Rhona's Ultralight Backpacking Page

I discovered the new ultralight ideas about hiking and backpacking in 2000, when I stumbled across Ray Jardine's book, Beyond Backpacking. Since then, I've learned more from other ultralight backpackers. I've found, though, that I've had to adapt their gear lists for my own needs. I'm much smaller than the average backpacker and I get cold easily. I've posted these notes to encourage other small hikers--especially women--to try ultralight backpacking.

The nub: I am thrilled with the ease that I feel on the trail now.
The longer story: I have found that to lighten my pack safely, I have had to learn more about outdoor survival methods.

Full disclosure:
I'm a 51 year-old woman. I'm 5'3" (160 cm) tall. I weigh 110 pounds (50 kilos). I jog and lift weights to stay fit, but I consider 10 miles (16 k) a long hike, even with only a day pack.

It would be a big mistake to buy the items on my gear list and go to the Montana wilderness for a week. Don't do it. Learn for yourself. Tell us what you figure out!

My gear list
Where to buy stuff
Sewing your own
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(c)Rhona Mahony, 2002: rmahony AT stanford DOT edu