Ultralight backpacking is an advanced style of backpacking that emphasizes packing (carrying) the lightest weight and most simple kit safely possible for a given trip. To reach this goal, base pack weight (the weight of a backpack plus the gear inside— excluding consumables such as food, water, and fuel, which vary depending on the duration and style of trip) is reduced as much as safely possible, though reduction of the weight of consumables is also applied.

Although no technical standards exist, the terms light and ultralight commonly refer to base pack weights below 20 pounds (9.1 kg) and 10 pounds (4.5 kg) respectively. Traditional backpacking often results in base pack weights above 30 pounds (14 kg), and sometimes up to 60 pounds (27 kg) or more. Extreme enthusiasts of ultralight backpacking sometimes attempt super-ultralight backpacking in which the base pack weight is below 5 pounds (2.3 kg).

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• Recreation: Travel: Specialty Travel: Backpacking (79)

• International Backpacking Association
  backpackingfun.com
  Provides backpacking related online videos, helpful hints, maps and low impact backpacking guides. Membership is required for full access.
• The Backpacking Site
  thebackpackingsite.com
  Backpacking information, adventure stories, photos, gear reviews, articles and other resources.
• The Complete Guide to the John Muir Trail
  johnmuirtrail.org
  This site describes the John Muir trail in its entirety, from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney. There is information about planning a trip, including permits, reservations, meal planning and recipes. A photo gallery accepts submissions from readers.

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