Bushwalk Australia

Think i got it right now so I'm not hijacking anyones thread ( Apologies Strider)

Good site fellas, I've been getting increasingly disenchanted with Australian sites, they're a bit slow catching on with the ultralight gear (like i was!)
I've just been sourcing from O/S, mostly direct from manufacturers, building up a setup. Tell ya wot, don't have to tell you how much better it is carrying 8 odd kg over 18-20!

Thought I'd throw this on for some ideas and feed back, It's a 3 season (snow - yuk) & I go out for a 10 day stretch before resup.

Base weight 3119.5kg + Consumables 4940kg = Total weight - 8059.5kg, still a couple of small things to add to weights - small hygiene things, thermals - no need for long johns in The Territory for the majority of the year

Cheers Jason (Katherine NT)

Item Model Manufacturer Weight (g)

Pack
Pack Exo 50lt with frame Zpacks 357

Shelter/Rain
Shelter Gatewood Cape Six Moon Designs 300
Net/Groundsheet Serenity Net Tent Six Moon Designs 200
Pegs Titanium x 8 Vargo 69

Sleeping
Sleeping bag X-Lite 200 Cumulus 430
Sleeping Mat Foam Any 150

Clothing
Fleece Corey Micro Fleece Graghoppers 320
Socks x 2 pr The Hiker - Antelope (100g) The Sock Revolution 200
Thermal Top 0
Thermal Bottom 0
Towel Nano Lite S 41cmx43cm Packtowl 14

Hygiene
Hygiene Toothbrush/paste 55
Medical Kit 100
Protection Block/Mozzie & Lip 100

Anciliary
Compass Model 54/6400/B Silva 35
Note Book/Pen 50
Pocketknife Style Leatherman 23
Headtorch 55
Camera 5mp Waterproof AAA battery Base 130
Monocular MM 6x18 Luger 76
Batteries Spare 2 x AAA Lithium 14
Radio DT-120 AM/FM Sangean 56

Stove/Cookware
Stove Titanium Folding Solid Fuel Esbit 11.5
Fuel Heximine Tablets 12 @ 26g Ea ADI 312
Cup EBY-265 Titanium 400 ml Evernew 52
Spork Plastic Lite My Fire 10

Food/Water 10 days
Water 1 ltr 1000
Dehydrated Meals 10 days Assorted Back Country 900
Scroggin 10 days Dried fruit/nut/seeds + choc covered 1000
Museli bars 10 days Pkt 12 540
Museli/Oats 10 days zip lock bags 1500

Youve gone light
Heres some suggestions for lighter if you havent ordered all.

Z packs Blast 30 - 224 grams
I too was looking at the Exo however, as my weight is going to be low (not as low as yours) I decided the extra support was not needed.

Z packs 20 sleeping bag - 329grams

Depends where your walking, but can you have camp fires up there and save the hexamine?

Gatewood cape will be nasty in wet season, but dry season use should be ok.

Always worth taking the basics of a first aid kit and I have to brush my teeth at least every couple of days at the most....furry...

What are you putting water in?

hi guys

Love this topic at the moment, I'm in the process of putting a light weight 3 season pack together for a 8 day through the Blue Mountains with three persons. I'm just looking around at the moment for 50 - 60 ltr pack, lightweight bag with -0 degrees rating, but cant decide on a light weight tent or bivvy. Wondering if anyone might have suggestions on quality lightweight 3 season kit to make the kit building process easier.

Thanks in advance.
chris

Jason68 wrote:Base weight 2864.5kg + Consumables 4940kg = Total weight - 7804.5kg

So, you walk with a unimog as backup? hehe

Total weight 7804 kg.

