The Incredible Righteousness of lightness

[memaquay]

The Righteousness of Lightness – Helpful or harmful?

There is a lot of discussion on canoeing boards about decreasing weight, both in canoes and gear. For many, the quest for lightness becomes quasi-religious. A few years ago, when the aches and pains of a lifetime of debauchery began to make themselves known on a daily basis, I began to explore the righteousness of lightness too.

This is what I found out:

1. Be prepared to pay a lot of money .
2. Be prepared to suffer the slings and arrows of humiliation if you admit to making more than one carry across a portage.
3. You had better be happy wearing a hair shirt (the same hair shirt, and no change of underwear) for an entire trip.
4. If you don’t dehydrate your meals, you are out of the Club.
5. Liquor is a no-no.
6. Be prepared to use a kayak paddle in a solo canoe.
7. Make lists that are pages long that show all of the stuff you don’t bring.
8. Get a really large line-of-credit to stay on top of all the most recent gear.

I have decided that I am no longer in the quest. I grew up carrying heavy things; in fact, it was a badge of honour to carry the heaviest things. I have grown soft in the last few years, but I will get it back. I’m not going to scrimp on my next canoe build, it’s going to be double and triple strength. And I’m going to enjoy those three carries across every port, because I am no longer in a hurry.

My students are the ones who have pushed me back into the incredible rightness of heaviness. Here’s a few pics:


This is a 110 pound girl effortlessly carrying a 75 pound cedarstrip.


The infamous “triple” carry that many of us do on good portages.


The meeting of the new and old – barrel meets canvas


90 pound 14 year old carries two barrels probably exceeding his weight.


The old tin-can-shuffle with 85 pound aluminium


The two barrel-one bucket carry through the swamp.


I call this one “Freestyle”, or “Portage Ballet”, although there has been a recent debacle over the terminology. There is a kid behind her with a boombox that is playing CCR “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”. Her signature move is to use the paddle as a pivot in the mud and fling herself across to dry land. The grace that she did it with made me cry on two occasions.


This is what happens when the freestyle move known as the mud-divot doesn’t work.


Finally, I told these girls that some people won’t carry a canoe if it weighs more than 30 pounds. You can see the look of surprise and laughter on their faces.

I’ve decided I’m going to be a newb again. I’m going to buy a cheap Canadian Tire tent, cover it with a blue poly tarp, carry a ton of gear and have the best time of my life, just like a did when I started canoe tripping. I’m not going to worry about the proper canoe footwear, or the best quick dry pants, and I’m never doing an entire trip with only two pair of underwear again. I’m going Heavy! I’m leading a new movement in Canoeland! Heavy is back!

 

[Rippy]

Well alright then Mem! I guess I'll take the bait and play. I just can't believe I'm getting sucked into this thread by a chubby beer swilling canoe building Canuck. And a dang fine one at that. In fact if you are going to three port why don't you consider building a large cedar strip canoe shaped cooler with hinged lid. You could tow it like a trailer across the lake. Built in portage wheels and a tow handle bar on the bow for porting. Maybe get a dog to pull it across the port.

Me, maybe I'm in denial, but I'm saying that I am in the medium gear weight class with the normal people. (people not obsessed in one direction or another.) Say I forgot to ask, was this supposed to be a serious thread? Anyway, I might be on the high side of medium as I am at my limit for a double port now. In fact, that Husqvarna axe from Bob B's thread might have just put me over the limit. Dave

 

[memaquay]

Hmmmmmm…….two trips……I never thought of that one. Think I'm gonna have to rethink my whole spiel.

 

[Rippy]

But wait,,,,,,,,,,,,there's more. Looking at your list of righteous requirements of lightness I gotta say this.
#4 works for me as I'm too lazy to cook. I can add water and simmer my way to supper. It's not that good but it will keep you alive. In fact I'm so lazy I have sunk as low as instant coffee on trips.

#6 Satan's paddle, I had a solo canoe a few years ago that paddled best with a double blade. It flew right along with a yak stick. The trouble is I like a single blade and don't enjoy a double blade at all. Anyway that's when I switched back to soloing in a tandem canoe. I know that there are people here that paddle more miles a year with a double blade then I put on my car and I respect them. It's not a option for me. If I'm going to swing one of those double blades I'll go all the way to the dark side and have a seat back as well.

