{"id":22986,"date":"2023-06-13T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-13T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/\/?p=22986"},"modified":"2025-10-08T06:24:30","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T11:24:30","slug":"what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/","title":{"rendered":"What Problem Does Ultralight Recreation Solve?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>The outdoors can be majestic. They can also be frustrating, painful, and exhausting. We recreate because we want a connection with nature and to check in with our physical and mental states of mind. So, nothing is more disappointing than spending time planning for an outdoor adventure only to have to turn around because, well, you packed too much. Enter ultralight.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While ultralight disciples LOVE talking about it, often their rosy anecdotes and stories don\u2019t always hit the methodology behind what ultralight recreating is. Well, today, we\u2019re going to unbox this concept and hit you with the what, why, and how. Armed with this guide, you&#8217;ll be ready to tackle complex outdoor adventures without torturing the muscles in your legs, back, and shoulders.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_49 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#What_is_it\" title=\"What is it?\">What is it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Why\" title=\"Why?\">Why?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#How\" title=\"How?\">How?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Start_with_the_10_Essentials\" title=\"Start with the 10 Essentials\">Start with the 10 Essentials<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Consider_your_Activity_of_Choice\" title=\"Consider your Activity of Choice\">Consider your Activity of Choice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Get_Into_Planning\" title=\"Get Into Planning\">Get Into Planning<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Weigh_your_Gear\" title=\"Weigh your Gear\">Weigh your Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Cut_Down_on_Overnight_Gear\" title=\"Cut Down on Overnight Gear\">Cut Down on Overnight Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Multi-Purpose_Gear\" title=\"Multi-Purpose Gear\">Multi-Purpose Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Curate_your_First_Aid_Kit\" title=\"Curate your First Aid Kit\">Curate your First Aid Kit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Repackage_Existing_Gear\" title=\"Repackage Existing Gear\">Repackage Existing Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Look_at_Your_Shoes\" title=\"Look at Your Shoes\">Look at Your Shoes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Get_the_Right_Gear\" title=\"Get the Right Gear\">Get the Right Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Strategies_while_Adventuring\" title=\"Strategies while Adventuring\">Strategies while Adventuring<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/#Final_Thoughts\" title=\"Final Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1 id=\"what-is-it\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_it\"><\/span>What is it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Ultralight is not some cryptic word that has layers of depth to it; it\u2019s pretty straightforward. The problem ultralight recreation tries to solve is weight. Whether you\u2019re stuffing it in a pack or hauling it around your waist, extra weight just makes things harder. Adopting an ultralight regimen means you put conscious thought toward what you bring with you on your next outdoor adventure and focus on cutting out excess.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A well-kitted ultralight setup is functional, low weight, and still provides your body with everything it needs to recreate outdoors. More than cutting out needless items, ultralight recreation forces your brain to triage what your body needs when you\u2019re on an adventure outside.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hiker-backpacker-backpacking-travelling.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22988\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hiker-backpacker-backpacking-travelling.webp 910w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hiker-backpacker-backpacking-travelling-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hiker-backpacker-backpacking-travelling-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hiker-backpacker-backpacking-travelling-380x253.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/hiker-backpacker-backpacking-travelling-800x534.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 id=\"why\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why\"><\/span>Why?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Overpacking is something that most human beings are guilty of doing. Shoot, I do it all the time. Think about trying to cram items into a suitcase for a vacation or into your car for a road trip. Our brains jump to the worst-case scenario, and suddenly you have 40 pairs of underwear, a loom from the 1850s, and a set of encyclopedias that you\u2019ve never read all for a 2-week trip.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Ultralight tells us to stop focusing on worst-case scenarios and embrace efficiency.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In the interest of efficiency, let\u2019s list out some of the benefits of a successful ultralight setup:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Less pain while recreating<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Less weight inside a pack<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Better distribution of weight inside a pack<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Hiking or walking speed will increase with less weight<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Your shoulders won\u2019t hurt as much<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Much easier to pack and unpack<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Of course, there are some downsides to ultralight. Here are the big ones:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Lightweight gear is less durable<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Ultralight-specific gear is very expensive<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Lightweight clothing and gear are usually thinner, which means it\u2019s not as warm<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 id=\"how\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How\"><\/span>How?