"I’d rather eat something sweet on my outdoor adventures than insects"
30.9.2024
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: lütolf
Life’s full of contradictions. My rucksack too. Why that’s no coincidence, rather the result of almost obsessive planning, is explained in part two of «You call that a hobby?!
It’s always been a basic need of mine to be outdoors. Training as an outdoor guide ignited my passion even further. Spending several days in the forest, by the river or in the snowy mountains, carrying everything I needed on my back, was pure inspiration.
In the evening, around the fire, the conversation inevitably turned to equipment and why it should be light. One of the participants, an experienced long-distance hiker, only carried a small daypack. I listened to his every word. After all, every gramme counts when going uphill, and the more I save, the more carefree, happier and to a certain extent (!) safer I am on the go.
Less is more when it comes to clothing
Trekking is all about concentrating on the essentials. What do I need this for? Which ones are just unnecessary knick-knacks? What did I bring last time that turned out superfluous? One trick is not to choose a backpack that’s too big. Where there’s room, you’ll fill it. And you can also save weight with your backpack. The Southwest 40 from Hyperlight Mountain Gear, for example, weighs just 853 grammes.
Obviously, there’s a lot to consider if you want lighter luggage and it always depends on the circumstances. Trail running shoes save weight, but are almost certainly the wrong footwear for a high-altitude trip. I love them for moderate hikes.
Shorts instead of hiking trousers? Clever. As long as the trekking route leads through predictably mild temperature zones. You can save a few grammes, for example with the Mammut-Aenergie-Light shorts which weigh 134 grammes.
I pack a trail running jacket against rain and wind, which at 125 grammes keeps me largely dry. And a Black Diamond down jacket at just 138 grammes for when it’s cold.
The minimalist bedroom
In an attempt to save weight, I said goodbye to the tent next. Because under a tarpaulin, I’m not only protected from the elements, but I can also experience the outdoor feeling even more directly – including the wind and the creepy-crawlies that sometimes visit me at night. In return, I get exclusive views of the starry sky and sunrises. I’ve also slept under the tarp in the snow, and it works wonderfully as long as the sleeping bag and roll mat keep you warm (more on this later).
Is it a sin to have a pillow? Purists would insist so. After all, you can rest your head on a jacket. I ignore this unwritten rule and take a very light, inflatable cushion with me. That’s another 77 grammes on my shoulders.
The towel is an easy win in terms of weight. At 75 grammes, it’s so light there’s no reason for me not to take it with me. There’s always something that needs drying or wiping off.
The chopped toothbrush
Yes, it’s a cliché. I admit I can’t quite resist the appeal of a toothbrush with a shortened handle. After all, this is like the ultimate proof you’re a light hiker. But I cheat a bit here because I’m not doing any chopping or sawing myself. I pack a bamboo toothbrush head instead. One which is normally intended for an electric toothbrush.
One of the most important items I pack is a water filter. Of course, that’s only when I’m sure there’s actually drinkable water on the way. On other occasions I use a lightweight aluminium and titanium cooking set.
Source: Stephan Lütolf
Joy over pure survival
No, I don’t eat insects. And I don’t catch fish with my bare hands and eat them raw. I don’t have the skill or a strong enough stomach for that. But these are the questions I’m always asked when I talk about my outdoor experiences. «You do those survival things,» they say. «Noo», not quite. And I don’t fall into the camp of the ultralight hikers either. By definition, my backpack and necessities inside would have to weigh less than five kilos. That’s certainly not the case for multi-day tours.
For me it’s about the experience, not survival. It can be a bit uncomfortable, that’s part of the adventure, but overall I don’t want to push my limits, I want to enjoy the outdoors. And laugh out loud at least once a day, even if it’s because every time I look in my rucksack I realise the absurdity of its contents.
A look into the shallows
What’s in there that’s so funny? Next to the shortened toothbrush are not one, but two large packs of gummy bears. * Weight: 400 grammes And five Peak Punk energy bars. I could’ve packed the Vango F10 Hydrogen Airtunnel tent for the weight of the snacks. In the side pocket of the rucksack, there’s also a 100-gramme bar of chocolate within easy reach. Some may call it unnecessary cargo. Unhealthy too.
The truth is, outdoors, I prefer to eat sweets instead of insects. Treats definitely aren’t a must. But they sweeten the adventure for me and remind me of the scout camps from my childhood, where everyone – more or less secretly – had sweets with them. Nowadays, sweets sometimes help my nerves, are sometimes a reward after an exhausting stage and then serve again as a quick energy boost when things get physically strenuous.
When it comes to my sleep arrangement, I’m not restricting weight either. The Grüezi-Bag sleeping bag with a wool/down mix keeps me cosy warm, so I don’t want to give it up in favour of a weight-saving model.
In the meantime, I’ve also moved away from the lightest model of mat, which I had to patch several times because the thin outer shell had holes in it. Now I can have more insulation and also more weight, because a good night’s sleep is important to me.
And of course, I can’t forget my coffee. Instead of simply pouring water onto the ground coffee and sipping the liquid over the coffee grounds from the lightweight titanium pot, I have a thermo mug and French press system with me. That weighs around 300 grammes.
Regardless of what I pack, good planning, sensible consideration and a bit of risk awareness are always essentials on my hike – and these things weigh nothing.
Want an insight into my backpack? I’ve listed my favourite products for enjoyable outdoor experiences below.
Backpack and bedroom:
How to make your bed:
The style:
The dining room and bathroom:
Water bottles + Thermos flasks
Rosenstein & Söhne 2in1 stainless steel thermo cup with French press system
0.48 l
And the treats:
Sports nutrition
Peak Punk Bar Mix Package
Raspberry, Cheesecake, Brownie, Cashew, Salted Peanut, White Chocolate Raspberry, Blueberry Muffin, Almond, Lemon, 20 pcs., 1072 g
What unnecessary or absurd things are in your hiking kit? Let me know in the comments.
In the series «You call that a hobby?!», together with cartoonist Stephan Lütolf, we show the absurdity of our passions.
Header image: Stephan Lütolf
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.