ULTRA EN-LIGHTENMENT
By Razz Gormley
I’ve never really been fast. I’ve backpacked over 6,000 miles and anyone who’s done parts of that with me, can tell you that speed has never been a huge concern of mine. On the contrary, my typical thru-hiking style could be considered almost leisurely—as leisurely as one can trek 20-30 miles a day, anyway. Certainly, I’ve
never paid much mind to speed records. Yet, somehow, I find myself in year three of an epic struggle to break the unsupported speed record for completing the 486 mile Colorado Trail in just 10 days. So, why the change of heart?
It was late June 2012 and I was sitting in the grass, forming a circle with a group of good people. We were on day four of Lighten Up Boulder, the five-day yoga and juice fasting workshop, I help to facilitate. During meditation, I was looking deeply into the question how could I be of better service to the well being of the world? It came to me then, that I wanted to be a voice, for all those unable to speak their truth and to act as a heart, for all that are never allowed to follow their own. Living a vegan lifestyle, I took this to mean the billions of sentient, feeling beings that are made to suffer and lose their lives each week, for the gain of others.
Sitting here now, it seems foolish for me to have such grand aspirations. I’m almost embarrassed. I’m not fully sure how to go about doing this, but one thing I’ve decided, is that if I’m going to be a voice for all those that have none… I had better learn how to raise my own, a bit. Hence, the record. You want people to pay attention? Break a world record! Break it, even if it’s the kind that no one really cares about.
Easier said, than done.
Two months after the plan’s conception, I found myself on the trail. One day later, I found myself injured in my bed, with a pack, half my size and weight, taunting me from across the room. I didn’t make it far on that initial endeavor, but I did learn a lot. It was obvious that I needed to make some changes. The first thing I needed to do was cut my pack weight and because food is non-negotiable, that meant new gear. I am typically a minimalist, but would not distance hike in the Rocky Mountains without, at the least, a stripped down three season set up. I’ve had my ass kicked by the inclement weather in these peaks, enough times to know that I don’t feel comfortable with anything less.
Once I began to scrutinize my gear, I realized that most of it had come from my era of “en-ultralight-enment.” Those days when Ray Jardine opened my eyes to a whole new world of 1.1oz per square yard possibility. The problem? That was 10 years ago. In today’s world, backpacking gear is lighter, stronger, sleeker and more functional than ever. It’s evolving with us. Speaking of evolution, as I have evolved from omnivore to vegan, so has my gear had to follow. I’ve purged my pack of all down vests and wool hats, but luckily have not had to make any sacrifices in quality, warmth, or weight. Today’s synthetics offer consumers a viable, cruelty free alternative to animal sourced products. Now, if I could only get them to switch to 100% recyclables and hemp oil instead of fossil fuels…
I set out on my second attempt at the record at the beginning of September 2013. I felt much more confident than the last time. I was able to train more effectively. I made major upgrades to my outdated equipment and, most importantly, I had spent a year wrapping my mind around the 48-mile-a-day pace. It had somehow morphed and distorted into a manageable number. Hell, it’s just three hikes of 16 miles. It’s just 3 m.p.h. from 4 a.m to 10 p.m., everyday. No sweat, right? I was, after all, figuring in a whole hour a day for water, food and bathroom breaks, route finding, picture taking, donning and shedding layers, etc. In truth, that pace provided me with almost a full day of wiggle room, in case I fell off a bit.
The problem was, I fell off a lot. By the end of day four, there was just no denying the harsh mathematical realities of time, speed and distance. I pulled up short of my goal for the day and hitched out of a thunderstorm into Leadville. I had, at least, been making respectable time. Had I finished out the last few miles to camp, I would have been averaging just under 40 miles per day, only three off of the record pace. I came away feeling more encouraged than disappointed.
In order to accomplish a feat, such as this, you not only have to have high quality, light weight gear, you not only have to be strong, relentless and tougher than hell… you have to be lucky. There are so many variables and so few of them were in my control. If I had caught a few breaks with the weather and made two, or three different choices, I feel things could have worked out very differently. Then again, I called it off a few days before a thousand year flood, swept across Colorado. Had things gone well, in the beginning, I may not have lived to try again, next year.
