Optimizing the weight of personal equipment in mountain hiking — FAST AND LIGHT MOUNTAINEERING

Our team planned and completed a 4th category mountain hike in the North Caucasus, and we approached the preparation for it very meticulously.

Since it was necessary to reduce the weight of personal equipment to a minimum, we thought more about the most functional use of things, and not about comfort. For example, I personally refused heavy membrane storm clothing, replacing it with simply windproof, a heavy backpack with gadgets, and slept in a summer sleeping bag without taking off a warm polar on a cut-off rug. I ate and drank from the same mug, shoe covers and didn’t even think about taking them and found the lightest carbines in the market, but more about everything below…

Here I will describe, using my own example, all the things and elements of personal equipment that I took with me on a hike. Each item is accompanied by a short description and weight of the item. I divided all my things into several sections: The Big Three, Clothes/Footwear, Special Equipment, and Miscellaneous.

The Big Three (1,872 grams)

Backpack: Ranger Plain 100 (without top flap) Weight: 990 g. The backpack was chosen based on two criteria: first, it should weigh as little as possible. Second, it should have a large volume so that all things fit inside and nothing gets in the way. It was a pleasant discovery that the backpack is quite comfortable even without stiffeners in the back. I also removed the flap from the backpack, it weighed 190 grams, and there is practically no use for it. I especially liked the fabric back without a 3D mesh, which gets filled with dry snow and then melts. I tied a souvenir carabiner with a 3 mm rope to the cargo loop of the backpack to set the backpack on self-belay. +weight +volume +nothing extra +price
Sleeping bag: Deuter Dream Lite 500 Weight: 500 g. I also wanted to make the sleeping bag as light as possible, but I clearly didn’t have enough money for a down one, so I gave up my Deuter Sphere 850, which weighs about 1.5 kg, and took a light summer version. It certainly doesn’t look warmer than a windbreaker, but I expected to sleep in it naturally not naked, but at least in thermal underwear, and usually in fleece. For really cold cases, I thought about wearing a down jacket at night, but I didn’t have to. If the sleeping bag were warmer, I probably wouldn’t have taken a down jacket. +weight +compactness +not blown through -temperature mode (comfort +17:)
Mat: Izhevsky (cut) Weight: 382 gr. I wanted to take the lightest mat possible, since I had a cut version of an old Izhevsk carpet at home, so I took it, without really inventing anything. The mat is short and my legs only reached my knees, so I put an empty backpack under my feet, if it was VERY cold, I would sleep on the ropes. + price
Clothing/Shoes (5,287 grams)
Boots: La Sportiva Khumbu Weight: 1950 gr. The boots are simply excellent. The fit on the foot is simply excellent, the sole clings to any terrain and is perhaps only afraid of wet stones. I have been wearing them for 4 years now and there are no damages, the nubuck tolerates graters with stones and scree well. In general, it is convenient to walk on the front teeth of crampons due to good fixation of the ankle and are quite suitable for “hard trekking”. After buying, I was unpleasantly surprised that Gore-Tex does not help in wet snow and the boots get wet very quickly, but overall I am very happy with them. I don’t use other shoes on approaches or just in valleys; this one suits me perfectly. +good foot fixation +wear-resistant leather +grippy sole -water-resistant
Flip-flops: Just flip-flops Weight: 220 g Used as a second shoe, walked around the camp in them, just ran out to pee put them on. Usually I take sneakers as a second shoe, but this time I took flip-flops and was pleased, of course, if you ford a river, sneakers or sandals will not wash off your foot, unlike flip-flops, but they weigh considerably more. +weight +price -doesn’t stay on the foot well
Storm jacket: Marmot Ion Windshirt Weight: 146 g. I used to use a heavy membrane jacket with Gore-Tex XCR, it is certainly more comfortable, many well-placed pockets, a really good membrane, etc. But I couldn’t refuse the opportunity to save 500 grams of weight on just one jacket! Of course, this jacket will quickly get wet, but most importantly, it will protect you from the wind and dries quickly! You can live in a wet polar, especially if you move under a backpack. And for conditions below 0 degrees, this is just ideal, falling snow will simply slide off, and the breathability of the jacket is excellent! In general, I took it and did not regret it) +weight +breathability -waterproof
Storm pants: Millet Cross WDS Weight: 298 gr. Well-cut pants that do not restrict movement at all, partly windproof, partly made of stretchy material. They are equally comfortable with and without long johns. They also dry quickly, in general I have been wearing them for a long time, so we have love at first sight. +convenience -price
Polar pants: Commander Polar 100 Weight: 312 g. Pants made of thin fleece, planned as sleeping and for particularly cold cases. There were no particularly cold cases, but I slept great in them! Overall a classic insulating layer. +warmth +price
