McDowell Crook's ultralight backpacking page

The bearable lightness of being

Shortly after starting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail with a 45-lb. pack in 1999, I realized that ultralight backpacking had something to offer. Namely comfort, safety, and agility. Once you go light, you'll never go back.

It goes without saying that a 20 lb. pack is a lot more fun to carry than 40 lbs. But a light pack is also much safer, since you don't have to worry about ankle injuries or falling as much. Coupled with a pair of hiking poles, an ultralight pack makes hiking easier and smoother, increasing your ability to move quickly and fluidly. A light pack also renders large heavy boots unnecessary. Trail running shoes are way more breathable and cause fewer blisters.

While ultralight gear undoubtedly makes the hiking easier, it doesn't necesarily make the camping better. Gone are the plush mattresses, camp chairs, and cooking sets. However, the key is in adjusting your comfort level. Once you focus on the fact that you don't have to lug a heavy pack, you appreciate the things you do carry. Lightweight gear has progressed in recent years to the point where you can carry almost everything you need and still have a pre-pack weight (minus food and water) of around 10 pounds. Hiking with a pack this light is a wholly different experience.

Below is a list of the gear I carry now. It varies depending on the season, but only by a few pounds. Right now my total pack weight before adding food and water is right around 12 pounds. I could get it lighter if I wanted, but every hiker has certain 'extravangances' they allow themselves to carry and I'm no exception. For instance, I simply must have a Thermarest and camp chair. I just can't sleep or relax without them. I also carry a book and a flask, for obvious reasons.

You can easily make up for these excesses by cutting weight in other areas. The best way to do this is to find gear that serves at least two purposes. For instance, I don't carry rain gear because my tarp doubles as a poncho. My trekking poles can be converted into a camera tripod of sorts, and my tent stakes double as a trowel. Another popular method for cutting weight is to use alcohol rather than white gas for cooking. This allows incredible weight saving and means that I can find fuel near virtually any trail. An "ultralight" Google search will reveal hundreds of similar weight-trimming tips. You can start with this article. I also recommend Jason Klass' website--he's got a lot of interesting video reviews and tutorials. I'll include a list of good links at the bottom of the page eventually.

Regardless of what gear you choose to carry, always hike your own hike and let everyone else hike theirs. Solvitas perambulum, my friends.

Questions? email me.