Here are some thoughts on the gear system that I chose for my hike. Whether you are thru-hiking, weekending, or car camping, this system will provide you with everything that you need to get the most enjoyment out of your next outdoor adventure — all at less than 10 pounds.
PACK: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 3400
Through all of my years of wilderness travel, I have been on a ceaseless quest to find the perfect backpack. I can finally stop looking. Weighing in at an amazing 30 ounces, the
Windrider has everything that this minimalist needs and nothing that I don’t. The body is made of a cuben fiber hybrid material that is both durable and 100 percent waterproof — allowing me to shed the weight of a pack cover. It is also cavernous. At 3400 cubic inches, I was able fill it with a lightweight three-season set up, 10 days worth of food and 4 liters of water in the hydration sleeve, and I still had room to spare under the roll-down storm top. The Windrider also features an additional 600 cubic inches of storage in its three, easy-to-access, external mesh pockets—perfect for snacks, rain gear, or anything else I needed while on the go. The over-the-top Y-strap compression system provides seven points of pressure to keep me locked in tight, even while speeding down steep, rocky descents. I was pleasantly surprised by this pack’s ability to comfortably haul a 45-pound load. The two removable aluminum stays offered plenty of support and the well cushioned shoulder straps and hip belt (with two handy water resistant zip-up pockets), kept me free from bruises, even after 16-hour, 40-mile days. I absolutely fell in love with this pack. Whether on an overnight in the Utah Desert or another long distance hike in the Rockies, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider is the only pack I will ever need. $295; hyperlitemountaingear.com
SHOES: Chaco Rex Sandal
One of the first things to consider, before any long distance hike, is footwear. I’ve been very satisfied with my old Chaco Z1s, but since they’ve endured more than 1,000 backcounty miles, I thought it may be wise to retire them, rather than chance their inevitable demise. Besides, I had been dying to get my feet into a pair of the new Chaco Rex Sandals!
Chacos have a number of advantages over traditional hiking footwear. They are infinitely more comfortable than a boot, more durable than a trail runner and obviously more breathable, than either. People often ask me, “Don’t you get rocks in your shoe?” Of course, I do. I always have, regardless of my footwear. The difference now, is that the stones mostly remove themselves, without my having to stop and take off my shoes. I can say the same thing for fording creeks, thanks to Chaco’s new Eco Tread—made with recycled materials—which provides excellent traction, even on the slickest of rocks. I barely slow down. I just pick my route, go for it and my Chacos are dry within minutes. There is no greater pleasure during a long, hard 30-plus-mile day on the trail, than taking a minute to give your feet an “ice bath,” when you come across a cold mountain stream. I do carry a pair of neoprene socks, but save those for cold and rainy days. And what about support? The Choco Rex’s easily adjustable one-strap webbing system kept my feet planted firmly on the super comfy LUVSEAT footbed, in a wide range of conditions. If your ankles are wobbly, then you need to lighten your pack, increase your training regiment or both. After putting in more than 6,000 miles of backpacking in nearly every condition, I have not found a tougher, more comfortable, or versatile pair of footwear. $90; www.chaos.com
SHIRT: ExOfficio Airstrip Lite Long Sleeve Shirt
Every time I button up this shirt, I feel as if, I’m about to embark on a grand cinematic expedition. Forget about the fact that the Airstrip Lite is like the swiss army knife of shirts, with an extendable sun-block collar, multiple venting options, a secret zip pocket and a dozen other badass features. Who cares about the fact that it’s lightweight with quick dry, moisture wicking, wrinkle resistant, UPF Sun Guard 30+ fabric and is both incredibly cool and surprisingly warm? I just love the fact that you can walk right off the trail, stroll into the local tavern and look absolutely dashing. Buy this shirt and you’ll wish that you had a different color for every day of the week. $65-$90; www.exofficio.com
BASELAYER: Patagonia Capilene 2 Crew
One of the reasons I chose to use Patagonia products on my record attempt is that I love to support a company with such a strong commitment to fair and sustainable business 
