Mole
Thru Hiker
I can see the attraction of the minimal bag.
I really can't see the clothing levels listed as being appropriate long term for UK hills though. Except maybe on the half dozen true summer days we get!
Most of the US is continental and 10-20degrees of latitude further south than us.
Also, let's face it, most on here ( some exceptions I know) are middle aged or approaching it, and will most likely need more insulation sleeping and static than these superfit 20something hikers.
Over the last 6 weeks backpacking trips; from the Pyrenees to Dartmoor to NW Highlands, my pack contents have varied a fair amount due to what conditions I might expect. I find I often to take a little too much of stuff in general
On the Pyrenees trip especially, we were mulling on how to reduce the clothing/gear we take, and what was omitted. Apart from a baselayer set, trek shirt and sleep socks, I ended up walking in everything else on the last bad weather day - Inc fleece and Rab xenon. My liner gloves were inadequate too.
On the Scottish trip, due to conditions, I wouldn't have been able to dry anything other the thin nylon gear (e.g. trousers), so needed bed baselayers and spare undies too. It's just too uncomfortable and smelly to hang out in your 4 days old clothes when there's 12hours of darkness.
I did use a CCF mat for 4 days ( my klymit mat failed, but next day I was able to rob a CCF mat from the piles in a nearby bothy). It was ok. I'm going to try it again for 3 season use. Light, but bulky.
I really can't see the clothing levels listed as being appropriate long term for UK hills though. Except maybe on the half dozen true summer days we get!
Most of the US is continental and 10-20degrees of latitude further south than us.
Also, let's face it, most on here ( some exceptions I know) are middle aged or approaching it, and will most likely need more insulation sleeping and static than these superfit 20something hikers.
Over the last 6 weeks backpacking trips; from the Pyrenees to Dartmoor to NW Highlands, my pack contents have varied a fair amount due to what conditions I might expect. I find I often to take a little too much of stuff in general
On the Pyrenees trip especially, we were mulling on how to reduce the clothing/gear we take, and what was omitted. Apart from a baselayer set, trek shirt and sleep socks, I ended up walking in everything else on the last bad weather day - Inc fleece and Rab xenon. My liner gloves were inadequate too.
On the Scottish trip, due to conditions, I wouldn't have been able to dry anything other the thin nylon gear (e.g. trousers), so needed bed baselayers and spare undies too. It's just too uncomfortable and smelly to hang out in your 4 days old clothes when there's 12hours of darkness.
I did use a CCF mat for 4 days ( my klymit mat failed, but next day I was able to rob a CCF mat from the piles in a nearby bothy). It was ok. I'm going to try it again for 3 season use. Light, but bulky.