try

[@pedtrog6443]

He's an Aussie dammit...