Packing Gentle: My 10kg-ish Pack for 4 days in Kanangra-Boyd Wilderness

Why goal for a light-weight backpack?

While you’re heading out for 4 days in one in every of NSW most distant and rugged Wilderness areas, each gram counts. In Kanangra-Boyd Nationwide Park—with its steep n’ deep gorges, breathless ascents and climate that may change in a heartbeat—doubly so. After years of tweaking and experimenting, I used to be stoked to pack for this journey and uncover the weigh-in at 10.5 kg + water. I’ve at all times had a 10kg pack as a little bit of a purpose, however by no means actually put a lot effort into it – till now.

The park suffered badly within the 2019-2020 bushfires, and the regrowth has fully obliterated lots of the previous routes and tracks. I knew I wanted to pack mild as a result of the elevation achieve and loss over 4 days was substantial—round 3,000 metres of ascent AND descent was forward of us. The thick regrowth meant severe scrub-bashing (full-body armour can be useful, however it doesn’t pack mild). It was October, with forecasts hitting 24-26°C+, which meant some sizzling, uncovered climbs on spurs that misplaced their shade within the fires. Gentle pack or endure—these had been my choices. What we discovered, was that the forecast temps felt a lot larger within the dry, uncovered spurs and ridges. My suggestion is to not try something huge on the market if it’s prone to be >26c.

Right here’s precisely what I carried on this journey, why each bit labored for me, and the way you would possibly put collectively one thing related in your subsequent journey. I’m not saying my means is the correct strategy for everybody—simply what I’ve discovered works for me.

Observe: Click on the merchandise headings for hyperlinks to extra information on every product. A few of these are affiliate hyperlinks which suggests I’ll earn a small (like 3% if I’m fortunate!) fee on any gross sales, however you pay no extra. It’s a technique of supporting the work I do ~ thanks!

Shelter and Sleep System

Whippa 60L Overland Pack – 1.175kg

This Blue Mountains-made pack from Summit Gear has grow to be my absolute favorite for longer journeys. The 60-litre capability swallows 4 days of meals and kit with out grievance and room for extra. The way in which it distributes weight throughout my hips and shoulders (even and not using a body) makes these lengthy days rather more bearable. What I actually respect is how robust it’s—Kanangra’s scrubby vegetation likes to seize at packs, and the Overland simply shrugs it off. Try my gear evaluate for extra particulars.

Macpac Ultralight Pack Liner – 50L

Within the Blue Mountains, the climate modifications quick. Actually quick. Though the Whippa pack is fairly good at preserving water out, the seams on the bottom (in case you put it down) can are likely to let a little bit of ooze in. A water-proof pack liner is crucial, and I a lot favor this strategy over fussing with rain covers or stuffing all the things into separate dry baggage. Easy, mild, and it really works.

Nemo Hornet Osmo 1P Ultralight Tent – 1kg

At round 1kg, this tent punches properly above its weight for consolation, roominess and climate safety. I tossed up whether or not to go for the Elite mannequin, shaving off 200g, however evaluations out of the UK (suppose Peak District climate) swayed me for the usual one. Keep tuned for my full evaluate on this coming quickly.

Historically used as home wrap in building, Tyvek is mainly bombproof and weighs virtually nothing. It’s a simple selection to guard the ground of a tent, as an alternative of the usual footprint.

Sea to Summit Ether Gentle XR Sleeping Mat – 445g

Look, I’m all for going light-weight, however consolation issues whenever you’re out for a number of days. This mat offers you correct cushioning (I’m speaking 10cm of ethereal, luxurious, goodness) with out the load penalty, and the insulation saved me on these cooler nights. Nicely well worth the grams for me, although others would possibly select lighter choices.

Sea to Summit Flame III Sleeping Bag – 850g

Rated to -4°C, this 850+ loft down bag is my go-to for about 80% of the 12 months. Not out there, I’ve linked to a more recent mannequin right here, which has up to date supplies however related efficiency (-2c). For me, down remains to be the winner whenever you’re watching weight.

Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow – 79g

Some folks skip the pillow. Positive, I might sleep on my rolled-up rain jacket, however meh, at beneath 80 grams I couldn’t be bothered. It’s a tiny luxurious that makes an actual distinction to my sleep high quality—and sleep issues whenever you’re tackling difficult terrain day after day.

Kitchen and Hydration

Cooking Equipment (Range, Pot, Cup, Spoon) – 470g

I exploit a metho range system from TrailDesigns—useless easy, dependable, and lightweight. I’ve tweaked my prepare dinner system to nest all the things inside a GSI FairShare mug, and I’ve acquired a titanium spoon and Sea to Summit collapsible cup to spherical issues out. Alcohol stoves are sensible for peace and quiet over pace (cough, JetBoil/Pocket Rocket) plus you don’t need to lug fuel canisters round.

Gas (Methylated Spirits) – 240g

About 240 grams of metho lined 4 days of cooking with a bit left over for security. That works out properly for morning porridge and rehydrating dinner, with room to spare. My range takes 30mls of metho per boil.

Opinel No 8 Bushwhacker – 47g

This basic French knife does all the things I want round camp. Gentle, sharp, dependable—what extra would you like? Oh, wait. The truth that this one was discovered buried deep within the sandy seashore at Gungaddy, lined in fish guts, which my good mate cleaned up and gifted to me.

Water Bladder 10L – 49g (empty)

An empty goon bag weighs mainly nothing when empty, however lets me carry additional litres once I have to. And in Kanangra, the place water could be scarce (or non-existent) alongside the ridgelines, that flexibility is gold. I ended up carrying 5L up on the hardest day. Even with an early begin, the nice and cozy day made me glad I did.

Hydration Pack – Hydrapak 2L – 142g

I’m a hose kinda gal. They’re not for everybody. My strolling buddy prefers bottles on the aspect of the pack. No matter works to be sure you keep hydrated.

Grayl Ultrapress Water Filter – 350g

Water therapy isn’t non-obligatory within the bush. The Grayl filters and purifies in a single press—micro organism, protozoa, viruses, all gone. Positive, it’s heavier than Micropur tablets, however I actually worth the peace of thoughts and prompt drink – no ready for therapy or a gradual drip. That stated, that is one space the place I might undoubtedly reduce weight if I wished to (extra on that under).

Meals for 4 Days (approx 2.5kg)

Getting the meals steadiness proper on a multi-day hike is essential—you want sufficient gasoline with out carrying extreme weight. I aimed for easy, light-weight choices that pack down properly and don’t require elaborate preparation after an extended day on my ft.

Breakfast (3 x mornings) ~210g whole

Three sachets of Uncle Tobys porridge at 36g every supplied straightforward, heat begins to the day. I added Frisp freeze-dried strawberries and mango (2 x 15g) for flavour and further vitality with out the load of recent fruit.

For espresso, I used three Laughing Pug espresso drip baggage—an excellent invention for correct espresso within the bush with out carrying my beloved Aeropress. I additionally packed three black tea baggage and three natural tea baggage for selection and night drinks.

Lunch (4 x days) ~800g whole

My lunches had been based mostly round wraps—4 tortillas that pack flat and don’t crush like bread. Every day I’d make up a wrap with one Child Belle cheese (sure, my fellow Australians, ‘Child Cheesus‘), three recent inexperienced beans for crunch, two cherry tomatoes, and a mini salami. My model of a ham, cheese, tomato wrap, however the beans add that satisfying crunch you miss within the bush.

Recent greens may appear odd for light-weight packing, however cherry tomatoes (in an previous plastic vitamin jar) and beans are surprisingly strong, and the psychological enhance of recent meals on day three is price a number of additional grams to me.

Dinner (3 x nights)

Night time one: Campers Pantry Indian Hen Pilaf – 100g. Easy, tasty, quick – add boiling water.

Night time two: I made a dehydrated Shepherd’s Pie based mostly on a Recipe Tin Eats recipe (thanks Nagi), switching out for dry sauce elements (20g) plus Campers Pantry pulled beef (56g) and Campers Pantry tacky chive mash (90g). I prepped sufficient for 2 serves as I used to be sharing meals duties with my strolling buddy—dividing meal prep is a great strategy to cut back pack weight and cooking gear between mates.

