How to pack ultralight for a long-distance walk: 4.6kg base weight

How to pack ultralight for a long-distance walk

This August I will attempt to complete the National Three Peaks on foot, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – and walking every mile in-between them – in this self-supported, solo adventure. It’ll involve 777km of fast-hiking (almost 500 miles) and 14,509m of ascent (the equivalent of 15 ascents of Scafell Pike). My goal is to walk 17 marathons in 17 days to set a new record. I am aiming to be as light, fast and agile as possible on the trail - and therefore have packed as minimalist as possible. Here is my full kitlist:

Camping

• Backpack: Zpacks Nero 38L + hipbelt - 375g

• Drybags: Exped fold UL x 7 - 195g

• Tent: Gossamer Gear The One (trekking pole tent) - 505g

• Pegs: Sea to Summit tent pegs x 11 - 99g

• Sleeping mat: Thermarest NeoAir Uberlite (small) - 168g

• Sleeping bag: PHD M.Degree 300 K Down - 424g

Clothing

• Spare underwear: Saxx Merino Boxer Brief x 1 - 95g

• Spare socks: Darn Tough x 2 - 95g

• Thermal baselayer: inov-8 Technical Mid Layer (small) - 156g

• Thermal trousers: Helly Hansen LIFA pant - 130g

• Insulated jacket: Haglofs LIM Essens Down - 156g

• Waterproof jacket: inov-8 Ultrashell Pro - 107g

• Waterproof trousers: inov-8 Ultrapant - 78g

• Cap: inov-8 Race Elite 2.0 - 36g

Miscellaneous

• Toiletries bag + first aid - 679g (toothpaste, toothbrush, paracetamol, ibuprofen, immodium, plasters, blister plasters, toe caps, sun cream, earplugs, water filtration tablets, vaseline, tick tweezers, canesten, scissors, wet wipes, opsite, E45, talc, foot tape, sleeping mat repair kit, doxycycline)

• Plastic Spoon - 9g

• Toilet roll + hand sanitiser + trowel + ziplock bags - 97g

• Water bottles: 1L Vapur Anti-bottle x 2 - 86g

• Powerbanks x 2 (1 x 20,000mah, 1 x 10,000mah) - 556g

• Plug, charging cables, Jaybird Vista 2.0 earphones - 218g

• Headtorch: Petzl Bindi - 35g

• Tracker device - 75g

• Waterproof phone cover: Aquapac - 37g

• Phone - 190g

• Bank cards + house key - 15g

Total Base Weight

My total base weight is 4,616g.

Including food for 1.5 days (1,297g) and water (1L at 1,000g), my overall pack weight is 6,913g.

What will I be wearing?

The following items are not included in my base weight, as I will be wearing them at all times:

• Boots: inov-8 non-GTX prototype boots (coming soon) - 800g (pair)

• Socks: Injinji 2.0 Liner Crew Toe Socks / inov-8 Speed Sock - 69g

• Underwear: Saxx Merino Boxer Brief - 95g

• Shorts: inov-8 Race Elite 6” Short 2.0 - 115g

• T-shirt: inov-8 Base Elite Short Sleeve Base Layer - 79g

• Mid-layer: inov-8 Base Elite Long Sleeve Base Layer - 96g

• Smartwatch: Garmin Solar Instinct - 54g

• Trekking poles: Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon - 278g

• Buff: inov-8 buff/running wrag - 33g