Ultralight Backpacking

In this video we are looking at the concept of Ultralight Backpacking and unpacking what that could realistically look like for you. The answer isn’t always to just drop a bunch of money on ultralight gear. Let’s define Ultralight and then personalize it. I'll show you how I've refined my setup over the years and what's currently in my pack.
#beyondthetreeline #backpacking #backpackinggear #ultralighthiking #ultralight

[@notquiteultralight1701]

Hey this was awesome! You know… in the end… we are the ones who carry our choices. Different people prioritize their toy money differently. Like for me, instead of shelling out 3 grand for cuben fiber everything, a down quilt, a sawed off toothbrush 🤣, a zero stove system of food prep and a pair of house slippers for hiking boots; I’d rather put that 3 grand on a nice poly 16’ sea kayak and some roll lessons! You know what I’m sayin?😁👍🏼. I like the fact that you take a firesteel and a paper map! Me too!! You probably have a lightweight compass and know how to orienteer yourself out of trouble if need be. I take a lighter, small box of wooden matches to light the trangia burner as denatured needs help in cold weather to light and wooden matches help. I’m also a twig stove nut so i bring my firebox nano stove since it was made in the usa. The trangia burner goes right inside on rainy times. I like your style man!! You take care. NQU

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

I totally get ya! It’s all preference and finding a balance for me. I love exploring different ways to cut weight, but there are definitely times where comfort or convenience wins out for me. Yes! Sometimes the simple things are best. I love a reliable map and compass. Your setup sounds awesome! I’ve seen those twig stoves before and they look really neat. Maybe I need to give that a shot. I like your’s too! Thanks for discussing with me!

[@hoser7706]

Its hard as an ultralight addict to not see places you could cut pounds off of your gear. Lol. But like you said, it is a personal setup. Keep trekking!

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Haha you’re totally right! And please send me any recommendation! I love learning from others’ experiences. I wouldn’t consider myself a pure ultralighter by any means. But I’m always looks for ways to cut weight! Thanks!

[@KevinRStrauss]

I really appreciate you starting with your own definition for ultralight and sharing how it plays out for you. I love that you're owning your perspective and simply putting it out there. You never know who may benefit. Even naysayers may be inspired to change something even if just for spite. Hike on! ☮️❤️🤝

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Hey thanks so much! I’m glad that’s what you took away. It really is just a fun journey adapting your kit over time and trying new things. I’ve learned a lot from others over the years and love new perspectives. Thanks for commenting, it means a lot!

[@paddle_hike]

Great video! Switching the paracord for a smaller line, smaller knife and smart water bottle instead of the big Nalgene will drop your weight a lot more... Take care

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Thanks for the recommendations! I’ll have to give that a shot!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello 👋 my outdoors friend, you are certainly well organized. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom. You're prepared for almost any emergency. 🤗

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Thanks for watching and for the comment! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@fuzzybuddywizard]

I used to be ultralight... then I had to buy a bear canister. Required! Hear me now...a bear canister is the one piece of gear that is required in many places! So, with 7 days of food and fuel and 13lb base weight, I am at 20lbs. Add 4lbs for 2 qts of water. I do have comfort items included such as a chair and umbrella. I also carry an ultralight tarp and fixed blade Gerber survival knife (my choice at 13oz) which past experience taught me a quality knife is worth its weight in gold for cutting paracord and emergencies. With extreme weather, a tarp used as a dining fly provides much-needed shelter from heavy rain and wind.

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

That’s a solid setup! Bear canisters do make it tricky. I have one for the areas the require, but they do add a lot of weigh. I’m impressed you still keep your weight so low with the canister! When I have the option I never bring it for the reason of weight haha. Do you use the tarp as your shelter as well? Or do you have a tent or hammock you use in addition?

[@Greghikes1]

Just FYI, Ultralight is sub 10lb base weight. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultralight_backpacking#:~:text=Ultralight%20backpacking%20(sometimes%20written%20as,4.5%20kg%20(9.9%20lb). Just in case you weren't aware of the terminology. 🙂

[@long-long.]

According to you...

[@albertcollins6317]

Video on backpacking meals/food please

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Great idea! I do a lot of dehydrating, so I’d be happy to create some videos around meal prep ideas. If you have any specific questions in the meantime let me know and I’d be happy to give you some ideas I’ve done!

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

Love it,but there is a reason there is a classification fer ultralight bein under 10 lbs and then its lightweight ta 20 then it's just packin things.....

[@micheleaday3902]

Thank You So Much Where Did You Find That A Frame Pole Tent I Cant Find One Anywhere Please Help. And I Love Your Video Thank You❤

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate the comment too. So that’s the REI Flash Air 1 tent. I’m not finding it on their website right now, it might be out of stock currently.

[@micheleaday3902]

@@Beyond_The_Treeline Thank You So Much For Reply. I Guess Ill Just Praying Someone throws Out In Garbage And I Can Wash It Real Good And Tape Poles If Broken. Thank You So Much Again God God Bless You

[@micheleaday3902]

@@Beyond_The_Treeline Thank You Ever So Muxh For Checkin For Me God Bless You. And keep up on Your Videos Sure do Enjoy

[@smithe68]

Good overview, definitely liked the video. In response to the other commenters, 10lbs base weight is such an arbitrary number, it’s meaningless, made up and only good for maybe average sized humans. My base weight is almost 13 lbs but on a 4 day trip my total pack weight is under 19 lbs. Total pack weight is all that really matters and I would add that pack weight to body weight ratio might even be more important.

