Companion forum thread to:

Lightweight Testimony: My Journey into Lightweight Backpacking

Jamie,

I always enjoy your posts. This article is no exception.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Todd

Very well written, thanks. I look forward to your next trip report and gear list.

What a great article...I truly enjoyed it.

Thanks Jamie!

Thanks, Jamie, for a great story! You are an inspiration to me, as I, too, am at a standstill in my life. Like you, I've been studying "Lightweight Backpacking and Camping" and making a new gear list of ultralight equipment, because I need to get away to break out of this staid existence. Your story was just the impetus I needed!

Great photos, too!

Great story. Amazing journey in so many ways.

Thanks!

Wow, inspiring story. For anyone who has not seen any of Jamie's post, check out this thread about his first SUL trip (w/ photos). IMO, it should be required reading for anyone wanting information and/or inspiration to lighten their pack.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=13855

Jamie,

Fantastic essay and the link to your report about your 1st sub 5 lbs trek are outstanding.

If there ever was a story that truly is trans formative, it is yours without a doubt.

Your story is refreshing and reaffirming at the same time in that it shows how love of nature and the outdoor adventure can save us from the doldrums of our everyday existence and make us a better person at the same time.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us and for "giving" back to others in sharing your lightweight journey to inspire others to go lite and get out there and pursue the adventure and dreams they have been putting off.

-Tony

Very nice! I did notice that your book "The 2 Ounce Backpacker" weighs 2.4 ounces :)

Thanks Jamie!

Maybe we can get together for a future trip some weekend.
Rodney

Great story, Jamie! Very inspirational.

Thoroughly enjoyed this article, thanks for the ideas and inspiration.

great article, thanks for sharing....

Thanks for the excellent article! You are a great inspiration for those of us everyday people who are ready to go for it. I was one of them after your trip report last year : )

Jamie, I've been putting together an SUL list like yours and wondering exactly how low in temperatures you'd go with your SUL list. What would a winter, snow, around -5ºF (-15ºC) list look like?

Jamie,
Thanks for a great article! My gear list shares many of your choices which makes me think I'm headed in the right direction! Lightweight is definitely liberating. My wife refers to my green Mont-bell UL Inner Jacket as my "disco jacket"! ;)

Well written, Jamie. Very inspiring material. Glad your life took such a favorable U-turn and allowed you to "make light" of your circumstances. Happy to have your input in the forums.

Edited by edbarkowski on 02/04/2009 20:16:35 MST.

Jamie, thanks for the gratifying story on your journey to Lightness and self-discovery, one similar to mine. Of especial note is that I, too, take along the 2 oz Backpaccker and get chided for packing a book. Oh well, it still remains that at bottom we're all kindred spirits in th UL community. Happy trails!

I truly appreciate these comments more then you can imagine, thanks everyone for taking the time to post.

Rodney, My trips are mostly solo but thats only because we are so few. I'd be glad to hit the trails with you sometime.

Miguel, I'll put some thought into a -5F list, but my friend that is one step beyond me for the time being. I'd like to see what you come up with.

Thanks all, Jamie