I spend most of my time in the Central Adirondacks and use this setup for trips ranging from a couple of days up to two weeks. My hiking season begins in late spring and finishes up early fall. Temperatures can range from 30 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit depending on where I end up in the park. An ultralight pack on my back makes it easy to do the things that so few people do.

Jim Marco
Category Gear Selection Weight (oz) Details
Packing Gossamer Gear Murmur Hyperlight Backpack 13.6 For trips up to 14 days in length. w/sitlight pad
Sea-to-Summit eVent Compression/Dry Sack 4.5 for sleeping bag/sleep wear/dry clothing
Outdoor Research "Ditty" Bag 1.6 Doubles as rock sack
Sea-to-Summit Dry bag 13/L 2.6 for food and hanging (use two for two weeks)
Sleeping MountainLite 40F bag 27
Therm-a-rest NeoAir Medium 13 inflatable pad
Shelter Tarp w/stakes 17 custom
Packed Clothing Ascent Down Jacket 11.8 camp/sleeping
Wool Socks (WigWam) 2.8 camp/sleeping
Spare Hiking Socks (Darntuf) 2.3 hiking/mittens
EMS 100wt Fleece 8.4 1/4 zip pullover
Patagonia Capilene 1 LS Shirt 6.6 Hiking/camp/sleeping
Icebreakers long johns bottoms 6 camp/sleeping
Hydration Platypus 2L bottle 1.3 camp/dirty water
Gatoraid bottles - 2 2.7 Water bottles/hiking
Steripen Journey/Opti 3.7 for drinking water w/1 set of batteries
Cooking SVEA 123r 19.4 w/cup
K-Mart Grease Pot 1qt 5.1 w/lid, modified heat exchanger
Long Handled Ti Spoon 0.6
Small Essentials Line, superglue, AquaMira, TP, trail journal w/pencil, toothbrush, soap, scrubbie, hair brush, wind screen, meds, Impulse light, spare batteries, sewing needle, thread, bandana, duct tape, e+Light 7.8 General items carried for long duration trips, safety and repairs
Total base weight (oz) (not including worn items or consumables) 157.8
Total base weight (lb) (not including worn items or consumables) 9.8625

This lightweight backpacking gear list was contributed by former Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador Jim Marco.

January 13, 2015 — Brian Fryer