practices. It’s even better when the garment is as comfortable and versatile as the Capilene 2 Crew. I would pop this on for night hiking, sleep with it as a base layer and keep it on in the mornings, for those chilly alpine starts. I also carried a Patagonia Capilene 4 Crew, which is extremely lightweight, toasty warm and packs down to almost nothing. It was such a sweet reward to be able to slip into this shirt, at the end of a cold, wet, day. I’ve used the Patagonia Expedition Weight tops and bottoms, as my sleep wear, since my Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2002. They just keep getting better and at less than 6 ounces in a medium, much, much lighter. $49 Capeline 2, $79 Capeline 4; www.patagonia.com
JACKET: Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic
I have to say, when I first got my hands on the Thermostatic, I was more than a little skeptical. It is so much lighter and seemingly insubstantial than any insulated jacket that I’ve
owned, I had a hard time believing that it would keep me warm enough. I’m happy to admit that I was wrong. The first thing I noticed, when I slipped it on, was the silky smooth action of the zipper—easy to operate, even with numb hands or mittens. It soon became apparent that I was greatly underestimating the advancements in synthetic insulation technology. The Thermostatic uses Thermal.Q Elite insulation that is designed to closely mimic the structure of goose down, while still providing warmth and retaining its loft, wether dry or damp. This jacket offers plenty of protection from the cold on its own. Plus, it’s sleek cut and low profile design make it ideal for layering, fitting very comfortably under a shell. The Thermostatic features all the best qualities of down, with none of the harm to our feathered friends (which made this vegan very happy). $250; www.mountainhardwear.com
JACKET 2: Mountain Hardwear Sitzmark
Funny thing about the Sitzmark—I got this jacket to try it out on the Colorado Trail, but its true test didn’t come until after. Upon my return to Boulder, I was met with more rain
than I’d ever seen since moving from the East Coast. A constant, driving, deep soaking rain that lasted for days and days. Unfortunately, I had to venture out on a daily basis to search for a new place to live. Did I mention that I’m a bike commuter? Anyway, for the first couple of days, the rain was warm. Then the storm turned bitter cold. The Sitzmark kept me dry and comfortable, in both extremes. I was amazed by the performance of the Dry.Q fabric. It’s highly breathable, never clammy and stretchy enough to allow for excellent mobility. When I walked in my door, I would take it off, shake it out three or four times and it was dry as a bone. There was none of the water retention, or soaking through, that I’ve experienced with other jackets. I set out looking for high performance, technical rain gear for the trail and ended up finding my three-season everyday jacket. The Sitzmark has been in my pack, or on my body, every day since. $450; www.mountainhardwear.com
HAT: Columbia Wind Bloc Beanie
The first word that came to mind when I slipped on the new Columbia Wind Bloc Beanie, was economy. It is a minimalists dream! No pom poms, extra fabric or any frills, 
whatsoever. It’s just big enough to cover my head, ears and top of my neck, down to the collar. This is the first garment I’ve owned with Columbia’s Omni-Heat technology and I was pretty amazed at how much warmth it provides. I found out how important this hat can be, protecting me from hypothermia, on day two of my hike. It was a chilly morning, but I was comfortable enough with just my shirt, shorts and beanie. I started up a six-mile climb of about 2,700 vertical feet and, at some point, began to sweat. I popped open the buttons on my shirt and soon after, stuffed the beanie into the shallow pocket of my hiking shorts. Big mistake. When I reached the top of the climb, I found myself in an alpine meadow, with a low hanging, morning fog chilling the air. I reached for the beanie and a feeling of dread washed over me. I had lost it. I knew where it had been, but proceeded to check every pocket and dig through my pack. How could I have been so stupid to have lost such a vital piece of gear? The problem with attempting to set a speed record, is there is no turning back. It may have come out of my pocket 1,000 feet or five miles back. Even if I had been guaranteed to find it, there is simply no way to make up that time when you need to hike more than 40 miles in a day. I had to push on. When I reached Kenosha pass at 7:30 p.m. that night, I was cold, soaked from the waist down and in the grips of