 

[memaquay]

Well, we could work out a scoring routine, like 2 out of 8 makes you mildly righteous, where as an affirmative answer to 7 or more makes you RIGHTEOUS.

 

[Mihun09]

We are with you in the heavy league! Usually two carries each on a trip, even if just a weekend. Sometimes 2 1/2 carries or 3, each, even over a 2.2km port. No hurry, we are on vacation. Killing oneself is not an option. That doesn't mean we aren't seeking lighter alternatives. We are about reducing bulk, which could eliminate one pack, which would be one less carry. Christine will always bring fresh food for the start of a trip and the potatoes might last most of the way through. Our lightest boat is 40 pounds but more when you stuff paddles in and there is a chair hanging off the rear seat. Maybe even a water bottle hanging off the bow for balance.

Mind you, really long carries could kill Christy, so we have to watch for that.

 

[memaquay]

Mind you, really long carries could kill Christy, so we have to watch for that.

Not to make light of that, but you might be a real candidate for righteousness. If you come on a trip with me, I'll carry some of her stuff, cause it's easier to pack out a food barrel than a body.

 

[Rippy]

Need help with #3, is a hair shirt = to no shirt. If so, mine would be a minimal gray hair shirt. And what's with this under wear change thing, you must be taking some extended trips if you need to change them along the way. I seldom change them at home, why would I want to be bothered while on vacation?

 

[DuctTape]

There is no righteousness of lightness, nor is there virtue of heft.

To each his/her own. I am a lightweight paddler and backpacker. I do not feel the need to prove my manliness by carrying more than is needed. As to the list:

1. Not bringing something costs nothing. Most weight savings comes from leaving excess gear at home.
2. No slings and arrows, but only making one carry allows me to go further and farther on a trip. I would rather not hike 9 miles for a 3 mile portage.
3. Long distance backpacking has taught me how to deal with less clothing. It is possible to wash clothes too.
4. There is a club? Dehydrated food is mostly for spoilage concerns not weight. I eat well on all my trips. Less weight in excess gear means more food for a longer trip.
5. Liquor is less weight than beer. But again, cutting out excess gear allows more beer to be brought.
6. Or use a single stick in a solo canoe, or in a tandem. Saving weight doesn't require a kayak paddle. I use both, depends on the trip.
7. I don't get this one.
8. Repeat of #1. Less gear doesn't cost anything. As with backpackers, most who have heavy gear is a result of taking extra stuff, "just in case". Some erroneously assume that those of who go light somehow suffer without having our chairs, coolers, cast iron, etc... Not so. We have just learned to enjoy ourselves without packing our house into our backpack (or canoe).

If taking extra stuff makes you happy, then go for it. Just because the canoe can hold it, doesn't mean I have to pack it. I enjoy my trips without lugging barrels and extra packs. In general I pack like I was backpacking. I toss my pack on, and hoist the canoe on my shoulders. If tandem, then we have one heavy pack and one light. The light pack goes with the canoe person, and the person with the heavier pack also carries the paddles/pfds.

 

[Mihun09]

Bring one of your kids along, they could handle the body portage based upon the photo's shared.

What it comes down to is, take what you want or feel you need regardless of weight or bulk. We can still cover 25km in a day with 10 portages and our multi-pack system. We don't need to cover a lot of water, we set reasonable goals for each day and just enjoy the ride, which is really what it is all about in the end.

 

[icedragonmx]

lines 1 and 8 is where the most trouble is. It cost a lot to loose the last few pounds! Best is to find the middle ground or just take what you can handle. I do have some light stuff (27# canoe) but just end up taking more stuff regardless. Still doing the 110# worth of gear in one port.

The smiles in the pictures is what its all about! That is what makes the rest worth it !!!!!

 

[Rippy]

I guess "excess gear" is in the eye of the beholder. I don't view anything I bring as excess gear, yet I'm loaded up on a double carry. There are a few things I take that I've never used but I won't leave them home just in case I need them next time. I haven't needed my PFD ever, but I think I'll keep wearing it just in case. Also I need to point out that I go tripping in cooler Fall weather to avoid crowds so my clothing and bedding are heavier.

I'm sure we all have similar but slightly different priorities.

I'm going to claim #2, #3, and #4 (it's my story) which should put me solidly into the mildly righteous category. That would be a hard sell around here. Maybe self righteous would be more like it.

