My Ultralightweight Backpack

This is a lightweight backpacking dayhike or overnight and weekend outfit I carry for me to be well-prepared and comfortable and safe for temperatures down to 40° F because the milder temperatures like this have the most frequent occurrence of hyperthermia. I must also be able to be comfortable at 15° F if the temperature drops suddenly, because I hike in the mountains.

If I do not allow myself to get overheated or chilled, this is quite comfortable for me. I am a warm sleeper. If cold at night, I eat a Snickers candybar and drink a little water to kick-start "central heating".

I have Croakies for my eyeglasses, because it is so easy for even the smallest branch to remove eyeglasses: some people carry spare eyeglasses, I have Croakies.

Note: Most clothing is not really appropriate for staying outdoors.

My solution: I purchase nice looking, yet, highly specialized outdoor clothing.

The total carried weight, of course, depends on the amount of food, water and fuel carried.

pack

• Gossamer Gear, Gorilla Pack

spring/fall shelter

• Sierra Designs, Nitro 15
• Pacific Outdoor Equipment, Über Elite
• Six Moon Designs, Meteor Bivy
• Mountain Laurel Designs, Monk Tarp

summer shelter

• enLightened equipment, Epiphany XP down quilt
• Exped, DownMat 7 Air Pad with Pump - Short
• Mountain Laurel Designs, LightSoul bivy
• Six Moon Designs, Wild Oasis

outerwear

• Mont Bell, Stretch Wind Jacket
• Mont Bell, U.L.Thermawrap Vest
• Ortovox, Merino Supersoft Long Sleeve W-Z
• MontBell, Stretch Wind Pants
• Pearl Izumi, X-Static racing socks
• REI, LED Trail Cap

rainwear

• Cedar Tree, Packa
• Exped-Chaps
• Outdoor Research, Mohave sun hat

toiletries

• Eco Select, travelsize biodegradable wipes
• Wysi Wipe, Biodegradable Towelettes
• Sea to Summit, Pocket Soap
• MSR, Nano Towel
• Charmin, Basic To Go
• Puffs To Go, tissues
• Toothbrush, travel size
• Revelation, tooth powder
• travel size floss, small
• fingernail clippers

kitchen

• Zelph, Super Stove
• Vargo, 750 ml Sierra Cup
• Snow Peak, titanium Short Spork
• 2-liter Platypus, Big Zip SL
• Sawyer, in-line water filter
• 1-liter Platypus, plusBottle
• Katdyn, Micropur MP 1-Water Purifyer Tablets
• AntiGravitygear TreeLine 40' Spectra 725 Line
• Loksak, OPSAK food trash bag
• Loksak, OPSAK food bag
• Ursack, bearbag

Sufficient Food, Water, and Fuel

Items Worn, carried or in pockets

• Merrell, Moab Ventilator and Good Feet MAX insoles
• PolarWrap, Toasty Feet
• Speedo, water shoes
• Pearl Izumi, X-Static racing sock
• Jockey for Her, Comfries microfiber underwear
• Sea to Summit, eVAC Dry Sack
• MontBell, Stretch Gaiter
• Haglöfs, Regulus Gloves
• PSolar.EX, facemask
• PrAna, Lt Weight Beanie
• Bug-Me-Not, Head Net
• Kafka, Original Kool Tie
• 1-liter Platypus, plusBottle Holster
• Bolle, Vigilanti sunglasses, w/prescription, w/Croakies
• Timex, Expedition watch (alarm, light, compass)
• Silva, Wrist Sighting 424 Compass
• Photon, X-Light Micro
• Trango, Piranha Alpine Knife, and/or tiny folding sissors
• 1st aid kit, signaling mirror, orange smoke, Storm whistle
• Walgreen's, oil-free sunscreen SPF 30
• Lip Rescue, Tea Tree Oil lip balm
• National Geographic, TOPO! 7.5 series maps printed on waterproof paper
• Aloksak, map case, w/Stormproof, matches inside
• iPod Touch with Orange Systems iGPS360 and xGPS
• Money, prepaid credit card, ID
• permits