Well, I've packed already and even made a home made lamb madras to enjoy on the slopes of Yr Wyddfa tomorrow evening... Unfortunately the port that was intended to accompany it hasn't survived the journey from the bottle to the rucsack. It might be a slow start in the morning!

Here's the gear list for the 3 day trip over the Welsh Metric 4 Peaks (51km, 3500m ascent).

ion torch 30g
Minimal 1st Aid Kit 80g
Silva E4 compass and BMC Map 150g
OMM Mountain Marathon 32 650g
Atomic Pants 150g
Montane Prism 360g
Laser Tent 1300g
Kettley Thing (no lid) 85g
Pocket Rocket 85g
spoon 15g
1 litre Platy 25g
2 litre platy 35g
titanium mug 70g
Montane 180 waterproof 180g
Alpkit Pipedream 800g
Thermo Max Pad 470g
Total Weight of Selected Items 4486g

Of course, that excludes worn items (i.e. clothes), food and consumables. The mobile isn't included, but some gear is shared so that will balance that out. Got to listen to the Welsh side thrash the Irish on Saturday!

It would be easy to take this below 4 kilos. The tent is rather heavy, but a spacious luxury that could be replaced by an under a kilo Laser Competition, the sleeping bag could be a good 2-300g lighter this time of year and the sleeping pad is an extravagance that could be cut down to 150g at the expense of a good night's sleep (and what does that weigh in as?)

To do all that, cutting the pack weight to nearer 3.5Kg would cost in the region of £500. Free weight loss would be leaving one platy and the mug at home, and technically some of the gear's shared as well.

Oh yes... I suppose the camera is the only cheat. Seeing as I'm going to be wearing it, I suppose it doesn't count ;-)

Ok, here’s the pack with all the gear in it bar the torch. I’m replacing the tarp and bivvy, they’re in the post along with the torch, and expect the weight to be comfortably under the 2.3kilo mark. Will be measuring the lot with a spring scale.

In fact, i’m not sure what to include in the last 300g of spare weight? Suggestions on the back of a fiver to the email below.....

Base weight, how low can you go? I’ll get my pertex coat.....

Ok, this isn’t something for the Winter months, but i’ve got to have something to look forward to once there’s no chance of snow.

Looking online for a rough definition of what pack weight is classed as i’ve found the following. <9.1 kilos is lightweight (this is probably around what i carry on a winter camp!) <4.5 Kg is Ultralightweight <2.3 Kg is Superlighweight

These are base pack weights - so they include all your carried equipment (tent, spare clothes, stove etc.) but exclude what you’re wearing and consumables (food and fuel)/ Of course, one can wear all of the clothing and cook the books in that way (unless you leave the stove at home). Walking poles are often counted as ‘worn’ as well - so there’s a lot of number juggling involved.

So my mission, if i choose to accept it, is to superlightweight in Snowdonia sometime in the spring/summer. With that sort of packweight though, something’s got to be sacrificed be it cooked food, comfort or a lot of money. I’m determined to do so without spending a fortune as i could easily buy a sleeping bag 300g lighter than mine. The weather’s also got to be pretty fine, as I’ll not be carrying much in the way of spare clothing. So around 4 degrees at night should be OK.

The pack’s been bought, only £15 and a decent little thing at 305g. I’m getting my shelter next, for not much more. So far I’ve got the pack weight to just over 2kilos, to which I’ll add a few odds and sods (i can fit all those into the 200g I’ve got spare!). The weight also assumes that I’m not sharing any gear - it’s going to be a solo weight. Splitting it in 2 is far too easy! Likewise, I’ve got to be able to prepare hot food.

To test this - i reckon that a 3 day trip - medium level, in late spring should be a sufficient test. Something like the Eryri Way from Penrhyndeudraeth to Conwy, around 75km should do the trick. In fact, if rain is promised then I’ll be even more comfortable as I’ll just wear Paramo waterproofs for the duration (worn = don’t count!)

Is it just me, or does anyone who wants a decent weight overnight pack cringe when they see 4 to 5 kilo tents advertised as lightweight! What about an ultralightweight as 2.5kg? For a pack that would be tasty, tent? Hmm... no thanks... Anything 'much' over 2 kilos for 2 people is heavy imho, unless it's a proper, full-on winter tent or rather obviously, designed for more than two people. Basically, if there's extra weight, you need to be getting some extra benefit such as sturdyness or two porches instead of one.

Weighing 1.8kg, this is more like it!

Problem is, many will be drawn in by this 'mis-selling' for their first wild camp and end up carrying far too much weight and give up! Afterall, they bought the 'lightweight' gear, so without quantifying it they may well give it up as a bad job, missing out on some superb outdoors experiences. And as they say, that will be that; unless they develop the lightweight mindset.

What is this 'mindset' i hear you both ask?
1 - Weigh everything! The more of a geek you are, the better. Once you know the weight of everything, but the value of nothing, you'll be half way there.
2 - Leave it behind unless you're certain you'll need it. As said earlier, the value of everything.
3 - Never, I REPEAT NEVER trust anything that's described as lightweight, ultralightweight or similar without checking the weight first! Once you start with no 1 though, you probably don't need to be told about this.
4 - A bit of luxury is essential, so long as it isn't too heavy! This is a lightweight mindset, not a masochistic mindest! Nowt wrong with a bit of Drambuie on a wild camp, it's virtually compulsory!