So experts say your base weight (excluding consumables) shouldn’t exceed 20% of your own body weight. If you’re petite like me, things get pretty complicated…so here are my top 5 tips and tricks on shedding off a few pounds!

1. Did you know that the average mass of 1 strand of hair is approx. 0.62 milligrams? Yep. Shave your head.
2. Saw the handle off your toothbrush (an ultralight backpacker favorite!)
3. Remove all removable parts of your pack, they’re unnecessary. Actually, scratch that, forget the pack and get a sturdy plastic trash bag. Works marvels!
4. Save half a pound by leaving the toilet paper at home. Nothing like a leaf to wipe your bum. 
5. Forget the deodorant, soap and shampoo. Hope to God that you won’t meet your soulmate on the trail.

All jokes aside, I have decidedly accepted that I will not shave my head nor use a sturdy plastic trash bag as a pack so my aspirations to become an ultralight backpacker are unfortunately over…

Actual contents of my ultra-normal pack:

PACK

• Osprey Women’s Ariel AG 65 Pack (4.9 lbs.)
• REI 60L Pack Rain Cover (4.4 oz.)

HIKE

• Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles (1.0 lb.)
• Black Diamond Trekking Pole Tip Protectors (0.9 oz.)
• Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots – Women’s (2 lbs. 2 oz.)

ELECTRONICS

• Motorola Moto G (3rd Generation) Cellphone and Charger Cable (6.7 oz.)
• Anker Portable Battery Pack (13.1 oz.)
• SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger (4.0 oz.)
• Ipad Mini, Otter Box and Charger Cable (1 lb. 6.2 oz.)
• Seagate Portable Hard Drive (6.3 oz.)
• Apple Wireless Keyboard (11.1 oz.)
• Canon SX700HS Camera, Charger and SD cards (12.1 oz.)
• Black Diamond SPOT Headlamp and Batteries (3.1 oz.)

CAMP

• REI Co-op Quarter Dome 1 Tent (2 lbs. 14 oz.)
• REI Co-op Quarter Dome 1 Tent Footprint (4.6 oz.)
• REI Joule 30 Regular Sleeping Bag (13.0 oz.)
• Exped Synmat Medium Sleeping Pad (30.0 oz.)

COOK

• MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove (2.7 oz.)
• BIC Mini Lighter (0.4 oz.)
• Titan Storm Proof Matches (2.5 oz.)
• GSI Outdoors Infinity Stacking Cup (1.8 oz.)
• Stanley 1.5L Cooking Pot (12.6 oz.)
• Sea to Summit Spork (0.4 oz.)
• Opinel Inox N08 Knife (1.8 oz.)
• 1’’ x 2’’ Sponge (0.6 oz.)
• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System (7.9 oz.)
• Water Purification Drops
• SmartWater Water Bottle (0.1 oz.)

WEAR

• REI Long Sleeve Blouse (7.7 oz.)
• NIKE DRI-FIT Tank Top (2.5 oz.)
• Ideology Sports Bra (2.2 oz.)
• ExOfficio Give-N-Go Bikini Briefs x2 (2 oz.)
• NIKE DRI-FIT Shorts (3.3 oz.)
• NIKE PRO Leggings (5.5 oz.)
• Thermotech Women’s Performance Base Top and Pants (9.3 oz.)
• REI Co-op Merino Wool Hiking Socks x2 (5 oz.)
• SunCover Hat  (3.3 oz.)
• SunCloud Belmont Polarized Sunglasses and Case (2.7 oz.)
• The North Face Women’s ETIP Gloves (1.4 oz.)
• Puffy Insulated Jacket (1.2 lbs.)
• Waterproof Rain Jacket: Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket (8.6 oz.)
• Camii Mia Waterproof Pants (14.5 oz.)

HYGIENE

• Zip-top Bag (0.4 oz.)
• Dr Bronners Magic Lavender Organic Hand Sanitizer (2.0 oz.)
• Toothpaste (0.9 oz)
• Small Toothbrush (0.2 oz.)
• Nail Filer (0.1 oz.)
• Burt’s Bees Lip Balm (0.4 oz.)
• Elastic Hair Bands x2 (0.1 oz.)
• J-R-LIGGETT’S Old-Fashioned Bar Shampoo (4.2 oz.)
• LAROCHE-POSAY Anthelios 50 Sunscreen (2.4 oz.)
• Sanitation Trowel (0.9 oz.)
• Diva Cup (0.7 oz.)
• PackTowl (3.9 oz.)
• First Aid Kit (9.9 oz.)

OTHER

• Wallet and Passports (5.9 oz.)
• Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack – 20 Liters (3.2 oz.)
• Duct Tape
• Sewing needle & floss (0.2 oz.)
• New Zealand Map (3.3 oz.)

TOTAL BASE WEIGHT: 27 lbs. 11.4 oz.