Cutting Weight

...on more than one front.

Since January, I've had $1100 at stake during my cousin's Biggest Loser competition. While I'm the featherweight of the bunch, I'm still shooting for 20% lost weight. It's a little hard to keep up with a workout routine with school and work; but the contest is a marathon, not a sprint, as the contest wraps on 1 July. Come 1 July, whoever has lost the highest percentage of their initial weight will win. So far, I'm down 5% from the baseline weigh-in.

Our hiking gear has been getting thinner as well. While I've cut 5% off myself, I've also cut 5 lbs. off my hiking gear. Replacements are as follows:

Pack
REI Talus 50L pack, 4# (SOLD)
Granite Gear Vapor Trail, 2#

Shelter
Sierra Designs Sirius tent, 4# (still in inventory, for trips w/ Lisa)
GoLite Cave 2 (hand-made), 21oz

Lisa's Pack
REI Talus 35w pack, 3# 8oz (SOLD)
Granite Gear Virga, 19oz

Sleeping Pad
Therm-a-Rest Ridge Rest (still in inventory)
T-a-R ProLite 3
[this change was made more for comfort, rather than weight]

I also began making some of my own gear. I am starting with stuff sacks, as they are necessary, and easy to make. I also have made my own version of the REI UL Flash pack, as well as a soft jerzee material stuff sack-turned pillow. When the Granite Gear packs arrive, I will be constructing the Ultralight Lid for the packs (much cheaper than purchasing them). Pictures will be posted soon.

... lighter on my joints, and lighter on my back.