 

[memaquay]

Rippy, I googled some definitions for you:

a hair shirt if someone wears a hair shirt,they choose to make their life unpleasant by not having or experiencing anything that gives them pleasure I don't think you have to put on a hair shirt in order to be a socialist.

A garment of rough cloth made from goats' hair and worn in the form of a shirt or as a girdle around the loins, by way of mortification and penance.



I'm not sure about the underwear thing, but if you bring ten pair for a ten day trip, you can burn a pair every morning and become more righteous as you go, except in the eyes of the non-underwear burning crowd.

[FONT=times new roman, times, serif]Ductape, thanks for representing, as the kids say. We meed some light weighters to correct my list. As to number 7, perhaps it was my mistake, as most times when a newb on the board asks what to bring, someone will post a list, and then everyone will proceed to take all the items off the list except some waterproof matches, a bee's wax candle, and a live sheep that can be eaten a little at a time while still providing warmth at night. Well, perhaps I exaggerate. [/FONT]

only making one carry allows me to go further and farther on a trip

[FONT=times new roman, times, serif]I used to be like that too, but something changed when I hit 50, I still make the distance, but am not so concerned about the timeline.[/FONT]

 

[red langford]

Write something...

Heavy means discomfort on the ports and comforts in camp, light means comfort over the ports and less comforts in camp. Only you can decide which is more important to you

 

[Rippy]

OK, I'm not quite sure about the hair shirt thing yet so I'm only claiming 1/2 point for #3. I can go a week with the same undies (boxers)(they don't seem to sneak up behind me) no problem. All that dried food I can probably go a week with out crapping. Heck, I'm fine with commando if that's worth any righteous points. I'm at 2 1/2 yet and holding.

 

[Seeker]

I went completely ultralight about 12 years ago, searching for a way to continue getting out as my back and knees got older. That 110 lb girl probably still has both... show me a picture of an old guy who's having fun carrying a 75 lb canoe over a 1 mile, mucky, rainy, rock-strewn portage... I'd rather carry the ultralight canoe, personally. But I digress.

Along the way, I re-discovered some skills I'd picked up in my earlier years, corrected some mistaken beliefs I had about what needed to enjoy myself, rediscovered the canoe, learned some things about the UL philosophy that I didn't want to live with (safety, durability of gear, and required overattention to care in use of gear), and decided that pure ultralight was not for me. So I came back partway. Someone elsewhere coined the term "comfort-weight"... I guess that's where I am...

Things I kept UL: my pack, my water treatment, and my utensils (I only need a spoon... I carry a camp knife anyway, and sharpen a stick when I need a fork), and using only one cook pot. One set of clothes, 1 pair of shoes (unless it's cold, then pack boots come along), 2 pairs of socks. Single portages if at all possible. Use of smaller quantities (e.g. toothpaste, sunscreen, and bug repellent), enough for that trip plus a little extra (but not to the point of dehydrating my toothpaste!) Empty soda bottles for water (vs a half pound Nalgene).

Things I added back: Aluminum pot vs tiny titanium thing. Mug (vs kool-aid jar for bowl w/lid). Axe/Saw. A cotton t-shirt to sleep in. More drink/soup mixes and snacks. A wee nippy o'something good.

Things I use skill to do: Frame for a bush chair, bacon on a stick (vs frying pan), cookfire vs stove, tarp/hammock vs tent. Poncho vs rain suit, poncho vs windbreaker. Sleeping bag as insulating layer under poncho when needed.

Things I don't have the money to solve: I can't afford a PBW Rapidfire, so I built my own stitch and glue canoe (50#) for here in LA, and bought a w/c Old Town for use in NY. I can still carry it, but it's a beast to get up overhead without help. I will get a portage cart for it for Christmas.

Bottom line, I've settled back to comfort... a balance of cost, weight, and comfort that I am willing to bear, in a system that works for me. I don't care what anyone else brings, so long as they carry it and not me.

 

[oldschool]

I was going to do an intervention on Mem, but I think I'm the one that may need help! I remembered the shame I felt taking the camp chair with me on the last little solo trip I did. (I also remember how much more comfortable it was than sitting on a log.) Since then, I've been feeling very envious of Mike's tripper truck and feeling a need to go out and buy one. And now I'm thinking how nice a big moter home would be! (A little hard to portage, but I'll get a cart.)

