[pct-l] Ultra Light Backpack Pros and Cons

[Tortoise]

I don't consider myself and ultra-light hiker, just a section hiker who 
wants to keep the load down.

I use an ULA Catalyst and my base weight including pack is 17 - 18 pounds 
and I'm working to cut more weight.
To carry water I use 4 1 liter ginger ale bottles and they have stood up 
well. For desert hiking I'd add something else.
I use a .9 liter Evernew titanium pot with lid. I use an older Primus 
canister stove and just a ti spoon for eating. I have a crude pot cozy made 
from a pajama leg which doubles as a stuff sack for the pot, the stove goes 
inside the pot. I eat out of my pot or the Mt. House bags. I carry a 
titanium cup for my morning coffee.

I use paint strainer bags or Hefty slider bags instead of stuff sacks for a 
lot of my gear. Lighter and I can see what is inside.

There are lots of ways to cut ounces and pounds -- the first question is 
how much do I need/want this? Is it worth carrying the weight mile after mile?

Tortoise

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable
President John F Kennedy,  1962

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On 2011.12.17 15:14, Russell Mease wrote:
> I think most on this list are of the ultra-light crowd.  I am leaning in
> that direction for certain pieces of gear (just purchased a tarptent notch
> at 24 ozs) but for other pieces of gear, specifically the pack that you
> wear every day and thus is the most important for comfort of your trip, I
> am curious about the pros and cons of using an ultra-light pack, such as
> the ULA and GoLight packs.  I currently own an Osprey Aether 70 which
> weighs in at about 4.5 lbs.  As I'm looking into the Osprey Exos and other
> light packs, and as I read people's experiences with these packs on this
> forum, I am constantly reading things like, "lasted 500 miles and then had
> to replace", "the strap broke...", "it got ripped up in the desert
> section", "had sore shoulders because most of the weight rested on my
> shoulders", etc....
>
> Here's my question:  Is it worth having a lightweight pack if you have to
> suffer carrying 25-30 lbs with in-adequate support and a pack that will
> have to be replaced every 500-1000 miles (at $150-$250 a pop), sore
> shoulders, sweaty back because of no ventilation, etc....  Or, is it wiser
> to go with a more traditional pack like the Aether, sacrifice some weight
> (but stick to light weight gear for the rest) and be able to carry your
> pack in comfort and the pack will last the entire thru-hike and most likely
> many more years of use?
>
> I am just curious if anybody has regretted going with an ultra-light pack
> because of these issues.  I am planning an estimated base pack weight of
> about 20 lbs (including the Aether) and expecting 35-40 lbs full pack
> weight.  My gear list is here:
> http://russmease.blogspot.com/p/pct-gear-list.html
>
> Thanks for your reply!
> Russ Mease
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