Pop,
Spend some time surfing this site if you want to get your mind around a 6lb base weight. And (to channel my inner Anna O'Leary here) take a look at the videos and info on this site: http://ultralightbackpackintips.blogspot.com/ It ain't hard to find a boat load of amazing information to make your backpacking experience safe, fun, comfortable...and lightweight.
The year before I found BPL I tripped with 40-50lbs on my back. My total pack weight now is under 23lbs. I personally don't care to meet the strict definition of what constitutes Ultralight, but I do think what one can learn from the impassioned here can (and does) fundamentally transform backpacking and hiking as an outdoor activity. People who enjoy "standard" or "traditional" backpacking today need to hear about it, so get reading and spread the word! :)
N

this thread is a pretty good visual.

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

I think the real beauty of light gear on short trips is the options it gives you. If you want your 3-day trip to be lots of miles, you stay light. If you want your 3-day trip to be lots of relaxing, having a low baseweight means you can bring a bunch of luxuries if you want and still not be lugging a big load when you are on the trail. If a low baseweight means delicious fresh food for three days instead of dehydrated mush, thne ther is certainly a value in that.

My lightest base weights are on my short trips, largely because I can get a more clear idea of expected weather and temperatures, which in turn lets me fine tune gear choices to the least heavy option. I enjoy the hike all the more when I carry less.

Here are a few to look at Pop J(now Kevin J)

Joe Valesko

http://www.zpacks.com/about/pct_gear.shtml

http://www.zpacks.com/about/cdt_gear.shtml

http://www.adventurealan.com/2-4_index.htm

http://www.adventurealan.com/4-7_index.htm

http://www.adventurealan.com/oly2008/

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00138.html

http://lytw8.com/Gear_Lists.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=45663

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=47753

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Vf7AbzrPbQZDkwZDk2ZjgtODg2Ny00NzA4LWI0MTgtY2M2YjE4Yzk2OTg4/edit?pli=1

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=54819

http://hikelighter.com/2011/12/29/sulxul-enclosed-shelter-comparisons/

http://www.suluk46.com/adventure%20-%20Zion%20National%20Park.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95BDQyw2kpg

Warner Springs Monty
http://www.pcta.org/planning/before_trip/resources/mentors.asp
http://www.trailjournals.com/photos.cfm?id=296588&back=1
http://gossamergear.com/wp/tribal/trail-ambassadors/warner-spring-monty
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/6548967/Gear-List-2305-%28Warner-Springs%29-Monty-Tam-metam01earthlink
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/lw_testimony_fun_goes_up.html
Krudmeister did the PCT in 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR6KLYZ4-9U
http://krudmeister.blogspot.com/

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=8899&skip_to_post=64009

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/profile.html?u=brian79

http://www.amcmaine.org/ultralight-maine-hiker-yo-yos-the-at/

http://www.fjaderlatt.se/2011/01/brian-doble-triple-crowner.html

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=94570

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=39663

http://matthewkirk.blogspot.com/2011/01/fastpack-gear.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=8899&skip_to_post=64009

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Appalachian-Trail/AT-Gear-List

http://francistapon.com/Travels/Continental-Divide-Trail/CDT-Gear-List

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/superultralight_backpacking_hiking_canyoneering.html


http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/peace_pilgrim_minimalist_trekker_for_world_peace.html

http://www.peacepilgrim.org/htmfiles/mdppbio.htm

need to be a member to read these

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/super_ultralight_cascades_sub_4_backpacking.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/superultralight_grand_gulch_utah.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00138.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/superultralight_hiking_backpacking_flagstaff_peaks_arizona.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/superultralight_favorites_gear_list_2006.html

Edited by annapurna on 05/25/2012 08:57:51 MDT.