Polar jacket: Marmot Supernova Weight: 654 gr. Overall, this is a very warm jacket, but it is certainly a bit heavy. More similar in density to 300th than to 200th polar. I took this warm one because the sleeping bag is cold, I often put it on at night, and even if it’s wet it’s not so critical compared to a thin one. The cut is good, pockets and drawstrings are in the right place, in general a well-tailored thing. +warmth +thoughtfully tailored -weight
Thermal underwear set: Weight: 448 gr. Zenit Power Stretch blouse with zipper Zenit Power Stretch pants I have owned this thermal underwear set for quite a long time, about 3-4 years, and it suits me quite well. It is warm, relatively light and dries quite quickly. It seems to be made of the branded Powerstretch, which seems to be true. The cut is of course simple, but it is not noticeable. I really like the collar, especially when it is cool, I cut the cuffs off the blouse, they interfered with putting on gloves. +warmth +collar
Down jacket: Montane Anti-freeze Weight: 542 g. Lightweight and excellent down jacket. Now I don’t understand how I used to go without down jackets, it’s so nice to get out of the tent early in the morning and not freeze! Of course, it was possible not to take it based on the minimization of weight, but it was also planned for cold nights, because my sleeping bag is even lighter than a down jacket. The fabric is certainly thin, you can tear it, but this is a tribute to the light weight, I am very pleased with the dry bag that was included, you are not afraid that the down jacket will get wet! All zippers are easy to open and close with gloves, in general, just a wonderful thing. The only thing, I would like a hood, but this is not critical. +weight +dry bag +compactness +thoughtfulness -no hood
Headwear: Polar Baff Weight: 64 g. An excellent replacement for a hat and balaclava, light and warm, can be worn as it is convenient, overall I am satisfied. You can turn it around and put it on with the light side out if the sun is too hot, then it replaces a cap, although a helmet copes well with this. +convenience
Wool socks: Mom sewed them) Weight: 140 g. Excellent socks for sleeping and walking, I generally really like wool for hiking. They warm well if damp. +warmth +warm warm when damp
Walking socks: whatever came to hand Weight: 100 g. In addition to woolen ones, I also bought medium-thickness and thin socks, used them as walking socks. Socks are just socks, cheap and cheerful)
Panties: whatever came to hand Weight: 100 g. I took two pairs of panties, boxers or briefs. Of course, thongs will be lighter, but you can also rub your butt when walking)
T-shirt: regular cotton Weight: 130 g. Used in especially warm cases or as a towel
Warm gloves: Hannah ski gloves Weight: 168 g. I don’t remember the model, regular ski gloves that I never used. Thinsulate filler, they warm well, dry pretty quickly. Of course, it’s not convenient to work with iron in them, they are specifically for warming up. +warmth -tactility
Gloves: work gloves Weight: 15 g. Usually, as gloves for working with a rope, I use work gloves + athletic or cycling gloves worn on top. It is convenient to work with the rope and iron in work gloves, and the top ones protect from friction when descending, and it is also warmer. But I did not have time to buy the top ones, so I only wore work gloves, except that I put on 2 gloves at once on my right (descending) hand. weight +dries fast price are blown out -they get wet immediately
Personal special equipment (2,704 grams)
Safety system: Singing Rock Zenith Weight: 376 g. Considering the light weight of the backpacks, we refused to use the chest system, the practice turned out to be positive. I took the system that is there, you can of course find a lighter one. It is even more convenient to use a system with automatic buckles, especially in the cold and in gloves it is annoying to tuck the strap. In general, the system as a system, reliable, I have been carrying it with me for a long time, it is probably time to change, after all, it is already 8 years old. +wear resistance -buckles are not automatic
Safety belay: Beal webbing Weight: 100 g. I decided to use whiskers made of soft webbing, it is lighter than Daisy Chain, and even more so than from a 10-gauge rope. Quite convenient. I did not use the thinnest webbing, so as not to worry about the possibility of chafing. + weight
Descender: BD ATC Guide Weight: 102 g. Excellent descender/belay device, does not twist the rope, relatively light. Of course, sometimes you want to fix yourself in a hanging position, like on the Gri-Gri, or the figure eight with horns, but it is not critical, you can also play around with the prusik. But it works with two ropes and the ability to automatically fix the second one, which I really don’t use. +work with two ropes +Auto lock +doesn’t twist the ropes -fixation on weight is complicated
Carabiners: 5 pcs. Weight: 234 gr. Carabiners were taken on the basis of 4 personal and 1 for public needs when passing the route. For the organization of stations, tackles, etc. Climbing Technology Aerial SG Weight: 4×40 gr. Very pleased. Light carabiners. I simply couldn’t find any lighter ones. Of course, the opening is small, but in these conditions it is not critical. One of the advantages is that they clicked into the ice axe hole normally, which can be problematic. +weight +”compatible with ice ax” -disclosure Petzl Ok Screw-Lock Weight: 74 gr. I took one carabiner more universal, for use at the station. For work with pulleys and blocks, an oval shape is preferable, so this is the carabiner. +oval shape +opening
