East Coast 3 Season Backpacking w/Hammock & Tarp
- Category Weight
-
Pack
1.46 lb
-
Shelter
1.84 lb
-
Sleep
3.18 lb
-
Water Filtration & Carry
0.35 lb
-
Cooking/Eating
0.8 lb
-
Bear Bag
0.24 lb
-
Hiking Clothing
2.88 lb
-
FoulWx/Sleep Clothing
2.43 lb
-
First Aid & Hygiene
1.93 lb
-
Navigation
0.43 lb
-
Electronics
1.35 lb
-
Misc
2.06 lb
-
Consumables
13.5 lb
[TL:DR]
Finished my last section of Vermont's Long Trail. The northern 65 miles. Got into 40s at night... With a base weight of 13.12 lbs, and with ~14.5 lbs of consumables for 7 days between resupply, my full pack weighed in at 27.7 lbs. That's a bit above the comfort range of this pack, and was a bit hard on shoulders, till I consumed some of that food bag.
I used a hammock-based shelter/sleep system that has worked well for me.
[/TL:DR]
I adopted UL concepts years ago while planning a 2012 AT thru hike. I learned to appreciate the concepts and mindset. I try not to base my sense of self-worth on what I consider to be arbitrary base-weight numbers. I pack the minimum I need to stay warm, dry, well fed and hydrated, and healthy given expected risks and conditions. I look at my total pack weight (base + consumables) for a particular trip, and choose the smallest, lightest pack in my quiver that can best handle that load.
This spreadsheet helps me do that, while looking for areas of improvement.
Worn Weight - You'll see items with a shirt logo. That identifies them as "Worn Weight" to the software. That includes everything I wear, stuff in my pockets, and carry in my hands. Right now that adds up to a little over 4 lbs. The software underlaying this web site is smart enough to know that if I list an item as worn, with a qty greater than 1, I'm not likely to be wearing more than 1 at a time. So it adds the weight of the remainder to the pack's base weight. (I.e. I take 2 pairs of socks and flag them them as "worn." The software adds the weight of one pair to worn weight, and the other to base weight.
Base Weight - The total weight of the pack and everything in it, except consumables. Does not include stuff worn, carried in my pockets, or in my hands.
Consumables - Stuff one uses up. Generally food, water and fuel.
The weight of "Base" and "Consumables" combined gives me my Total Pack Weight. That tells me whether the pack I wanted for this trip is rated for the load I plan to carry. If not, I need to either switch to a pack with a more robust suspension, figure out how to make the load lighter, or suffer a bit for a few days till I consume a few pounds of food ... Total Pack Weight for this load is 27.6 lbs. That's a bit on the heavy side for this pack.
Add full pack weight to worn weight, and you get "total" weight, aka, "Full Skin Out" weight. That number tells one how much their musculoskeletal system is supporting.
Some folks look at the weight of their "Big Three" for potential weight savings. Big Three for this list is 6lb. One of those items is a 400g first aid kit. I have had a fair bit of first aid training thruout my life, including a recent Outdoor Emergency Care. I've treated myself and others with that kit, and it's not likely to get any lighter ... Someday, ask me how Loopy helped me clean, close and bandage a nasty cut on my hand ...
In 2019, that Superior Wilderness Designs frameless pack was new to me, and worked fine with a lighter load on the first 200 miles of this trail. That pack fits me perfectly. It weighs in at 637g (22.5oz), has 45L total volume, and a rated 20 lb total capacity. Plus it's highly water resistant, and it fits me like a glove. But with this heavier load it was a bit uncomfortable on the shoulders till I consumed a good part of that food bag.
I started at the Canadian Border and hiked south to Smuggler's Notch, where I got off in '19. That 65 miles completed my section hike of the LT. That section of the Long Trail is every bit as tough as the toughest sections of the Appalachian Trail. So I was motivated to go light. I made one resupply at Johnson Hardware, reducing the amount of food I needed to carry a bit.
For "shelter," I carried my HammockGear DCF Hex Tarp, and my Dutchware Half-Zip Hammock. My "sleep system" was my HammockGear 40° Top and under quilts, a DutchWare underquilt protector and my Exped Air Pillow. I carried my short mummy Nemo Tensor r1.6 sleeping pad, in case I want to sleep in a shelter, or needed to go to ground. I did use it in the End of Journey Shelter. It could have gone in the hammock to add a bit more insulation if needed ...
Overnight lows around the northern terminus in early August got down into the high 40s°. I did wear my light puffy to bed a couple of nights, along with my light merino beanie and Acorn socks. I was comfortable.
For water filtration, I carried a Sawyer Mini with a Sawyer 32oz squeeze bag, and two 700ml Smartwater bottles. That gave me 2.35L water capacity. When I dry camp away from a water source, I like to have 2-3L of water to cook dinner, make breakfast, and to start out the next morning with a full water bottle .
I'm pretty happy with this. It's the culmination of 10 years backpacking in the Appalachian and Green Mountain ranges. I'll keep looking for ways to make it lighter ... Without sacrificing safety, too much comfort, or too much of my life's savings...
[Oblg Disc] I have no personal or financial interest in any companies on this list! No quid pro quo! Links are for informational purposes only! I swear!