You'd need a semi,


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Jason68 wrote:Hygiene Toothbrush/paste 0

I know this will add weight but maybe better than not using toothpaste at all ... toothpaste dots

Andrew

Jason68 wrote:Stove/Cookware
Stove Titanium Folding Solid Fuel Esbit 11.5
Fuel Heximine Tablets 12 @ 26g Ea ADI 312
Cup EBY-265 Titanium 400 ml Evernew 52
Spork Plastic Lite My Fire 10

Food/Water 10 days
Water 1 ltr 1000
Dehydrated Meals 10 days Assorted Back Country 900
Scroggin 10 days Dried fruit/nut/seeds + choc covered 1000
Museli bars 10 days Pkt 12 540
Museli/Oats 10 days zip lock bags 1500

I agree with the others about your food, you are not carrying enough for an adult male.
If you really want to reduce your pack weight that much, why don't you leave behind all food and cooking gear, and replace them with emergency food bars like those ones: http://www.survivalstorehouse.com/Survi ... k.tpl.html. You will get more energy then with what you are carrying now, and your bag weight will even drop few more kgs. The total weight declared for ten days (30 meals) is less then 2.5 kgs. I never tried them, but I got a feedback from a friend, and apparently are quite good. I just placed an order myself.

If you go this way I'd suggest to bring with you a couple of Back Country meals, just to add variety to your menu, and replace your cooking system with a Vargo Titanium water bottle. http://adventurefriends.com.au/vargo-ti ... er-bottle/
You can boil water in it using a small woodfire (as you will not need to cook every night, but only when you feel like), and you will use it as normal bottle during the day, adding 0 grams to your total weight. I'd strongly suggest to bring multivitamines as well, and some tea and sugar.

Rico

Aushiker wrote:

Jason68 wrote:Hygiene Toothbrush/paste 0

I know this will add weight but maybe better than not using toothpaste at all ... toothpaste dots

Andrew

If you find yourself trying to save weight by leaving toothpaste and toothbrush at home, you're probably taking things too far.

If you're considering a pre-hike enema to shave a few grams,you're definitely taking things too far.

I have perfectionist tendencies, which is why I'll NEVER buy a set of digital scales. I don't need hiking to become the trigger for OCD

I'll put forth another idea: An alternative way to go even lighter is to take along a hunting device of some sort, such as importing lightweight 540g packrifle (which also doubles up as a fishing pole)
and not worry about carrying food! .



Might sound like a crazy idea, but i've done it myself. Over a decade ago, I lived & worked with aboriginal groups in the outback for 6 months doing regional outreach programs. We did a 200km horse ride over 2 weeks to celebrate an elder's 80th birthday.
we basically carried no food and lived off the land, such as eating witcherty grubs, Gnuri (tree sap), seeds and hunting local delicacies. Its over a decade ago so I hadnt heard of the word "ultralight" or SUL back then, but the principle was there. I still carried toothpaste tho.

I did something similar 4 years ago during a workshop in central Australia. We also slept without tent or sleeping bag, as we had 3 small wooden fire around us, traditional aboriginal way. It was a pleasant night from any point of view. Katherine gorge NP has many small caves that can be used in case of rain, I think it'd feasable to go without a shelter and sleeping bag.

This is getting fun!! How many kgs are we now?


http://www.AdventureFriends.com.au

Hey mate, im really into this ultra lighting business now too. Im hoping one of the mods or admins will make a Ultra lighting section.
As for weight saving, it really depends on the area, how much your willing to sacrifice and how remote the area is.
My local track is the Bibbulmun and it has huts, water tanks etc, so I dont need a shelter, I can carry very little water (even though I carry heaps!) and resupply along the track as the towns come by. Gossamer gear has a veritable plethora of resources on their site that really helped me. I am aiming to go quite light but not SUL where id be carrying 2.5Kg of gear.

mattmacman wrote:Im hoping one of the mods or admins will make a Ultra lighting section.

You could make a formal suggestion here: viewforum.php?f=11
I would be interested in the prospect but have not given much thought to the practical implications.

Hi mattmacman,

Im hoping one of the mods or admins will make a Ultra lighting section

If you want a forum to discuss lightweight gear you should start a new thread as not to hijack this thread.

