Drop Weight

The old backpacker’s adage is that the lightest gear is what you carry between your ears: your brain. Ultralight gear often requires more know-how than traditional gear. Here’s how a Triple Crowner approaches her packing strategy.

- By Liz "Snorkel" Thomas

SHELTER: Weight vs. Ease of Setup A tent is more intuitive to pitch than a tarp, but a tarp is much lighter. However, you’ll have to learn how to tie the right knots, set up a windproof pitch, and select a campsite. Do it right, though, and a tarp can handle most three-season conditions.