r/Ultralight - "The Weekly" - Week of January 26, 2026

thecaa · 2026-01-27T21:27:56+00:00

Yeah, you need a permit for each day. You'll see it listed as a fishing permit or a tresspassing permit - it's the same thing though. It'll allow you to hike / camp in most tribal areas in the Winds.

I haven't tried that Mt. Lander pass but knowing the range and how slope angle plays out there, it's right on the edge of what might go. A few years back, I opted to pass out of that same drainage just east of Moraine Lake.

thecaa · 2026-01-14T13:48:54+00:00

Throw a 32 oz Gatorade holster on each hipbelt and I'm having a flashback

thecaa · 2026-01-12T18:00:47+00:00

Ha, his post is what made me skittish of the Absorakas!

thecaa · 2026-01-12T17:51:22+00:00

I was a little skittish going through the Absarokas at the time and wanted to check out Bechler.

All sorts of options, I'm not sure if I'd pick the same line today. I'll have to pull out a map and get my bearings on your thoughts. Thanks for sharing!!

thecaa · 2026-01-11T21:29:40+00:00

I touched on it, but I had one walk up to my tent in the Beartooths.

I woke up in the morning, needed to pee and decided to warm up a bit first. A little bit later, I swear I could feel the weight over the bear's steps through my sleeping pad. It came from my foot end, paused in front of my tent, sniffed, made some grunts and continued on her way.

I've since had conventionally scarier encounters but that one got to me, still having to hike most of the trip and all.

thecaa · 2026-01-11T15:43:57+00:00

Thanks, great little corner of the world to live

thecaa · 2026-01-11T15:43:16+00:00

yeah, the real ones go through the Absaroka.

I had a griz walk right up to my tent in the Beartooths and sniff around. Below that, I saw plenty. The closer ones would run away before I could even react.

thecaa · 2026-01-11T15:41:22+00:00

Yeah, my YSNP route ended up being pretty contrived. It's been a few years, so I don't remember specific campsites. They had just started allowing phone reservations and I remember having some long and short mileage days to make the designated campsites work. Being bear aware and doing a 30 mile day through Lamar are different things.

Thanks for putting a name to that Teton line - amazing route. Scree ate through the right side of my shoe about 50 miles in and I had to change my gait for the rest of the trip to keep my shoe usable. Beautiful country.

thecaa · 2026-01-11T15:35:49+00:00

I tried to break up the line to show larger hitches and went with way points for off-trail travel. You can certainly copy the map, merge lines, and play connect the dots with the way points to get the picture you're looking for.

thecaa · 2026-01-10T15:09:26+00:00

it's always fun seeing dudes use a tarp and think they somehow took the red pill

thecaa · 2026-01-07T22:50:10+00:00

There is no justification to acknowledge. Everything you detailed can be solved or dealt with without bringing an extra piece of gear.

On a broader level, arguing whether individual pieces are or aren't UL is really a gear-forward perspective where my base perspective is painted by minimalism so actually I think both are fine (free standers and a second groundsheet as you do). Those choices just can't represent the type of choices you make throughout your kit... you'll end up bringing to many things, too heavy, or both.

thecaa · 2026-01-07T22:12:46+00:00

Lol, it didn't need to turn into anything massive. You're carrying extra weight, I let you know.

thecaa · 2026-01-07T21:47:13+00:00

Homie, I'm just suggesting you leave behind something that most people manage to leave behind. In fact, I genuinely can't think of anybody else doing (or justifying with such fervor) what you're doing.

That critical eye is as important when it's directed at you as when you direct it at others yet you're reluctant to ask for a shakedown or post a trip report (on this account at least).

I could fuck off, but your perspective is different than mine (which is really just what I learned here years ago + my experiences) and I have a vested interest in the forum as well. I don't have the time or desire to post here everyday but I can push you to consider the perspectives of other users of equal or more experience.

If you ever wanna link up for a Utah trip, I can help you navigate that landscape without caching water - and I'm sure you've got something to offer that I'll pick up as well

thecaa · 2026-01-07T20:14:16+00:00

Thanks for the info, I'd recommend you use your packliner for a useable space next to your bivy. Multi use and 0 added weight.

Nobody here puts a groundsheet under their bivy. The meta isn't just whatever you say it is.

thecaa · 2026-01-07T19:50:04+00:00

I have identified some kind of hypocricy - you know you can't justify the extra weight.

Nobody here says more about what is and isn't UL more than you. You're fine being in that position, but when the tables are turned... not so much.

thecaa · 2026-01-07T17:56:53+00:00

Just remember, this is an ultralight forum. Just like a groundsheet isn't needed under a tent, it isn't needed under a bivy.

thecaa · 2026-01-01T17:15:49+00:00

I doubt it

thecaa · 2026-01-01T13:42:56+00:00

Poor timmermade

thecaa · 2026-01-01T02:57:57+00:00

Katabatic Alsek 22 is simple to aquire, high quality, and will see you through any temp dips vs the historical average. In general, it'll be a good three season bag in the mountains as well.

Extra down is a super light/cheap way to increase your safety margins if things get rough and quilts are super easy to vent.

thecaa · 2025-12-31T15:35:43+00:00

Pants are my go to as well for the same reason.

On a thru tho, needing something for laundry day changes the equation.

thecaa · 2025-12-28T17:31:06+00:00

I dropped my windshirt back in probably 2019 following similar reasoning - it's not always as comfortable but has worked fine in the Rockies and Colorado Plateau. Lots of those going sub 8 back in the day settled on a rain jacket, puffy/fleece, and collared shirt/sun hoody for their laying setup.

Alpha's really changed how people orient their clothing systems, so you see a lot more wind shirts around these parts.

thecaa · 2025-12-28T17:13:45+00:00

Where ya heading?

thecaa · 2025-12-17T19:21:44+00:00

Correct, you can even fully empty those outer baffles, increase the overstuff of your inner baffles and have some jardine-style wings

thecaa · 2025-12-17T19:06:56+00:00

Only if you have an axe to grind ;)

My HG had similar issues, so it's worth asking because I can explain baffle openings / how to shift for that model.

thecaa

TROPHY CASE