Don't Pull a Trailer, Carry a Pack

I've loved backpacking for years. My first great adventure was with my buddy Adam and we chose to hike a loop on the North Country Scenic Trail in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The excursion would cover about 10 miles and include a loop that started near Chapel Falls, a stop for fishing near Chapel Beach, and camping at Mosquito Beach.

There is a lot of excitement when you are new to backpacking. The thrill of being out in the wild brings anticipation in positive and negative ways. Looking forward to some peace and beauty as well as concern over logistics. What will I eat? Will I be warm enough? Will it rain? A big lesson was learned on this trip! When you are backpacking remember that you are a person carrying a pack, not a truck pulling a trailer! A heavy pack will tire you out quickly no matter how fit you are. I remember our packs being so overloaded we couldn't put them on our backs without help. Halfway through the hike we started using boulders to stage our packs on and then we would shimmy up into the straps. Once you've carried a heavy pack out in the wild you realize you do not need half of what you think you do. We're hiking not working for a moving company! We are escaping into the wilderness. A light pack makes more adventure possible.

Tony's Top 5 Tips for Carrying a Light Pack!

1. Keep it under 25 pounds.

I realize this is relative to the duration of your hike. It is much easier to have a 25-pound pack on a two-day excursion than it is on a five day, but 25 pounds or less is a great guide when packing. Organize what you think you need and put it in your bag. Weigh it! If your pack is over 25 pounds it's time to rethink your priorities for the hike. What have you brought to much of? What have you brought for a "just in case" scenario? Would it really matter if you left it behind? Shoot for 25 pounds or less.

2. Eat light.

I enjoy food. If I look back to any vacation I have been on I can remember what I ordered off the menu of the local restaurants we've dined at. Good food equals good fun. When preparing this Pictured Rocks hike I thought of food like this was a vacation. I brought cans of beef stew, a marinated steak with potato and onion in a cooler, a bag of apples, and a loaf of bread. I would imagine I had close to 15 pounds just in food in my pack. There was a moment when I was two hundred feet up on the cliff overlooking Lake Superior and I turned to change direction. The momentum of my pack swinging threw me off balance and almost over the side. An unnecessarily heavy pack puts you in danger of ankle sprains, back issues, and accidents. Don't waste weight on heavy food.

There are a plethora of food options for backpacking. Everywhere from Walmart to REI can hook you up with lightweight protein-packed meals to keep you going on the trail. Purchase meals, a burner, and the most lightweight fuel you can find. I believe you will discover that after a tiring day of hiking anything taste good on the trail.

3. Tent or hammock?

Three years ago I started sleeping in a hammock instead of a tent. Hammocks can weigh very little and can be purchased with accessories like bug nets and rain flys. Sleeping in a hammock is much more comfortable than on the ground and gives a different rustic feel to the trip. You really get to be "in" the wilderness when you sleep right under the stars. Exchange tent weight for hammock weight when possible and enjoy losing a few pounds. You can also save weight and space by leaving your sleeping pad behind.

4. Don't overdo the wardrobe.

The only piece of clothing I bring multiple sets of are socks. Socks get wet or worn through and you need a backup pair. Other than socks check out the forecast ahead of time and wear what will get you through the whole trip. Clothes add weight fast and I have found I usually don't use the extras I bring anyways. Dress according to the weather and leave the extra jacket and pants behind. I am enjoying Wrangler's outdoor recreation line of pants that keep you cool and they dry quickly on the trail.

5. Don't be cheap.

Lightweight items for backpacking cost more than their heavier counterparts. Don't settle for a five-pound sleeping bag when a 1.5 pounder costs $50 more. Maybe the biggest mistake I see new hikers make is saving money and getting dragged down by underpriced HEAVY equipment. A lighter tent might be more money but it's also probably going to be more durable and fashioned for the wild. You will not regret spending money on lighter things when you are hiking on the trail. A water filter is something I've noticed many skip purchasing to save cash, only to have multiple heavy bottles of water attached to them, pulling the hiker under throughout the day. Spend the extra cash and get yourself a filter and save water weight. Leave the extra bottles at home. Lighter gear costs more but it is worth it. If budget is an issue start collecting your lightweight gear a bit at a time until you get all you need.

When it really comes down to it most of us want to go backpacking to have fun, recharge, and be refreshed by encountering the wilderness around us. My firsthand experience is that nothing ruins the fun and peace of a hike quicker than a heavy pack. Remember, you are a person carrying a pack, not a truck hauling a trailer. Enjoy the trails.