Night time three: I didn’t have to hold (or prepare dinner) it – my good friend did!

Snacks

I additionally carried varied snacks—muesli bars and scroggin —distributed all through my pack for simple entry throughout the day. I discover grazing all through the day works higher than lengthy lunch stops whenever you’re masking severe distance or elevation change.

Climate Safety

Macpac Traverse Rain Jacket – 270g

This 3-layer Pertex jacket dealt with Kanangra’s wind and climate brilliantly. It’s mild however robust, breathes properly whenever you’re working arduous uphill, and retains you dry when the rain hits. Which it did, on day three.

Macpac Nazomi Rain Pants – 170g

Full rain pants are important for me when pushing via moist scrub, ready out a storm or mountain climbing someplace with a fame for changeable circumstances. These pack down small and go on quick—one thing I used to be very grateful for when that climate rolled in.

The essential heat mid-layer that goes all over the place. Chuck it within the washer, chuck it within the dryer, it’s a kind of Polartec Alpha Direct jackets which can be nice for heat:weight ratio, breathability and moisture wicking.

Macpac Merino Thermals (High, Bottoms, Beanie) – 469g

Merino remains to be the perfect for layering in my expertise. This thermal set saved me heat in camp, plus the pure odour resistance means you don’t get too pongy after a number of days out… possibly simply odor a bit like a moist sheep.

Riggers Gloves – 72g

Folks typically neglect gloves, however they’re sensible whenever you’re scrambling via scrubby vegetation or coping with chilly, moist gear within the morning. These tradie gloves are low-cost, robust, and saved my arms greater than as soon as throughout the endless acacia regrowth, laywer vine and off-track bits.

What did I put on?

Nice query. The one change of garments I took was lingerie. I wore the identical mountain climbing pants, long-sleeve Mont shirt, solar hat, Merrell MOABs, socks and gaiters for the entire journey. Aye. Sure. The stench was actual and the rain on the finish washed all of it away… virtually.

Security and Communication

RescueMe PLB1 Private Locator Beacon – 116g

A PLB isn’t negotiable for me. This light-weight mannequin offers you one-touch emergency contact by way of satellite tv for pc when there’s zero cellular protection. I by no means stroll with out one. I’ve written varied articles of the years evaluating completely different programs, right here’s one.

ZOLEO Satellite tv for pc Communicator – 150g

Two-way satellite tv for pc messaging lets me examine in with household and seize climate updates within the subject. The peace of thoughts is price it to me—and my security contact appreciates the every day “I’m OK” check-in messages. That stated, this can be a consolation merchandise reasonably than important security gear if carrying a PLB. (I do know what you’re pondering, ‘she carries each?’… Yep!)

iPhone 14 – 239g

Past emergencies, my telephone is my digicam, GPS by way of Gaia app (with offline maps downloaded) and even my bush-nerdy flora/fauna interp. Paired with the ability financial institution under, it stays charged the entire journey and is hooked up to my belt loop by way of an extended piece of hi-viz twine. I’m not dropping this pet over a cliff/into river/over waterfall.

Nitecore NB20000 Gen3 Energy Financial institution – 291g

With 20,000mAh on faucet, this saved my telephone operating for 4 days. I’d forgotten to cost my headtorch earlier than leaving, so was in a position to high that up too, with cost nonetheless to spare. The capacity-to-weight ratio is fairly spectacular—undoubtedly one of many higher choices in case you’re powering a number of gadgets.

Petzl Actik Core Headtorch – 118g

Rechargeable means no spare batteries to hold (see above!). The 600-lumen output handles all the things from navigating to camp duties, and the crimson mild mode retains your night time imaginative and prescient intact.

First Help Equipment – 830g

That is one in every of my heavier objects, however a medical package isn’t one thing I compromise on. It covers frequent bushwalking accidents and extra severe conditions—important whenever you’re hours from assist. I’m going via mine usually to verify all the things’s present and applicable for the journey, and re-certify my Distant (or Wilderness) Space First Help course each three years – information weighs nothing!