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Thanks! Glad you liked it. Agreed. My whole reason for staying away from the 10lbs rule was really to focus on the mentality that ultralight can offer rather than a specific number. I see a lot of backpackers brining items they don’t use or wishing that had brought a certain item on a trip. What I’ve found helpful over the years is just the intentionality that the idea of ultralight brings. 10lbs might sound very difficult to achieve for someone on a budget. But being intentional with what you being and how you think about packing can eliminate a lot of weight.

[@smithe68]

@@Beyond_The_Treeline more people need to embrace your idea of what ultralight should mean, I would say looked at holistically and not just as some number.

[@theblackneon5396]

Really like this pack. If it was any lighter it would almost be irresponsible for a multi-day trip! Though my perspective is as a northern hiker.

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

For sure! It’s all about finding a balance I think.

[@TomatoKetchup1000]

🤣

[@jonathanwesche13]

I really like your outlook on this topic and agree with your mentality. However, standards are pretty well defined and personally feel that those “standards” are what is strived for to reach that definition. It is truly easy to get to sub-ten with enough money… there is the rub. Again, I share your outlook and think that is the healthy way to think about it, but I would never say I’m UL with a listed weight above what is commonly understood/defined.

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

Thanks for watching and for your feedback! I completely agree with you. I don’t consider myself an UL backpacker or call myself one. But over the years I’ve personally taken a lot away from the mentality of it. And that’s what I wanted to expound on in this video. Hopefully to provide a slightly different way of looking at backpacking lighter without having dropping a ton of money. Maybe I’ll get to sub 10lbs someday! But it’s fun watching the evolution of it over time and slowing shaving lbs 😊 Thanks again for the comment!

[@abeabe3175]

"ultralight" **Carries a Nalgene

[@lordhall3774]

Wow he’s really crossed the line there hasn’t he, unforgivable.

[@rcms5mango747]

Ultralight is sub 10 pound base weight lol that’s the game

[@rayraythejet]

10 lbs base weight is ul

[@fuzzybuddywizard]

Trying to stay at 10 lbs base weight when a 3lb bear canister is a requirement is next to impossible and not practicable and still be properly equipped for extreme weather and emergencies. Think safety! You WILL be faced with the unexpected!

[@outsiderswalks5460]

no :) 9,9lb was the weight of Ray jardines 3rd PCT hike - which since has become some of a "mantra" - it makes sense to strive for similar weight for 2-3 season use in warmer, dryer climate - for colder, more wet climate, UL (more defined as "lightest that does the job) baseweight will be higher

[@rayraythejet]

@@outsiderswalks5460 yeah, that's true. Right now ultralight is 10 lb. But as plastics and fabrics improve or camping styles change ,ultralight might be something lower like 6 lb.

[@outsiderswalks5460]

@@rayraythejet right Now UL is “lightest that does the job” that might be 10lb, 14lb or 6lb depending on context

[@rayraythejet]

@@outsiderswalks5460 afraid not. However arbitrary, 10lbs is the standard according to common practice.Look at all the tru-hiking channels as one example. Don't feel bad if you're not ultralight. I sure don't. Happy trails.

[@shaggyterrell8460]

Yeah, you’re setup isn’t Ultralight. You keep saying you are UL but have a lightweight setup, it’s really irritating 😂 UL is 10lb and under. You are almost double the UL weight limit. Carrying some heavy stuff you don’t need to. That mini is going to clog, should get the regular Sawyer, worth the minuscule weight gain. Get rid of that paracord, get a thinner lighter weight line. Ditch the stuff sack and get a Nylofume bag liner. Ditch the book, take pictures of pages to need. Just a few tips.

[@Beyond_The_Treeline]

I’m talking about ultralight as a mentality/methodology rather than a science of strict weight. I actually don’t consider myself a true ultralighter. I understand that 10lbs base weight is what most would consider the standard for UL now. My approach in this video was to talk about the idea of ultralight and looking at how to find the balance of weight and comfort and have intention behind the weight you do bring. I know I could shave a lot more weight if I wanted, but sometimes it’s worth brining the book or some other comfort items. Thanks for the comment!

[@outsiderswalks5460]

the 10lb is UL for 2-3 season for good weather areas, it originates in Jardines 3rd pct hike and his (9,9lb) number which since has become (for some, mostly people new to UL without having followed and practiced it longer) mantra - having practiced UL hiking for some 20+ years i have seen the number change, the philosophy remains the same, and is what it important, curiosity, critical sense, and bringing the lightest that "does the job" - thats a lot more complicated and demands more experience than the very easy "10lb" answer, which is also in some sense a bit misleadning and "dumbening" - but your suggestings for shedding weight i completly agree on

[@tomnoyb8301]

"It's hard to define..." 10lbs. That wasn't so hard, was it?