I'm ok now; I just slapped my face a few times and rubbed some snow on my chest. This is what happens to those of us that are weak. And it all started with one little chair!

 

[memaquay]

Ha ha, I too am envious of Mike's tripper truck, I believe if i wasn't married, i could live in something like that. I started bringing a chair last year, a helinox thing, which really isn't much more weight, and I love it. It's so nice at the end of a long day to sit back in that chair and pop open a can of beer, or six.

 

[Mihun09]

If you ever come to Manitoba to trip, or N/W Ontario, bring a gallon of bug juice. It is worth it's weight. We gave Robin all we could and Raid Mosquito coils too and I believe he did use it.

We don't pump water, ever, we have a base camp gravity system that rolls up into a milk jug. Weighs a pound maybe. Don't leave home without it. We have one of those collapse-able water jugs we fill with said filtered water then lug that around with us daily since we consume it and won't be pumping. Water jug is heavy but water is life.

Sure I could give up the big arse Pelican with my DSLR that likely weights 15 pounds, but I bought the camera mostly for tripping so it comes.

Food, barrels, always. Weekend, 30 litre. More than a week, either both 30's or the 60. Mind you it usually has the pots and pans as well as the 5 pounds of cutlery in there too. Can weigh as much as 60 pounds alone.

About the only thing UL for me next year will be a Synmat 9. Mem might have to lug around Christine's cot if she does go that way, but once I get my mat I bet she wants one too.

 

[Odyssey]

Nice post memaquay. I'm proud of those young trippers, for their efforts, accomplishments, and their optimistic attitude. The quiet pride on their faces is clear. Some self sufficiency along with camaraderie and cooperation leads to a good group trip, regardless of the mud, rain and bugs.
​As far as gear goes, well I guess it's a personal thing. I used to think lighter, newer and high-techier stuff was sissy; until I felt repeatedly let down by heavier, older and no- techie stuff. I started to relax my aversion to the latest fashion in stuff, and weighed the possibilities. I've been over thinking everything ever since, but I've made some improvements to my tripping experience. I've gone lighter not out of being a fashion conscience follower, but out of a need to be more sensible to my body. I'm not old and worn out yet, but there's no sense in speeding up that process.
However, the junk I borrowed or bought in the beginning got me out there, even if it wasn't the best. Going the traditional route, as far as canoe and gear is concerned, is an option I continue to consider.

"This is what I found out:

1. Be prepared to pay a lot of money .
2. Be prepared to suffer the slings and arrows of humiliation if you admit to making more than one carry across a portage.
3. You had better be happy wearing a hair shirt (the same hair shirt, and no change of underwear) for an entire trip.
4. If you don’t dehydrate your meals, you are out of the Club.
5. Liquor is a no-no.
6. Be prepared to use a kayak paddle in a solo canoe.
7. Make lists that are pages long that show all of the stuff you don’t bring.
8. Get a really large line-of-credit to stay on top of all the most recent gear."

This is what I've found out:
1) I don't want to know what I've spent. I try to be as frugal as I need to be, but don't mind too much if I spoil me and M a little.
2) I plan our trips to avoid portages with names like Devil's Back Door, or Stairway to Hell. But I don't mind portages as a rule. We'll single carry if we can, otherwise doing a double is fine. I consider the carry as part of the whole trip, not an interruption to the paddling part.
3) I'm not into the hair shirt thing. Tripping for me is never part of a ritualistic proving ground, but rather a whole body-spirit escapism thing. Kinda hippy-religious-weirdo talk I know. Don't worry, I don't talk to the animals or anything. I just aim for a positive and relaxing trip, not a punishing training ground testosterone trip. In short, I won't feel guilty if the trip is easy and fun.
4) I'm meaning to join the dehydrating club, and will do so gradually as I learn enjoyable recipes. But some fresh food will always come along.
5) Liquor comes along sometimes. A glass of wine or scotch in the evening is nice sometimes, as is a cold can of Guinness in the summer, but only sometimes.
6) The single vs double blade decision is one I'll ponder when I start solo tripping. Not there yet.
7) There's no sense in making a list of things I won't miss.
8) I like making do with less, so I won't mind not spending big bucks on new gear. I actually step back as often as I step forward in gear tech. I love my poly long johns, but wear old cotton canvas type shorts. We have a nice tent, tarp and sleeping bags, but still love an old wool blanket, worn work gloves and old clothes.