[at-l] Base Weights - Survey?

[Ken Bennett]

> 3 lbs 5 oz.  Like I said, the Gossamer was something like
> 2 lbs 13 oz... I've "knowingly" added 8 oz. here to gain a little room.
> What do you suggest that's quick and light and comparably roomy?




Gossamer Gear's spinnaker fabric version of the Henry Shires Squall tarptent
weighs 25 ounces, sleeps two full-size adults comfortably, and uses one of
your trekking poles as the front support. It has a floor, bug netting, and
the design is more than adequate for any 3-season weather (in my
experience).

The original Squall tarp tent weighs around two pounds, with the same
advantages, and is maybe a little less expensive. Either of these tents
would be a *palace* for a solo hiker and gear. The GG version has one
serious advantage over the original (besides ligher weight): the fabric
doesn't sag when wet.  Both of them set up in two minutes. (www.tarptent.com
)

I've been using a Six Moons Designs Starlite pack for a couple of seasons.
It uses a combination of my Thermarest and two aluminum stays for support.
It is almost as comfortable as my big old heavy Gregory internal-frames
packs, but weighs less than 2 pounds. I find it much more comfortable than
any frameless rucksack that I have tried.

22 pounds isn't so bad for a base weight -- I can certainly remember my base
weight in the 40-pound range, and how happy I was when I could get it below
35. 22 pounds isn't ultralight, but if it makes you happy, don't worry about
it.

--Ken