Young Ultralight Backpacker interviews our founder, Rob Anue.

Brice Wozniak, a senior in high school, did a project on ultralight backpacking. He learned about Ultralight Outfitters from Backpacker Magazine, where the Beer Can Stove was reviewed in their ultra light gear guide.

Brice: How long had you been backpacking the traditional way before you went ultralight?

Rob: I started backpacking the traditional way 35 years ago, and have been thinking about reducing weight for many years. I got the ultralight inspiration about 5 years ago.

B: How has ultralight backpacking made your trips more enjoyable?

R: I talk about this all over the Ultralight Outfitters website, so you can quote me from there. There is a threshold of weight below which the pack is comfortable all day and you don't have the urge to take it off. That is the magic of ultralight backpacking, when you are walking in the woods, feeling totally comfortable and having everything you need. Everything you need for day's of self sufficiency. I love the experience of seeing a peak or a ridge and thinking, "I'd like to walk up there and see what's there." and being able to just wander away.

B: Is it hard to camp without certain luxuries?

R: "Luxuries" is a funny word because it doesn't capture the reality of having stuff. There is always a trade-off for everything you carry, advantages and dis-advantages. A camp chair is fun to sit in, and can be quite comfortable. But the really comfortable ones probably weigh 8 pounds. So the price of carrying a camp chair twenty miles is not worth it. It's a trade-off. So deciding to go ultralight is choosing to make a certain set of trade-offs. You don't get a camp chair. You do get a pack that is so light that it is comfortable all day. You don't get an iron skillet. You do get to walk 20 miles if you want to without being sore. You get freedom of movement, and the freedom of being able to enjoy walking. Carrying the chair and skillet you are choosing to have a hard time walking, choosing to not walk too far, and choosing to have a really comfortable campsite experience.

I think what makes ultralight backpacking attractive is that by learning special skills and using special gear, you can minimize the drawbacks of "having to do without" and get all the benefits of the light weight. With a closed cell sleeping pad against a tree, sitting is nearly as comfortable as in the camp chair. With a good freeze-dried meal, a Beercan Cook Pot meal is just a tasty as a one cooked in a iron skillet.

In summary, I don't really miss any of the old "stuff" I used to carry, and feels "Luxurious" to me to stroll into a beautiful creekside setting, whip out the Beercan Cook Pot and Stove for a quick cup of soup, lay down for a rest, and then pack up and wander on.

B: Do you always go ultralight when you backpack?

R: Absolutely. I would never go back. That said, I also do enjoy car camping, and when I go on those trips I use lots of heavy gear. So the choice of ultralight for me is what I make when I will be walking in the wilderness. I love the walking, and ultralight is what makes that so pleasant and safe. Even if I am going on a day hike, I frequently like to carry a full Lightning Access Backpack. It only weighs 12 lbs!, and that gives me the ability to be totally prepared for anything. So it's also a safety thing. Think about the ultralight backpacker who wanders the mountains with all his gear. Compare him to the traditional backpacker who has packed in a lot of weight and is off on a day trip to the same mountain ridge. Suppose they both fall and twist an ankle. The ultralight backpacker can just make camp and hang out for a few days if he wishes (water allowing). The day hiker could be facing real trouble when it gets dark and cold and rainy.

B:Is ultralight backpacking a good alternative to traditional backpacking?

R: I think ultralight backpacking is the logical evolution to traditional backpacking. Lighter is clearly better other things being equal. The wisdom of ultralight backpacking is that with the right gear and skills you CAN make other things equal.

B: What things are better about traditional rather than ultralight?

R: Well it's about trade-offs. Some things you may not want to trade-off like a full size professional camera if you are a professional photographer doing a photo shoot. If you have a bad back, you might want to carry an extra sleeping pad.

B: Is ultralight always more expensive than traditional?

R: Not at all. A grandmother hiked the Appalachian trail with a shower curtain as her rain shelter, and she did just fine. Ultralight ends up meaning LESS STUFF, which is usually cheaper. The Beercan Cookpot and Stove kit is lighter and much cheaper than any other cookpot and stove. So I don't think you can really make the assumption that ultralight is necessarily more expensive.

B: Thanks for you time Rob. I really appreciate it. I love what you guys are doing there at Ultralight Outfitters.