Image	Item Description and Link	Weight	Notes
Pack system: Total weight: 45.5 oz.
	Gregory G-Pack Medium 2700 cu. in.	2 lbs. 12 oz.	This pack is great for loads of 25 lbs. or lighter. Plenty of room, great structure, and lots of fitting options. I also like the hipbelt pockets and hydration sleeve. This pack is a great compromise between light weight and solid load-bearing capability. I've found that superlight packs (like the GoLite Breeze, etc.) are so flimsy that they don't carry well for me. Your mileage may vary.
	Granite Gear Air Bags (3)	.56 oz. each	These are great for organizing everything inside my pack, since it doesn't have any pockets. I carry my kitchen stuff in one bag, my food in another, and everything else in the last.
Shelter system: Total weight: 21.7 oz.
	Six Moon Designs Gatewood Cape	11 oz.	This is my shelter and my raingear. It can be worn as a poncho over me my pack and I when hiking, and can be set up as a shelter while being worn. This keeps me from having to carry rain gear, a pack cover, or a pack liner. A bug net (below) is designed to fit inside. Used in conjunction with an umbrella for total rain protection.
	Six Moon Designs Serenity NetTent	7 oz.	This can be set up alone on nice but buggy nights, or can fit inside the shelter on buggy and rainy nights. Has a water-resistant bottom, but I use a groundcloth just to be sure.
	1 Easton 9" aluminum stake 5 Easton 6" aluminum stakes	.5 oz. each .3 oz. each	I prefer these peg-type stakes because they can be hit with a rock into rocky soil. Traditional hook stakes bend too easily. I carry one longer stake because my shelter uses a single guy line that holds the whole thing up. In loose soil a longer stake ensures the tarp won't collapse. I also use the larger stake as a trowel to dig cat holes with.
	Tyvek groundcloth	3.5 oz.	Strong and seriously waterproof. I just use a small piece to keep me from wet ground. You can draw a chess or backgammon board on this with a permanent marker and carry a small set of travel pieces and some dice.
Sleeping system: Total weight: 35.5 oz.
	Marmot Pounder 40° F Regular	16 oz.	Synthetic, for 2-3 season use only. Actually only keeps you warm to about 50°. I generally don't use down bags because they get wet so easily (once down gets wet it loses almost all heat retention). I use a tarp shelter which causes condensation inside, so I have to expect some moisture on my bag. In the winter I use a Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20, which weighs 3 lbs, 1 oz.
	Thermarest ProLite Small	11 oz.	This mattress is super light and super small. I prefer it to the new air mattresses.
	Thermarest fleece-lined stuff sack pillow, size small	2 oz.	I keep my extra clothes and silk liner in here during the day. At night I turn the bag inside out to expose the fleece side and stuff everything back in. I sleep very comfortably. Brilliant invention.
	Cocoon Silk sleeping bag liner	4.5 oz.	Supposed to add at least 9° F to a sleeping bag’s rating, but this is hard to verify. It does feel like it adds some warmth, though. I like to sleep in this if it's too hot to sleep in my regular bag.
Rain gear: Total weight: 4.7 oz. (not including poncho/tarp)
	Snow Peak Umbrella	4.7 oz.	Collapsible and compact. Great for hiking in light rain or when moving around camp after my shelter is set up. In heavy rain I use my poncho and the umbrella for total coverage.
Cooking system: Total weight: 20 oz.
	Snow Peak Mini Titanium Solo Cook Set (110 fl. oz. pot and 29 fl. oz. cup)	5.5 oz.	Really only suitable for a solo meal, but it will cook a two-person Mountain Home dinner. I can fit my stove, fuel, and cleaning supplies in here as well.
	StarLyte UltraLyte alcohol stove	stove .56 oz. screen .74 oz.	Alcohol is the only way to go. Cheap, light, and widely available. You must appreciate your noodles al dente though. This fantastic little stove was made by 'Elph' at bplite.com.
	Small Plastic alcohol bottles (3-4)	9.5 oz. (full)	You usually only need about 1-1½ fluid ounces to cook a solo meal. I usually carry about 10 fluid ounces with me. Alcohol can also be used as an antiseptic if you're injured.
	P38 can opener	0.3 oz.	In case I need some tuna pronto.
	Spoon	0.5 oz.	No frills needed here. Everything you eat can be handled with a spoon. I do recommend using a sturdy spoon because cheap ones will melt in boiling water. I like this one because I can fold it and store it in my cooking pot.
	Small sponge	.25 oz.	Necessary, especially if you've burned the noodles.
	Lighter	1 oz.	I usually carry two of these.
Water system: Total weight: 10.5 oz.
	Platypus Hoser 2-liter hydration bag	4.5 oz. (empty)	I love to hydrate while moving. It's the only way to fly.
	Coghlan's coated nylon water bag	2 oz.	Great water bag for use at the campsite so you don't have to keep going back to the creek for water. It can carry 2 1/2 gallons of water, and will sit on the ground without spilling. I can treat 2 gallons of water at night and have plenty to go in the morning.
	Platypus Platy Water bottle (2)	1 oz. (each)	I carry a one liter bottle for extra hydration. My big hydration bag can't carry enough for a whole day. I also use this bottle for making Gatorade and other mixed drinks. I can also use it to collect slow-drip seep water if necessary. This can be substituted for a cheap plastic water bottle if desired, but the Platy is the lightest bottle around. I also carry a .5 liter bottle for certain celebratory libations.
	Polar Pure iodine crystals	3 oz.	This is the best iodine water treatment around. If you're worried about long-term use, try Aqua Mira. But for short hikes, you can't beat these iodine crystals. One bottle treats up to 2000 quarts of water at less than 1/2 cent per quart. Bottle cap is used to measure and decant solution -- no other equipment is needed. Easy and simple, and the iodine taste is negligible. I keep the glass bottle wrapped inside my water bag for protection while hiking, and keep it in a separate waterproof ziplock freezer bag in case it somehow breaks.
Hygiene/First Aid: Total weight: 11.75 oz.
	Dr. Bronnor's biodegradable soap	1.5 oz. (full)	This stuff is great for general hygiene. Wash your hands, hair, dishes, teeth. Concentrated.
