During my childhood years on the family’s sheep ranch, it wasn't unusual to camp for weeks, or even entire summers at a time in the isolated deserts and mountains of Idaho. Due to the distance that needed to be covered every day over roadless terrain, the horse was the only logical choice of transportation. I was intriqued right away with the recreational possibilities a pack horse could provide. No way was dad going to relinquish the duties of a work horse for "play" though. Being stubbornly independent, that was fine by me and I began experimenting with backpacking. At the age of twelve, I did my first human-powered overnighter, alone. I was high as a kite with this newfound self-reliance. However, with the pack dwarfing my small frame, I barely made it two miles from where my mother had dropped me off. The prepubertal ignorance in me packed the type of gear you’d expect to see on top of a rented SUV in Yellowstone. It was a comedy of packing errors, but a great experience… and one that lead to my current line of thinking on travel: Comfort and enjoyment come more from the ability to move freely than it does from habitual conveniences.

A boat loaded with all the creature comforts does not have to be heavy.

Having a compact and light load means many things. First of all, packing and unpacking the boat becomes nearly effortless. Secondly, it makes for easier, faster, and safer carrying on portages and/or hike-ins. Lastly, regardless of boat, it will be faster, more responsive, and just generally easier to paddle. Lightness is just as good psychologically as well. It frees the mind fostering confidence and attentiveness.

How light? The extent you take this depends on your self-support skills, the nature of the trip, and the amount of homework you're willing to put forth. However, as long as you aren't trading comfort for weight savings, the lighter your boat is, the easier everything will be. And the more you are pushing your paddling and physical limits, the more you should be thinking about this. There are few if any sports where lighter doesn’t mean more performance. Kayaking is no different. So, other than giving your buddies an excuse to razz you, you have absolutely nothing to lose by saving every last bit of weight you can. And, if you play your cards right, you’ll have a whole lot to gain...including the satisfaction of seeing the banter quickly turn in to curious inspections then serious questions after your buddies feel how light your boat is. At that point though, the most forthright can turn sneaky. Watch these envious souls closely for they'll slip any number of ballasted items in your stern to make it "more fair" as they say. Mine used to attract rocks... or beer that was quickly retrieved by the hand of the guilty once to camp.

Ok, but doesn't going extra light mean I'll be cold, hungry and just plain miserable? No, not at all. By keeping things simple, having good gear, and throwing in a little creativity and some pre-trip food planning, it is possible to live more comfortably at camp than others carrying twice the weight (see gear list for examples). And you will certainly be burdened less while shouldering and paddling your boat. So, the question becomes this: Why carry extra weight if you don't have to?