Private Care and Hygiene

Bathroom Equipment (Paper, Hand Sanitiser, Folding Trowel) – 236g

All the pieces I want for Depart No Hint ideas: folding trowel (to dig 15cm down), hand sani, tampons, biodegradable (a budget stuff) rest room paper and ziplock bag. In some high-use areas, I’ll additionally carry my poo-pot.

Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Medicines, Salt – 80g

I’ve a useful folding toothbrush I pair with a kind of teeny paste tubes you get from the dentist. All saved in a re-used ziplock produce bag. Salt in a teeny Nalgene for leg cramps.

Chapstick, Sunscreen, Insect Repellent – 68g

My necessities – lip balm and sunscreen. I might do with out repellent if I needed to.

HRT Gel (Estrogel) – 90g

I see you women-off-a-certain-age. I carried the complete bottle this journey, however I’ve since found Sandrena single-dose sachets at simply 1 gram every. Recreation changer, because of Dr Tatiana for the tip! Chat together with your GP to see if it’s best for you.

The Full Image

The place I May Minimize Even Extra Weight

Look, though I’m fairly pleased with my pack weight, there’s at all times room for enchancment. Even with this setup sitting simply over 10kg, I can see areas the place I might shave off extra grams if I actually wished to push in the direction of ultralight territory. Whether or not that’s best for you depends upon your priorities and what you’re snug with.

The Grayl water filter at 350g is an apparent goal. Switching to Micropur tablets—they weigh virtually nothing and work brilliantly. I caught with the Grayl as a result of I wished the moment drinkability of fresh water on this journey—one pump and drink.

The ZOLEO satellite tv for pc communicator is one other 150g I might probably depart behind. In true emergencies, the PLB does the essential job. The ZOLEO is extra about comfort and preserving household knowledgeable—good to have, however not important in case you’re dedicated to reducing weight.

I might additionally go lighter on the sleeping mat and energy financial institution. There are mats beneath 300g that will nonetheless present first rate consolation, saving me 150g or so. A smaller capability energy financial institution would trim one other 100g, although I’d have to be extra strategic about charging gadgets.

The factor is, I’m at all times experimenting. I’m continually having a sticky beak at what my mates are carrying, studying gear evaluations, and making an attempt new concepts. Each journey teaches me one thing about what I really use versus what simply sits in my pack. My setup retains evolving, and that’s a part of the enjoyable—discovering that excellent steadiness between mild sufficient to benefit from the stroll and cozy sufficient to benefit from the camp.

Last Ideas

Attending to round a 10-kilogram pack weight for 4 days in difficult terrain means making deliberate selections. Each merchandise I carry earns its spot via a mix of low weight, reliability, and really being helpful. Kanangra-Boyd’s distant location and changeable circumstances demand gear you’ll be able to belief—however that doesn’t imply hauling pointless weight.

The key is high quality light-weight gear, reducing out redundancy, and being trustworthy about what you really want versus what simply makes you’re feeling higher. This setup saved me snug, protected, and transferring properly via one in every of Australia’s most spectacular wilderness areas.

Now, let’s be actual—high quality light-weight gear is pricey. Taking a look at this listing, the entire funding is substantial, I undoubtedly didn’t purchase all the things directly and I’ve been fortunate to be gifted lots of this stuff over time. My recommendation is prioritise the massive three objects (pack, tent, sleeping bag) first, then progressively improve different items as finances permits. If you happen to’re simply beginning out, think about renting gear from outside retailers or borrowing from mates to check what works earlier than committing to purchases. Many bushwalking golf equipment even have gear libraries and don’t neglect you’ll be able to rent PLBs free of charge from some nationwide parks or hire on-line from high bloke, Neil. Again within the day (2008 for him, 2012 for me), the 2 of us had been just about the one Aussies with a bushwalking/mountain climbing weblog – earlier than social media and influencers had been even a factor.

What’s your goal pack weight for multi-day bushwalks? Drop your light-weight gear selections within the feedback over on Fb—I’d love to listen to what’s working for you.