	Katadyn Klean Hand Sanitizer	1.5 oz. (full)	I'm amazed at how filthy my hands can get when I'm camping. This can be used as a cleaner or as an antiseptic in an emergency.
	Toothbrush	.25 oz.	Yes, I cut it in half. I use a dab of Dr. Bronner's soap for toothpaste.
	First Aid kit	7.75 oz.	Just a bunch of necessary stuff in a ziplock bag. Includes toilet paper, pills, thermarest repair kit, needle, kevlar thread, chapstick, bandages, neosporin, medical tape, moleskin, etc.
	Body Glide	1 oz.	For serious chafing problems. I use small stick. Works much better than Gold Bond.
Lighting: Total weight: 1.05 oz.
	Photon LED lights	.25 oz. each	I use two of these and have no problems operating at night at all. The batteries last forever--I've heard of them lasting an entire thru-hike.
	Photon clip and lanyard	0.3 oz. total	I use these to attach the lights to me at night.
	Black Crater Cord Lock LED Light	.25 oz.	This clever little light is actually a cordlock which goes on the drawstring for my sleeping bag hood. I can read with it and never have to search for a light in the dark.
Clothing: Total weight: 15.23 oz.
	Mosquito Headnet	0.33 oz	This mosquito net is useful critical when hiking in the South in spring or summer. Mainly for use in camp when the mosquitos, no-see-ums, and sweat bees hover around your face and ears. This mesh item is also used as a particulate filter when pouring drinking water into my hydration bag and water bottle.
	Smartwool PhD Light Mini socks *	2 oz.	Smartwools are the best. Bombproof and comfortable. I carry two pair.
	Polyester shirt *	3 oz.	I use cheap running shirts as they are designed not to chafe.
	Patagonia capilene longsleeve shirt	3.5 oz.	Lightweight and warm layer for cold mornings or evenings.
	Patagonia capilene underwear *	2 oz.	Comfortable and durable. I carry two pair and wash them in creeks frequently. My theory is that the salt buildup causes chafing.
	North Face Paramount zip shorts/pants *	4.2 oz.	Shorts for hiking, pants for colder nights or bushwhacking.
	Superfeet Synergizer Green Capsule insoles *	2.2 oz.	I put these in every pair of shoes I hike in. Maximum support, balance and shock absorption.
	Adidas Response trail running shoe *	10 oz.	Strong enough to handle lots of rocks, stable enough to keep you from twisting an ankle, and light enough to skip through the forest. These will also dry out quickly if wet. After hiking in these I will never hike in bulky leather boots again.
	Dirty Girl gaiters *	3 oz.	Dirty Girl gaiters have lots of sass and keep rocks out of your shoes. Made for use with running shoes, they attach with velcro at the back rather than using a cord underneath. No more broken cords. I have the camo model.
	Waldie's Appalachian Trail Clogs	9.4 oz.	These are probably the lightest camp shoes I've found that have some semblance of sturdiness. While on the AT in 1999 I used some cheap flip flops similar to Rainmaker's gram weenie sandals, but they had very limited use. Waldies are more comfortable than Crocs, in my opinion.
Miscellaneous: Total weight: 18.2 oz.
	Thermarest Compack Chair	6 oz.	This little fella is worth every ounce after a long day on your feet. Turns any standard 20-inch camping mattress into a comfortable chair.
	40 feet of Spectra 725 line	1 oz.	Primarily for bearbagging, but variously useful. Break strength is 725 lbs. Kept in a small bag which holds rocks for throwing over tree branches. I use a small carabiner for easy food bag hanging and for foolproof bearbagging
	Swiss Army knife	.75 oz.	Has tweezers, knife, scissors. All you need. And it glows in the dark.
	Bandana	0.9 oz.	This all-purpose tool serves as a pot holder, doo rag, sweatband, napkin, water strainer, sling, tarp-condensation remover, tourniquet, you name it. As Douglas Adams once said about the towel, it "is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have." This particular bandana can be used to catch rides to town and back when resupplying. I think the word "hiker" on the sign helps distinguish me from a bum.
	Aerowave Zipper Pull Survival Whistle	.5 oz.	I always carry a whistle, because you never know if you're going to get lost or injured. This one is small and doubles as a zipper pull.
	iPhone 3G	4.8 oz.	I carry my cell phone for communication, mapping, and photography. I used to carry a nice camera with me but the iPhone's camera really does fine. If I turn the power off between shots a charge will last me a few days. New version available.
	Aquapac waterproof phone case	1.3 oz.	This case is 100% waterproof to 15 feet and allows you to use the camera/phone while in the bag. Bouyant and keeps out dust and dirt as well.
	Minty Boost iPhone charger	1.9 oz.	This do-it-yourself charger is relatively easy to assemble (a little soldering is required) and uses AA batteries, which can be easily replaced while hiking. Fits in an Altoids tin and will fully charge an iPhone.
	Cheap ear buds	0.5 oz.	I carry a cheap pair of these in case I want to listen to music while I hike. These can be handy when you get an old 80's song stuck in your head for a couple of hours.
	Leki Super Makalu hiking poles *	19.5 oz.	I bought these in 1999 when they came out. The anti-shock is pointless and makes the poles clangy and loud, but I love 'em. They went to Maine with me in 1999 and with my friend Adam in 2000. I've named them Click and Clack. In my opinion poles are the most essential piece of hiking gear. They provide stability and balance when you're topheavy. Most importantly, they allow you to propel forward using your arm muscles, which helps your legs. It's also great to have two sharp sticks in your hands if you come across anything dangerous.
	A good book	4 oz.	Always come prepared simultaneously for enlightenment or boredom. I use the margins and inside cover for journal entries.
Total pre-pack weight: 192.8 oz. or approximately 12 lbs. * Denotes items usually worn on body, so not counted toward pack weight.
Missing items/ possibly to get in future
DeLorme PN-40 Montbell Ultralight Down Inner Jacket Casio EX-G1 Camera Cabela's TurtleSkin Snake Armor Gaiters
My links
My 1999 AT Thru-Hike Photos Kayak days The Smokies 50 Peaks

Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog - Caspar David Friedrich, 1818