To be precise, I am into ultralight through hiking. This is a specific type of outdoor travel that seeks to minimize the amount of weight you are carrying, in order to maximize the enjoyment of the terrain through which you travel. It emphasizes multi-day hikes with a start and endpoint that are usually non circuitous. This appeals to those of us who are goal oriented and like to cover country. If you are someone who dreads the treadmill, then you might just have an ultralight through hiker inside of you.
One of the things that keeps my interest in the off season are the technical aspects associated with ultralight gear. The ideal for most people is to assemble a kit that is sub 20lbs (9kg). This includes your backpack, shelter, sleep system, kitchen, emergency, clothing and food. By utilizing newer technology some hikers manage pack weights that are below 10lbs, but these systems do not include food.
My own system (not including food) comes in at just over 12lbs (5.5kg). This includes my pack, tent, sleep system, kitchen, emergency, and clothing. Its comfortable enough, and I have used it on several 100+km hikes in the Rockies. This is not glamping though, and I would only suggest such setups to those with significant experience in the outdoors.
One of my favorite resources for the ultralight scene is backpacking light. Here is an example of another hikers personal system for a PCT attempt with accompanying weights.
In my opinion there are a few key hikes that have really advanced the field of ultralight backpacking. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)and the Appalachian Trail (AT) are perhaps the most famous of the long distance hikes in North America. In Canada we have The Trans Canada Trail (TCT) a truly epic project meant to tie together Canadians across the country in our shared appreciation for our wilderness areas.
As I prepare for a winter overseas I am considering taking my ultralight gear with me. As a happy coincidence, I have found that much of my ultralight gear can double as international travel gear, and years ago I became an early adopter of the one bag travel strategy.
If anyone has recommendations for long distance (100km+) hikes outside of North America I would love to hear about them. Drop me a message or comment.
See ya in the Wild!
The Wild 
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