Prusik: Rope 4 mm Weight: 10g. Ropes used were 8 mm, 9.1 mm, and lightweight 10 mm. That’s why we were afraid that regular 6 mm prusiks might not grip the rope well, especially if it gets wet or freezes. I’m happy with the result. +weight +adhesion -strength
Jumar: Petzl ascender Weight: 196 g. I chose the lightest of the reliable jumars. Never slipped. In general, Petzl, with it I feel calm and confident. + weight + reliability
Pedal: 3 mm rope Weight: 11 g. The pedal for the jumar was also chosen to be as light as possible. A thinner rope probably wouldn’t withstand the load, but with this one it’s quite normal. The pedal is practically weightless. + weight
Helmet: Petzl Meteor 3 Weight: 235 gr. Very light helmet, and it fits my head perfectly. I like the ventilation, the helmet can be used instead of a cap. It doesn’t interfere at all, in general, in my opinion, this is the best choice for me today. Of course, there are also light helmets from BD, Mammut, Grivel, etc., but they don’t fit my head as comfortably. +weight +comfort +ventilation
Ice axe: Camp Alpine 57 cm Weight: 470 gr. Excellent ice axe “T class”, thanks to the curved handle and sufficient rigidity is perfect for steep ice and firn. I really liked the lanyard, extremely convenient! In general, I recommend it! +good for steep ice/firn +thoughtful lanyard -organization of railings on snow, better longer and more even
Crampons: Camp Ice Rider Fast Weight: 970 gr. Crampons have been pleasing for a long time, at one time I was choosing between them and Grivel G12. I liked the G12 more for its anti-stick, and these for their slightly lower price and the cover that came with the kit, which Grivel simply did not have. In general, I chose these. Crampons are good for steep ice and firn, it is quite comfortable to walk on the front teeth, and in general the teeth are located in my opinion just great. To carry the cats I used a light fabric bag, not the original case.
Other (558 grams)
Mug: MSR Titan Cup 400 ml Weight: 60g. Of course, this mug is not the lightest, plastic ones are lighter. But this is a full-fledged dish, you can cook in critical situations, it is not so easy to break, etc. A little small in volume, but not critical. Convenient handles-curtains that do not interfere with packing. I used it as a bowl too. +weight +comfortable handles -price
Spoon: Optimus Titan folding Weight: 18g. Titanium spoon is heavier than wooden and plastic ones, but unlike them it does not break. 🙂 Compact, does not stick out of the mug when folded. +weight +Compact – price
Knife: Opinel 9 Weight: 73g. Excellent folding knife! Simple and reliable design, light weight, and not bad steel, which is always easy to sharpen. Convenient to solve all everyday hiking problems.) +weight +design +price
Glasses + case: Julbo Nomad 4 cat. Weight: 107g. Excellent glasses, practically the only ones that fit the face. Didn’t fog up much, protected well from side lighting, in general, the main thing is that “the suit fits”. +protection from light +ventilation
Flashlight + batteries: Petzl Tikka xp2 Weight: 100 g. The flashlight is good, shines far enough, I haven’t tried it at strong minuses, I don’t know how quickly the batteries will run out, but overall I’m happy. I used the diffuser regularly, I didn’t have to use red light, but its presence alone makes me happy. +long-range +diffuser +red light
Documents: Passport + money Weight: ~ 50 gr. Well, where would we be without them) packed in a light plastic bag.
Bags for things: Weight: ~150g. Bag made of thick cellophane Replaced the cape from the backpack, everything was put in it, and it was tied Dry bag Fjord Nansen 30L Put all the things and the sleeping bag, did not have to compress, the backpack allowed you to put it like that, at night as a pillow, and in case of a leak, everything is protected from water Cloth bags – 2 pcs. In one there were underwear and socks, for quick identification, in the other there were crampons and drills

It is also worth considering what I was wearing, and not lying in my backpack as dead weight from 3667 to 6457 grams of things. When passing the technical section, about 2 kg of public equipment was in use, you can also take the average weight of food in the backpack as half of the maximum.

• +weight of public equipment: 4500 g.
• +Weight of food: up to 4500 g.

Total weight of personal equipment and backpack:

*-The average value, taking into account half the weight of the food, is given in brackets.

Conclusion: a meticulous approach to choosing equipment for the hike yielded results, this also applies to optimizing the weight of the general equipment and our food ration. In fact, when working at the station, there was no desire to take the backpack off my shoulders, it practically did not interfere!! Overall, the mobility of the group increased, which also had a positive effect on safety, the group passed technically difficult and dangerous sections faster!! Usually, on a difficult mountain hike, it is difficult to put on a backpack, some even “climb” into it, and only then get up, while we put it on with ONE hand! Actually, I am damn happy with the results, it is possible to bring the weight of the backpack to 9-13 kg on such a hike, and it is possible to reduce the weight by a couple more kilograms, but I will write about ideas on this matter a little later!!!