Lightening the Load
by Craig Emery

In August 2002 Lynn and I went out on our annual week long hike. I had what I thought was a light pack at 45 pounds, but was surprised when I ran into a guy with a 25 pound pack, and another guy with a 28 pound pack. This was such a difference that I couldn't imagine how they did it, I didn't think it was possible. I finally decided to see if there might be something else I could learn about hiking gear, bought a couple books, parted with some cash, and in July 2003, completed the Stevens pass to Snoqualmie pass trail in three days with a starting pack weight of eighteen pounds even. This is a list of what I carried:
 

Pack 18 Kelty Cloud, Removed frame,
pockets, unused straps
Tent 43 Sierra Designs Ultralight Year, Modified
Ground Cloth 3 Tyvek Housewrap, cut to size
Sleeping Bag 18 Western Mountineering (Summer only)
Sleeping Pad 5 Cut to length, Shoulders to knees
Stove/Pot/Fuel 15 Ti pot, Snow Peak Ti stove
Cup & Spoon 3
Goretex Parka 14 Marmot
Rain Pants 6 Marmot
Gloves 3
Hat 1
OR Hat 4
Socks 1
Poly Pants 5 Patagonia Lightweight long underwear
Poly Shirt 6
Pile Jacket 14 Patagonia R2
Bandana 1
Towel 1
First Aid Kit 6
Food Bag 6 URSACK Bear bag
1L Water Btl. 4
.5L Water Btl. 3
Map 2
Knife *
Lighters *
Compass *
Altim. *
Flashlight *
Deet *
Sun Screen *
Iodine *
Sunglasses *
Tooth Brush *
Coils *
Prell *
TP *
Trash Bags *
* = 27
TOTAL 209 oz = 13#, 1oz
Does not include: T-shirt, shorts, shoes, sox, water, food
Does include: fuel for 3 nights + for one person