Today’s episode is a SKILLS SHORT where we'll discuss the philosophy and skills of lightweight winter backpacking. This episode marks the first of our BPL Podcast Shorts: 15- to 20-minute episodes that focus on a news item, a piece of gear or tech, or specific ultralight backpacking skills.

This format won’t replace our long episodes. Instead, it will supplement them, so make sure you are subscribed so you don’t miss anything!

As we recorded this episode, a huge winter storm was rolling across large parts of the country.

So that made us think: how can we take the ultralight ethos and apply it to winter backpacking: a situation that usually requires more gear and a heavier pack?

After introducing the new format and the episode’s topic, Ryan jumps straight in: listing off the building blocks of a sub-15 lb two- or three-night kit. You might be surprised at what gets left out!

From there, the guys segway into a brief conversation around the idea of minimizing inputs in the outdoors.

• Click here for show notes or watch Ryan use this type of kit for a winter trip in SE Wyoming (article here, YouTube video here).

This episode is brought to you by the subscribing members of backpackinglight.com and is sponsored by REI, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and ZPacks.

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