What’s your Base Weight

It’s one of the first questions hikers ask hikers. Right? Is weight important, or just relative. If you pack what you need, and the comforts you desire, does it really matter what it weighs? If you know/don’t know your pack weight, will it change your hike? It’s all about your mindset.

One of the greatest opportunities for us as hostel owners and trail educators is spending time with new “ish” hikers and doing a pack shakedown. We love learning their why’s, their thought processes, and their fears. We know that most hikers pack for their fears, and will do so until they have the confidence to drop the one item that they never used because of “what if”. Shakedown’s are our chance to calm nerves, give hiker’s confidence in their choices, and let them see that pack weight is not as important as your mindset. You will ultimately shave your base weight down as you hike and grow into your new found trail comfort!

The lighter the gear the higher the price right? Sometimes, but not always. I know we would all love to have the latest and lightest gear, but there are a lot of factors to gear selection. Budget, Climate, and Personal choices.

Budget

Budget seems to be the dark cloud that hangs over most hiker’s heads. If you are like me when I started hiking, you just don’t know what you don’t know. So, what do you do? Be patient, plan ahead, ask questions, do the research, read comments, read reviews, try stuff on, borrow from your friends and then find what fits your needs. There are so many great gear companies out there offering high quality items at affordable prices. Does the Brand matter? I am a firm believer in finding the piece that fits you, fits your needs and your budget. It’s out there.

One our greatest resources is You Tube. There are so many hikers out there that test and review gear that are eager to share. Watch away and take away a wealth of knowledge nuggets.

Climate

When are you planning your hike, keep the weather in the front of your mind. Differences in climate mean planning differently for your time on the trail. It means having the right gear, the right clothing and carrying the right amount of water to ensure your hike is enjoyable and safe. (10 Essentials are relative to the area and climate you are hiking in, we’ll leave that for another blog post). You won’t need a zero degree sleeping bag in a 90 degree climate. Will it be rainy, will it be cold? These questions factor into your weight. If you can get away with a light quilt, then don’t stuff the heavier sleeping bag in your pack. Rain gear or not to rain gear? That is a personal preference. Personally, rain gear makes me miserable, so I choose a $2 rain poncho (shout out to Dollar General) or light rain jacket and a hat. (To keep the rain off my face). I won’t melt, and I don’t really want to carry the extra weight (and wet weight when the rain stops and you have to put it away). The point, pay attention to the forecast and plan accordingly.

Personal Choice

Necessity over luxury, what’s it worth? When you carry luxury items, it adds weight. Probably one of the most popular places on any trail is the nearest post office a few days into the hike. Why? Because that’s when most hikers realize that they are carrying way too many lux items and it’s time to ship them home, or bounce them ahead. Are you a camp chair carrier, what about your kindle or camp shoes? These are all personal luxury items that affect your weight, and are items that you choose to carry not out of necessity, but out of comfort. Y’all, it’s ok. If it will make your hike more enjoyable, carry it.

Remember what I said earlier? Your pack weight is not as important as your mindset. Mindset is the key to any great adventure. If you are not enjoying it, ask yourself why? Is it the extra weight you are carrying in your pack? Is it that you sacrificed a comfort item for less weight? Pivot and make the necessary changes for your next adventure!

As always remember, It’s your hike, do what makes memories that will last forever!