There used to be a forum on lightweight gear, due to objections by some about using the name lightweight it was called Weight reduction, it was originally formed because a few very vocal members could not handle discussion about lightweight gear, at times they became quite rude, many times I was told that going lightweight was dangerous amd expensive and I was going to need emergency evacuation or die if I went lightweight, as far as I can recall there was never any discussion that everyone had to go lightweight, it was jst a few of us that enjoyed discussing lightweight gear. Then as the years went by and no members died using lightweight gear it became more acceptable to discuss lightweight and ultra light gear on Bushwalk.com and it became more acceptable to post about lightweight gear in the equipment forum and the weight reduction forum had very few posts, so the Weight reduction forum was dropped and the threads where placed under the Equipment thread.


I do miss the old Weight reduction forum and I would be happy to support a new forum on lightweight gear but it would have Lightweight and or Ultra light in the name.

Tony

[quote="Earthling"]Youve gone light
Hey Earthling,

Looked @ the Blast, didn't like the cuben fibre only (@ time - now available hybrid), went with the Exo cse it was the hybrid material & sun stable plus flexable re frame on/of (off 100g).
Didn't notice their sleeping bag! Will have a gander

Re toothbrush/first aide (things listed @ 0 g), do carry, just haven't got around 2 weighing, nothing worse than furries

Re water, was using 600ml pump bottle but thought i'd try woolies 1lt bottle with carbon filter (84g). Thought being th@ i can bomb the water if needed for bacterial nasties, & the carbon filter will do that rest.

Cheers Jason

Macca81 wrote:

Jason68 wrote:Base weight 2864.5kg + Consumables 4940kg = Total weight - 7804.5kg

So, you walk with a unimog as backup? hehe

He...he... good 2c sum1 has a sense of humour Unimog = turbo diesel mercedes with sunroof

Aushiker wrote:

Jason68 wrote:Hygiene Toothbrush/paste 0

I know this will add weight but maybe better than not using toothpaste at all ... toothpaste dots

Andrew

lol... Aushiker... do carry things listed @ 0g, just havent got around 2 weighing them yet.... boring stuff

JohnM wrote:

Aushiker wrote:

Jason68 wrote:Hygiene Toothbrush/paste 0

I know this will add weight but maybe better than not using toothpaste at all ... toothpaste dots

Andrew

If you find yourself trying to save weight by leaving toothpaste and toothbrush at home, you're probably taking things too far.

If you're considering a pre-hike enema to shave a few grams,you're definitely taking things too far.

I have perfectionist tendencies, which is why I'll NEVER buy a set of digital scales. I don't need hiking to become the trigger for OCD

lol.... do carry that stuff, just havent got around 2 weighing - practicality with digital scales

Rico wrote:

Jason68 wrote:

Food/Water 10 days
Water 1 ltr 1000
Dehydrated Meals 10 days Assorted Back Country 900
Scroggin 10 days Dried fruit/nut/seeds + choc covered 1000
Museli bars 10 days Pkt 12 540
Museli/Oats 10 days zip lock bags 1500

I agree with the others about your food, you are not carrying enough for an adult male.
If you really want to reduce your pack weight that much, why don't you leave behind all food and cooking gear, and replace them with emergency food bars like those ones: http://www.survivalstorehouse.com/Survi ... k.tpl.html. You will get more energy then with what you are carrying now, and your bag weight will even drop few more kgs. The total weight declared for ten days (30 meals) is less then 2.5 kgs. I never tried them, but I got a feedback from a friend, and apparently are quite good. I just placed an order myself.

If you go this way I'd suggest to bring with you a couple of Back Country meals, just to add variety to your menu, and replace your cooking system with a Vargo Titanium water bottle. http://adventurefriends.com.au/vargo-ti ... er-bottle/
You can boil water in it using a small woodfire (as you will not need to cook every night, but only when you feel like), and you will use it as normal bottle during the day, adding 0 grams to your total weight. I'd strongly suggest to bring multivitamines as well, and some tea and sugar.

