Top tip to reduce pack weight

[hammockrob]

Having spent the last few weeks sourcing everything I thought I needed to finally go and do my first bushcraft camp in some local woods ( with permission of course) last minute I have had to postpone for a week, also it was forcast heavy rain all night which although shouldnt matter I though maybe a bit much for the first time. Bear with me the top tip is coming, Desperate to at least set up a tarp and feel sheltered I decided to spend the night on the lawn at home. My teenage daughter was keen to do something new as we have been a camping family for all of her life and more. After setting up a 3.5 x 3.5 Tarp into a fully enclosed pyramid , although she cleverly redisigned to make a self sealing doorway, kids can be amazing , A second tarp put up as a wind break but in an open front two sided pyramid with a fire infront(not too close but enough for heat not smoke to gently warm the inside) We then proceeded to make coffee and hot chocolate using the kelly kettle and sausages bacon and fried eggs in rolls using her buddy burner only made last week. Every thing worked well and after falling asleep by 10 and waking at 5 to the dawn chorus, nodding off for another hour, got up dry warm and feeling great. FINALLY TOP TIP, I suddenly realised everything we had out on the lawn was basically all we needed in our packs, maybe add the first aid kit and bush craft tools, but indoors was a load of stuff bought for what ifs. My advice spend a night in the garden at home and you will realise just how much stuff you can lose from your pack, lightening the load and enjoy every trip just as much.
I hope this helps some of you who like me that thought the wheight of your pack might be the one thing that might kill off this sole cleansing hobby. Much love to you all and I look forward to your replies.

 

[saxonaxe]

Good for you. The night on the back lawn has always been a good idea. I still use it sometimes to check that my seam sealing efforts of a cheap tent have been successful. Reducing pack weight is always a goal, I think I'm at the stage now where apart from food and water I carry as much for 3 nights as I do for 1, and if there's water nearby, even less.
Depends on seasons of course, being a Wrinkly I wrap up like a Michelin Man with extra clothing after October.

 

[MrEd]

Something I have always done when back from a trip is sort my stuff into 3 piles
1. Stuff I actually used

2. I didn’t use it but if I needed and didn’t have could shorten or ruin the trip (FAK for instance)

3. Stuff I didn’t use and if I didn’t have wouldn’t matter

Then next time I go I don’t take the stuff in pile 3

 

[Pattree]

S E White would agree with you.

 

[Keith_Beef]

I had a look back through old copies of Viz in the Top Tips.

Campers and hikers, if you find that your rucksack is too heavy, try taking out any bricks that might have found their way in.
George Jewson, Earith.

 

[TLM]

It is not very clear cut that just leave off something:
- season
- weather
- terrain
- level of wanted comfort
- some redundancy
at least affect what one should, could and would carry.

 

[Jagged77]

That’s a good tip! I always overpack and my recent excursions have been missions with far too much stuff. I usually end up using it as excuse to buy newer lighter kit!

 

[Falstaff]

Yeah, but if it gets windy you'll need those bricks to hold the tarp down.......

 

[Falstaff]

I'm glad to hear your daughter was part of it and I hope she enjoyed it. With luck you might get a bit of father daughter trip time together - something special, even if you may be have to carry most of the load!