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>How you approach an ultralight setup depends on a few factors, but once you have a system down, the whole process becomes easy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"start-with-the-10-essentials\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Start_with_the_10_Essentials\"><\/span>Start with the 10 Essentials<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Chances are, you\u2019ve heard some variations of the 10 Essentials. Distilled, they are 10 items that should be included in any outdoor setup. You don\u2019t need all ten to successfully complete a hike. But in any emergency situation (lost, injured, etc.), you\u2019ll be thankful you brought them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>According to the National Parks Service, here they are:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Navigation (Maps, compass, GPS watch or smartphone with a backup charger and offline maps)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Sun Protection (sunscreen, sunglasses, and a head covering)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Insulation (any piece of clothing that helps you retain body heat)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Illumination (Flashlight or headlamp)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>First Aid Kit<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Fire (waterproof matches, lighter, or fire starters for emergencies)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Repair Tools (a multi-tool, fabric patches\/duct tape, and scissors)<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Nutrition<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Water<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Emergency blanket or shelter (for emergencies)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Now, if you\u2019re walking in a park surrounded by suburbia, you may not need an emergency shelter. But the idea is that with these essential items, you are able to spend a night or two in the woods or mountains and emerge on the other side with your health intact.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"consider-your-activity-of-choice\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consider_your_Activity_of_Choice\"><\/span>Consider your Activity of Choice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In order to perfect an ultralight setup, you need to consider your activity of choice and the non-negotiable items that go with it. For example, specific activities like backpacking or bow<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>hunting require overnight gear or a bow. If you\u2019re rock climbing, it might be nice to bring a crash pad. Before you even step onto the trail, divvy up your critical gear and see what you come up with.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A day hike and a multi-day adventure are two very different activities and require different sets of gear. The same goes for various disciplines of hunting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and water-based activities. Single-day adventures don\u2019t need potentially heavy gear like sleeping bags, tents, and food canisters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When you\u2019re considering the activity of choice, look at area rules and regulations as well. Some places require things like bear canisters for overnight trips. A bear canister is a great way to store food and is much safer than a bear hang, but it will add weight. Make sure you\u2019re familiar with area rules before you start packing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"get-into-planning\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_Into_Planning\"><\/span>Get Into Planning<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once you\u2019ve got your activity down, stack some planning advantages. If you have some PTO built-in or schedule flexibility, match your adventure day to the best weather day. Why? A good weather day cuts down on the need for snow or rain gear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Bust out the maps and see if your route crosses water sources, either creeks, snow patches, or lakes. If it does, dump full water bottles in favor of a lightweight water purification system. It also helps to look at anticipated elevation gain\/loss and how much of the trek will be on or off the trail. More variation and more off-trail navigation will take more energy. This will tell you to focus more on food and caloric intake.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"910\" height=\"607\" src=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/people-girl-hiking-climbing.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/people-girl-hiking-climbing.webp 910w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/people-girl-hiking-climbing-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/people-girl-hiking-climbing-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/people-girl-hiking-climbing-380x253.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/people-girl-hiking-climbing-800x534.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"weigh-your-gear\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Weigh_your_Gear\"><\/span>Weigh your Gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once you have a good set of items, weigh them. Ultralight \u201ctheory\u201d treats each ounce as important. There\u2019s a lot of ambiguity as to what the gold standard is for ultralight, but if your gear is hovering somewhere around 10 pounds for a long day hike, you\u2019re doing great. Go back to your activity of choice and make sure to add related gear like a bow, fishing rod, etc.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Overnight adventures are a little trickier, and sometimes it\u2019s just impossible to shave the weight down to an ideal number. That\u2019s ok, the point is to reduce where able, and that may take some practice. Any time you go out with less than you did for a previous adventure is progress! If you need a number to focus on, shoot for around 20-25 pounds fully loaded for overnight trips.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"cut-down-on-overnight-gear\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cut_Down_on_Overnight_Gear\"><\/span>Cut Down on Overnight Gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While not an issue for day hikes, overnight hikes require more gear. You can shave precious ounces off the total by employing creative strategies. If you\u2019ve planned properly and won\u2019t be walking straight into a blizzard, consider bringing a tarp that you can fasten around a tree branch or a trekking pole to reduce shelter weight. If nighttime temperatures are moderate, you can use a hammock as well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Get a good, lightweight sleeping bag and reduce the number of insulation layers you bring. Use a headlamp for shelter illumination instead of a lantern. Reduce personal items to a small book, a pad of paper, a pencil, and your phone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Focus on lightweight, dehydrated, and calorie-rich meals. When cooking, get an all-in-one setup like an MSR Whisperlite or PocketRocket. If you want to keep knocking ounces off, consider getting a miniature alcohol stove.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"multi-purpose-gear\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Multi-Purpose_Gear\"><\/span>Multi-Purpose Gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Reuse items to save weight. Don\u2019t double up on things you don\u2019t need. If you\u2019re out for a few days, for example, only bring 2 pairs of socks and dry the wet ones on the outside of your pack so you can reuse them. Some biodegradable soaps can clean dishes and your body. A waterproof rain shell can double as an effective windbreaker, too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For food, reduce dishes by using one multi-purpose vessel for meals and hot beverages. Instead of three utensils, bring a spork. If you need to cut something, use a multi-tool or a pocket knife. Look at each individual item you bring and write down all of the uses for it that you can think of.