Rico

The food works 4me, obviously it may b considered starvation diet 4 others?
Me however, I really don't eat th@ much, I'm 1 of those ppl who cut down my rat pak 2 the tins and chocolate only.
I've read alot of those calourie studies, how much I should carry/eat per day, but all I do is wander 20/30km a day & easily maintain my body w8
I like the single serve dehyds 4 a hot meal @ end of day, carry a few herbs/spices & luv a good cuppa

ninjapuppet wrote:I'll put forth another idea: An alternative way to go even lighter is to take along a hunting device of some sort, such as importing lightweight 540g packrifle (which also doubles up as a fishing pole)
and not worry about carrying food! .



Might sound like a crazy idea, but i've done it myself. Over a decade ago, I lived & worked with aboriginal groups in the outback for 6 months doing regional outreach programs. We did a 200km horse ride over 2 weeks to celebrate an elder's 80th birthday.
we basically carried no food and lived off the land, such as eating witcherty grubs, Gnuri (tree sap), seeds and hunting local delicacies. Its over a decade ago so I hadnt heard of the word "ultralight" or SUL back then, but the principle was there. I still carried toothpaste tho.

EMUS cooked.jpg

Luv the rifle..... bet we wd be popular Miss those days, u cd b depended on 2b b an adult & responsible 4 ones actions... sigh

Tony wrote:Hi mattmacman,

Im hoping one of the mods or admins will make a Ultra lighting section

If you want a forum to discuss lightweight gear you should start a new thread as not to hijack this thread.

There used to be a forum on lightweight gear, due to objections by some about using the name lightweight it was called Weight reduction, it was originally formed because a few very vocal members could not handle discussion about lightweight gear, at times they became quite rude, many times I was told that going lightweight was dangerous amd expensive and I was going to need emergency evacuation or die if I went lightweight, as far as I can recall there was never any discussion that everyone had to go lightweight, it was jst a few of us that enjoyed discussing lightweight gear. Then as the years went by and no members died using lightweight gear it became more acceptable to discuss lightweight and ultra light gear on Bushwalk.com and it became more acceptable to post about lightweight gear in the equipment forum and the weight reduction forum had very few posts, so the Weight reduction forum was dropped and the threads where placed under the Equipment thread.


I do miss the old Weight reduction forum and I would be happy to support a new forum on lightweight gear but it would have Lightweight and or Ultra light in the name.

Tony

Wd luv a folder, but surely we cd co-exist? The good thing about a folder is that all info is in one spot, it really is a pain sifting so many threads across multiple areas, but then again, it exposes all to everyones different ideas.
It really is up 2 the individual what he/she wants 2 carry and how? Really don't see why peopple get a bee in there bonnet & think their approach is the definitive 1?
I've been thru different phases in humping packs from Military 40kg, 2 Civie 18-20kg 2 the latest rationalisation under 10kg.
My motive 4 putting this post out there is simply th@ i luv getting out in2 the bush & anything we can all do to encourage ppls thoughts/ideas on the matter is cool

Hey Jason

Nice gear you've put together.

I have the Jatbula track in my sights, and having never hiked in the NT would be interested in your advice. What shoes / boots work for you ? I have got use to hiking in Innov8s and heard they can suffer on sharp rocky ground. Also what sort of temps are you getting down to in the dry season ?

Cheers

Dale.

Dale wrote:Hey Jason

Nice gear you've put together.

I have the Jatbula track in my sights, and having never hiked in the NT would be interested in your advice. What shoes / boots work for you ? I have got use to hiking in Innov8s and heard they can suffer on sharp rocky ground. Also what sort of temps are you getting down to in the dry season ?

Cheers

Dale.