-
-
Pack
Weight qty -
Pack
SWD Superior 35 HB - Sm Frameless w/ 30" Hip Belt & Accy Pockets
637
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pack Liner
Litesmith Nylofume 20 x 37" Pack Liner
27
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Shelter
Weight qty -
Hammock
Dutch 11' Half-Zip Hammock (Hexon 1.0) w/ 8" cont. loops & fixed ridgeline
365
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Tarp
HammockGear DCF Hex
196
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ridgeline Organizer
HammockGear Mesh
22
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Gear Loft
Elemental Hammock Gear Loft
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Stakes
Toaks (2), MSR Needles (2), Vargo Ti Shepherd Hooks (4) in orange Toaks bag
97
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hammock Suspension
Tree Straps w/ Whoopie Slings (pr)
136
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Sleep
Weight qty -
Quilt, Top 40°
HammockGear Burrow 40° TQ (Feb '13)
524
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Quilt, Under 40°
HammockGear Incubator 40° UQ (Mar '14)
411
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
UQ Protector
HammockGear Under-Quilt Protector 10D Ripstop (Mar 21)
125
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Inflatable Pillow
Klymit Pillow X
64
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Sleeping Pad (Non-insulated)
Nemo Tensor - Short Mummy (48"x20"x3") (R 1.6)
318
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Water Filtration & Carry
Weight qty -
Water Bottles
Smart Water (700mL/47.3oz)
30
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Water Filter
Sawyer Micro Squeeze (wet weight)
62
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Water Carry/Squeeze Bags
Evernew, 900 ml Water Carry
29
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Stuff Sack, Water Filtration
Sea 2 Summit, Ultra Mesh
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Cooking/Eating
Weight qty -
Cook Pot
Snow Peak Trek 700 Ti Cooker w/ 4 Dog Ti Lid
111
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Stove, Canister Style
Monatauk Gnat (aka Fire Maple FMS-116t)
47
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pot Cozy (SPT700)
DIY Cozy for Snow Peak 700
54
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Spoon
Sea to Summit Long-Handle Ti Spoon - Natch!
13
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Fuel Canister (Empty)
MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister (4oz size)
99
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Lighter
Small Bic
0.4
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Cup
Kupilka 21
37
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Bear Bag
Weight qty -
Food Bag
Z-Packs Food Bag (10.7 L)
37
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bear Bag Line
AGG TreeLine, 40' Spectra 725 Line w/ cf rock bag
25
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Carabiner
Black Diamond, Funbiner
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bear Bag Liner
Smelly Proof HD
40
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Hiking Clothing
Weight qty -
Hiking Shorts
Columbia PFC
165
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
T Shirt, Wool
Smartwool Merino Tee (w/ Insect Shield)
141
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Underwear
Icebreaker Merino Briefs
47
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hiking Shoes
La Sportiva Akasha Mountain Runners
732
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks
Vermont Darn Tough Merino - Hiker 1/4 Cushion
61
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Gaiters
Dirty Girl, Urban Legend, Lg
37
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ball Cap
14
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
FoulWx/Sleep Clothing
Weight qty -
Rain Shell
Montbell Versalite Jacket (L)
186
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Down Puffy
Montbell Ex Light Down Jacket
148
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wind Pants
Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants
85
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dry Bag, Puffy
S2S 4L Ultra-Sil Nano Dry Bag
20
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Beanie
SmartWool Merino Sport 150 Beanie, Gray
24
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Base Layer, Top
Smartwool Merino 150 Tibetan Red LS
197
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Base Layer, Bottom
Icebreaker, Merino 150 Leggings, Gray
143
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Socks, Sacred
Acorn Fleece, Green
70
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Camp Shoes
VivoBarefoot Ultras
227
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
First Aid & Hygiene
Weight qty -
First Aid / Meds Kit
DIY - In HG DCF XS Stuff Sack
400
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hygiene Consumables
Toothpaste, Floss, Soap, Med Shampoo
348
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Toothbrush
Cut down and stripped, natch!
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
TP Kit
TP in HammockGear DCF XS Stuff Sack
59
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trowel
Qwiz small
11
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Nail Maint
Nail cutter & file
21
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Towel
PackTowl Nano
26
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Stuff Bag, Hygiene
HG Grn DFC XS Stuff Sack
3.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Navigation
Weight qty -
Map
GMC Waterproof Map
35
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Compass
Suunto M9 Wrist on a Neck Lanyard
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Watch
Seiko 5 Military Automatic
56
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Ranger Beads
Black Skulls (hung from shoulder strap)
8
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Nav App
Guthook, LT
0
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Journal
Moleskine Cahier Lined Journal, 3.5 x 5.5
76
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Pencil
You know, a pencil. Well ... A half a pencil.
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Electronics
Weight qty -
Phone
Google Pixel 6
238
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Power Pack
AUKEY PB-Y13, PD 2.0, 10000mAh 18W
195
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
USB PD C Wall Charger
Aukey PA-Y16 w/dual usb c outputs
108
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
USB Cables
USB 3.0 C-C
28
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Dry Bag, Electronics
S2S 1L Ultra-Sill Nano Dry Bag, Green
17
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Misc
Weight qty -
Hiking Poles
Leki Ultralight Titanium (53" max)
523
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Headlamp
Black Diamond Ion w/2 AAA batteries
53
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Knife
Buck Hartsook Fixed Blade
27
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Head Net
S2S Headnet
27
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bandana
Sunshine Joy India Star, 22" x 22"
32
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Repair Kit
Misc gear repair items
28
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Trash Bag
ZipLock Baggy, Freezer, Gal
12
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Utility Cord
S2S 1.8mm Reflective Cord 6m
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Whistle
ACR/USCG
7
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Hand Sanitizer
2 oz Bottle
67
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Bug Spray
Natrapel 1 oz Bottle
45
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Wallet, Waterproof
ZPacks w/ ID, DL, CC, DC & Cash
28
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
RoadID Bracelet
Emergency Medical Data
9
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Carabiner
Camp USA Nano 22 - Yellow
22
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Foam Egg Crate Seat
Thermarest Z-Lite cut Down to fit pack's inside-back
47
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Consumables
Weight qty -
Food
2 lbs/day
900
g5
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Water
Water at 1g/ml
700
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
Cooking Fuel
Weight of stove fuel only
112
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-