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Big-Bend-Day-Hike.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Big-Bend-Day-Hike.webp 960w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Big-Bend-Day-Hike-300x138.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Big-Bend-Day-Hike-768x353.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Big-Bend-Day-Hike-380x175.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Big-Bend-Day-Hike-800x368.webp 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"curate-your-first-aid-kit\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Curate_your_First_Aid_Kit\"><\/span>Curate your First Aid Kit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>First Aid Kits are great, but you may not need every one of the 100+ items that come in one. Sift through the contents, and separate out things you don\u2019t need. Then, put it all back together in a way that makes sense to you. Only take items that are relevant to your adventure needs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For example, I recreate mostly near and above treeline in Colorado, so I don\u2019t need to bring poison ivy remedies or a tick tweezer. Match the items with your environment. This not only reduces overall weight but helps guarantee that you have the tools to address your specific needs on the trail.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"repackage-existing-gear\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Repackage_Existing_Gear\"><\/span>Repackage Existing Gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This one\u2019s great. If you have small containers at home, use them for hand sanitizer, moisturizer, toothpaste, and sunscreen. You don\u2019t need a massive Coppertone tube. Additionally, instead of a whole roll of TP, stuff half a roll into a small reusable bag.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Another cool way to cut a little weight is to look at your wallet, purse, and keys. You just need your car keys and a key to get back home, unhook them from any existing key ring and leave the other keys. With your wallet or purse, bring an ID, one credit\/debit card, and a bit of cash for emergencies. That\u2019s it. Leave the Costco cards, loose change, motivational quotes, and physical wallets at home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"look-at-your-shoes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_at_Your_Shoes\"><\/span>Look at Your Shoes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For some of us, foot issues impact what we can and can\u2019t wear. If you need ankle support, arch support, and a lot of tread, don\u2019t cut those things out. However, trail runners and low-rise hiking shoes weigh a lot less than hiking boots. If you need camp shoes, get a pair of multi-use thick-soled sandals or even Crocs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"get-the-right-gear\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_the_Right_Gear\"><\/span>Get the Right Gear<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you don\u2019t have the money to get all the ultralight gear out there, that\u2019s fine; there are plenty of ways to compensate. But if money isn\u2019t a barrier and you can slap together a truly lightweight setup, go for it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>For my cash-strapped friends, make sure to check outfitter sales and discounts. If you live near large mountain communities, look for gear swaps and start following online communities for strategies that pertain to your situation. The Ultralight community is VERY passionate about ultralight gear, and they usually hand out great advice when asked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-22993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-1080x721.webp 1080w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-380x254.webp 380w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-800x534.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280-1160x774.webp 1160w, https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/mountain-2158661_1280.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 id=\"strategies-while-adventuring\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strategies_while_Adventuring\"><\/span>Strategies while Adventuring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Keep these things in mind when you\u2019re out there to make the most out of your ultralight setup.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Snack incrementally and consistently to reduce weight and keep your caloric intake high.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Fill up one liter of water at a time if you know there are many water sources along your route.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Stick to your plan. Ultralight setups don\u2019t have a lot of space to accommodate bonus objectives.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>While adventuring, think about what\u2019s working well and what\u2019s not. When you get back home, mess around with your setup.<\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<li>Don\u2019t overdo it! Cutting weight down is fun, but if you strip away some of your essentials, you could end up in an emergency without proper gear.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h1 id=\"final-thoughts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts\"><\/span>Final Thoughts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Mastering an ultralight recreation setup is advantageous in numerous ways. You\u2019ll be able to adventure longer and more efficiently, and your body will thank you for it. And while ultralight gear works well for any age range, once you get into your 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th decades of life, it\u2019ll feel really good dropping pounds of unnecessary gear. Try out some of the strategies above to get started on your ultralight adventures.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The outdoors can be majestic. They can also be frustrating, painful, and exhausting. We recreate because we want&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3731,"featured_media":22992,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[481,205,153,1],"tags":[596,604,574,654],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Problem Does Ultralight Recreation Solve? - Everest News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.everest.com\/everestdigest\/what-problem-does-ultralight-recreation-solve\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Problem Does Ultralight Recreation Solve? - Everest News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The outdoors can be majestic. They can also be frustrating, painful, and exhausting. 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