13 pounds

I am headed to the Superior Hiking Trail this weekend. I'll be gone for 9 days or so.

In my attempt to be a minimalist, I got my base pack weight down to 13 pounds. Thats without food or water.

Water will add about 4 pounds (which will vary based on drinking and usage), and food about 1 and a half pounds per day, unless I want to go less and run out to retrieve more.

So my total weight is around 20-24 pounds for 5 days.

Interestingly, for some reason I can't help but pack my car with about 5 extra of this and that and god knows what else. I know I won't use half of what I'm taking, but when I like something I tend to like a back up. SO while I am at a minimum, my car sure isn't. Oh well, I got the space, so I fill it up, fill it up. One other thing that I am carrying that I'm sure many purist hikers would scoff at:

An Umbrella.

Yes, an Umbrella, a pocket size small fold up that weighs 8 ounces. I know it sounds silly, but think about it. If its raining and the rain HITS you, it wicks away heat; more rain, more wicking. And on..... I don't mind being wet, but I don't like being wet and cold. The umbrella puts that impact well over my head. Like a moving miniature shelter.

If its sunny and hot, the umbrella has it place too. I've never tried it, so it should prove interesting.


See you in about 9 days!