Hi Dale, M8 the walk is not 2 stenuous @ all, just ova 10kms a day (5 day), very pleasant in the dry & u hav a creek/falls @ the end of each day.
Book early on NRETA site as it is busy, they allow 10ppl/section/day @ a time, mud maps/info on site.
Shoes - Jatbula not 2 rugged, the southern walks (smitt rock & jawoyn valley cct can be). I started off hiking up here with a good set of scarpas, soon worked out th@ they were 2 hot/sweaty and heavy & went 2 KT26s, it depends wot u r comfy with hey?
Temps during the dry, 25s (5 degree hotter on scarp) thru the day 10-15 ova nyt? Keep in mind there r approx 2 weeks of "winter" wen temps can get down 2 zero o/nyt! Th@s wen the locals get round looking lyk eskimos
All covered by light fleece & a set of thermals (depending on sleeping bag rating) & depending on wot ur used 2? Over all very pleasant.
Last of the wet around easter, allow a month after th@ so water can drop/get cyrstal clear and it's magic!
Eigtht gorge/Jawoyn valley in Nitmaluk and Tabletop walk in Litchfield also worth a look if u hav tym?
Give me yell if u need more info hey
Cheers Jason

highlander chris wrote:hi guys

Love this topic at the moment, I'm in the process of putting a light weight 3 season pack together for a 8 day through the Blue Mountains with three persons. I'm just looking around at the moment for 50 - 60 ltr pack, lightweight bag with -0 degrees rating, but cant decide on a light weight tent or bivvy. Wondering if anyone might have suggestions on quality lightweight 3 season kit to make the kit building process easier.

Thanks in advance.
chris

Just cruise the sites Chris, add 2 favs under wot ur looking 4 ie sleeping bag, then start culling from there, its amazing wots out there, most O/S tho mores the pity.
My process of thought on items -
50 lt pak cse I'm out 4 10 days +, if ur only doing short trips u can get away with a 30lt - depending on the type of gear u carry of course.
I went 4 the Cumulus x-lite 200 bag cse it was lyt weight & has hood, as pointed out on thread (sorry can't remember who) Zpacks have 0 rated bag lighter but without hood?
I went thru the lytw8 tent/bivy process and decided on the Gatewood Cape/net tent setup cse w8 & cape dual use. Net tent can also be used by itself, gr8 4 tropics. I just ended up preferring being able 2 move around in comfort versus the sweating, constricted bivy experiences. 2 keep sleeping bag off ground I weighed up both cuben fbre and krvek groundsheets, but ended up just getting a net with groundsheet incorporated.
All good hey, the nets wonderful!
Cheers Jason

Cheers Jason
Yep been searching sites, and found some good gear. Just have to decide on the wide selection.
Thanks Chris

Guys just be mindful when using a poncho as a tarp you may be coming into camp after hard walking, you body cools RAPIDLY, it may be raining, cold, and to top it off your taking off your wind and water protection to attempt to erect your shelter, its a very dangerous practice in climates that aren't dry and dependable. Be safe, be smart.

mattmacman wrote:Guys just be mindful when using a poncho as a tarp you may be coming into camp after hard walking, you body cools RAPIDLY, it may be raining, cold, and to top it off your taking off your wind and water protection to attempt to erect your shelter, its a very dangerous practice in climates that aren't dry and dependable. Be safe, be smart.

Yeah, tossed that one around for a while actually, but it come down to everything's a compromise to a certain degree and I was willing to accept the risk.
To mitagate the the risk I use a combination of layering (love merino wool), choosing place/time to pull up for the day and as a last resort strip off, hop in the bag and get the blood moving

Fair enough, I personally use a Outdoor Research helium jacket nice and light.
I do notice though that the water rolls of my merino jumper quite nicely.

Jason68 wrote:as a last resort strip off, hop in the bag and get the blood moving

The mind abounds with possible meanings. Oh dear!

Ha! Strider I pondered the same thought this morning. Oh dear

mattmacman wrote:Fair enough, I personally use a Outdoor Research helium jacket nice and light.
I do notice though that the water rolls of my merino jumper quite nicely.

Will have a look at that jacket M'man

Strider and Bluegum ..... ..... where's an angel emoticon when you want one?!