a teeth chattering, full on body shake. I put on layers, but as we all know, most of the bodies heat, escapes from the head. The only happy ending to this story, came about a week later. I was already home, having faced the fact that I was mathematically eliminated from reaching my goal. I reached into my mailbox and was shocked to find a manilla envelope containing my Wind Bloc Beanie. A couple of day hikers that I’d met in the meadow and gave my address, had mailed it along. They didn’t find it, but another hiker did and passed it along. I can’t help but wonder, if things had gone differently, had I not lost this impressively warm hat, would I have pushed on through the cold and dark for another hour that night, instead of retreating to the warmth and safety of my shelter? I was only four miles a day away from setting a new record. Oh well. I’m still struggling to let that go. At least I’ve been reunited with my hat and may be able to answer those questions when I try again next year. $28; www.columbia.com
LIFESAVER: SPOT Gen3
You and all of your loved ones will love the New Spot Gen3. You will love it’s decreased weight and the new movement sensitive technology, that helps to greatly improve battery life. Your family will love being able to follow along on your adventure and the piece of mind that comes from the ability to send “OK”, “HELP” and “S.O.S. EMERGENCY” messages. Take the Spot along on your next back country excursion. Your mom will thank you. $150; www.findmespot.com
STOVE: Vargo Triad Titanium Alcohol Stove w/ Aluminum Windscreen and Leak Free Bottle
Remember when you used to spend hours cutting up aluminum cans and tinkering with various inner wall heights and hole placements, trying to make the perfect lightweight alcohol stove? Well, maybe you are not as much of a gear nerd as I am, but trust me… it’s not as fun as it sounds. Whether you’ve had this experience, or not, you can relax. You no longer have to go through the trouble. Vargo has come up with a production scale alcohol stove, that is sturdy, ultralight and efficient. It takes a minute to prime, but once it does will bring three cups of water to boil in just a few minutes—even at elevation. The wind screen is very handy and will cut your cook time, but I’ve found that the Triad will work well even when using rocks or natural cover. I was extremely happy with its compact stature, ease of use and high level of performance. The Vargo Triad is my new “go-to” stove. $30 stove, $15 windscreen, $2.50 bottle ; www.vargooutdoors.com
HEADLAMP: Petzl Tikka Plus 2
On a record-attempting hike, your choice of headlamp is more critical than you might think. When you need to start at 4 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. to make your miles, you and your 
headlamp will be spending quite a bit of time together, so it had better be efficient and comfortable. The Tikka Plus 2 has been around for a while, but it still outshines the competition. I took the time to pour through comparisons and spreadsheets listing the facts and figures of every lamp out there and the Tikka is still tops. It features multiple brightness settings in both red and white light, a strobe feature for emergency signaling. I was sold on the excellent combination of weight, lumens and battery life. It runs on lithium or standard AAA batteries, making it easy to come by replacements on longer hikes. That may not seem like a big deal, while standing in your local REI, but try finding a nickel cadmium watch battery at a gas station in Lake City, Colorado. Sometimes, newer does not equal better. Such is the case with headlamps and the Tikka Plus 2. $36; www.petzl.com
PONCHO: Z Packs Cuben Poncho/Groundsheet (Solo)
Rarely have I been as curious to try a piece of gear, as I was the Z Packs Cuben Poncho. Cuben fiber is a cutting edge textile, that is waterproof, durable and extremely lightweight. 
I found this 5.1-ounce poncho to be very functional in protecting myself and my pack from the rain. I felt that it would have been even better, if it had been a bit larger, or I was a bit smaller. I’m 6 feet and 170 pounds. The coverage was fine in low wind conditions, but when the it started to whip, the poncho whipped around with it. It does have various lash points, giving it plenty of versatility. However, at my size, it was a little too restrictive of my movement when I tried to batten down the hatches. The Z Packs Cuben Poncho is a quality piece of rain gear, but I feel is better suited for small to medium sized hikers, if worn with a backpack at this solo size (the 6.1-ounce twin size may have been a better option for me). $155; www.zpacks.com
