1 - Shouldering up ridiculously and unnecessarily heavy packs.

    2 - The added burden at frustrating times on walks ie. being lost, more often than not in dark, leading to jumping up and down on said heavy packs. Ascents and more importantly steep descents.

    3 - Most importantly reading an article in The Great Outdoors magazine (UK) in the late 70's by Showell Styles entitled 'Seventy Plus, Twenty Minus' (the former referring to age of participant. The latter to weight carried - in lbs) - thinking 'well if he can do it...'

    4 - Fascination of, and discipline of achieving this objective (even though still well short in the age department!)

    Showell Styles becoming champion for me long before Ray Jardine was on the scene.

Elaboration

1 So okay, true 'backwoods' backpacking and wilderness penetration calls for big pack loads where a week or two's supply or more may have to be carried. But here in the UK where we have no true wilderness we really don't need to believe shop assistants who tell us we are going to need a 70litre rucksack to 'help' us complete a long distance path.

2 It's all well and good some climber throwing ropes into a sac that you wanted to try on for size in that fancy shop down the shopping centre, but find yourself on the moors in the mist at the end of a tiring day with that same burden and you've got frustration looming to say the least.

3 The article was an eye opener for me. Here were advertisements for enormous packs and articles on how to pack them etc.. then lo, a 70 yr old demonstrating how to walk for a week through Wales carrying under 20lbs! Even with a canvas tent and an electric shaver! Whoa. This was good stuff.

4 What Showell Styles had on his side was EXPERIENCE. You have to know what you can take and what you can leave at home. Experience = SAFETY. So, going ultra light safely requires some experience. Through experience we learn to minimise RISK.

Why go light?

The maxim 'travel light - travel far' is not just jargon. With less of a load you will be able to cover a greater distance or cover the same distance with less effort.

You will be putting less strain on joints - particularly knees on descents.

Less to carry - more to enjoy!

Tips for reducing your load:

Become more aware of what you are carrying and why.

Lay out all your gear and examine each piece of kit.

Is each piece of kit 'paying it's way'? - not taking something reduces it's weight by 100%.

Get yourself some scales - modern digital scales are surprisingly accurate - (kitchen for up to 2kg and bathroom for packed up weight)

Set yourself a target - 20lbs (or 10k) max. is a good place to start.

Remember: It takes time to build confidence in lighter gear.

The great outdoors: It's GREAT, it's OUTDOORS...

...and it's YOURS!