The General Consensus on Definitions and Terms for Ultralight Backpacking

I have been meaning to get this off my chest for some time now.  I started a discussion about this on BPL a while ago, but it didn't really go anywhere or catch on; so here is another attempt, this time with more substance--and I hope that the idea takes off (even if it is another shot in the dark).  

There is not really a consensus agreement on what defines Ultralight backpacking and its different variations.  Wikipedia's entry on the subject currently states:

"The terms light and ultralight commonly refer to base pack weights below 20 pounds (9.1 kg) and 10 pounds (4.5 kg) respectively. Traditional backpacking often results in base pack weights above 30 pounds (14 kg), and sometimes up to 60 pounds (27 kg) or more. Enthusiasts of ultralight backpacking sometimes attempt super-ultralight backpacking (SUL) in which the base pack weight is below 5 pounds (2.3 kg) and extreme-ultralight backpacking (XUL) in which the base pack weight is below 3 pounds (1.4 kg)."

Some Reflections and Future Plans

The past year had quite a lot going on for my little blog.  I've gotten a lot more total views than ever before, especially after finishing my guide to Bohusleden.  Thanks to anyone that keeps up with my humble ramblings, and I hope this place has been both helpful and enjoyable to read.  As far as gear goes, there have been a lot of changes to my gear lists too as I continue to really polish off details big and small, though there were not that many big changes when compared to some other gear-heads in the UL/SUL online community.  I really wanted to put the gear I have to the test, and overall I am pretty satisfied with my choices and how things performed.

Cesar's Guide to Bohusleden: Epilogue

Here are some final thoughts and advice on Bohusleden now that I have completed the whole thing.  I wish that I could have done the entire trail on one big thru-hike, but doing it in section hikes was still an excellent experience.  In the future I will most likely do a thru-hike of the trail.  

One could ask: So why Bohusleden, anyhow?  The answers are simple really.  For one, I live in Göteborg, so it is close to me and convenient to get to and from the trail, even at the northern start/end point in Strömstad.  Next, as I hope all the pictures and my commentary have shown, is that it's quite a lovely trail with a lot to offer.  

I divide the trail in my mind into three big parts: the north, middle, and south.  In a nutshell, the northern third of the trail is very woodsy, more isolated, less people, and has more of an "adventure" type feel.  The middle third of the trail is still quite woodsy but with a mix of rural and small town/city society, more people, and a mix of adventure and comfort.  The southern third is not as woodsy, but when it is woodsy it can surprise you, has lots of people and the trail atmosphere is more social, and it hardly feels like and adventure but more like a very long walk in a huge park.

Cesar's Guide to Bohusleden: Stages 2 and 1

---------- 

This post covers Stages 2 and 1, Skatås-Blåvattnerna, of the official guide to the trail.  This is the start/end point of Bohusleden in the south. 

You can also check out my report on the section before this one (hiking southbound), a double report on Stages 4 and 3.

These two stages are also a part of the E1 trail system.  At Skatås Stage 2 connects with the next E1 trail, Vildmarksleden, which goes east from Bohusleden to the small town of Hindås.

If you have not already read the introduction to this trail guide, you can check it out by clicking here.  It has a list of reports on other sections I have hiked plus other important/useful background information in general--so please read the introduction first before reading my reports.

----------

*  Another double report for two very similar sections of trail that weave around and through the city and suburbs.  The very end going south or the very beginning going north, there are some nice things about Stages 2 and 1, but overall both stages (especially Stage 1) I recommend you modify how you hike them--and perhaps skip portions, or maybe even most of Stage 1.  However if you are someone, say a hardcore thru-hiker, that wants to cover each and every part of the trail, I can also offer advice on how to do a more grand finish/start to the trail.

I'll cover the longer finish/start to Bohusleden first before moving on to the nuances of a slightly shorter--but what I would consider a better--version of backpacking this area.  After the beginning/end of the trail in Blåvattnerna, there is another trail: the Hallandsleden.  You can check out more information on this trail here.

Take the commuter train to Anneberg, which is south of Göteborg and north of the small city of Kungsbacka.  Then hike for about 3.5km east on the road Älvsåkersvägen, where you will intersect with Hallandsleden, and you can make a left and hike north for a few more kilometers to Bohusleden.  Or if you are hiking south and finishing Bohusleden, follow these directions in reverse to get to the train station.

Cesar's Guide to Buhusleden: Stages 4 and 3

---------- 

This post covers Stages 4 and 3, Jonsered-Kåsjön and Kåsjön-Skatås, of the official guide to the trail.

You can also check out my report on the section before this one (hiking southbound), Stage 5.

At Skatås the E1 trail (which follows the first part of Bohusleden) connects with the next trail going northbound, Vildmarksleden.  Both trails follow each other in Stage 3 and then separate shortly after Stage 4 begins (soon after you pass the power lines near a narrow lake--see picture below with caption).

If you have not already read the introduction to this trail guide, you can check it out by clicking here.  It has a list of reports on other sections I have hiked plus other important/useful background information in general--so please read the introduction first before reading my reports.

----------

*  These two stages are both fairly short at 9 and 8.5km, and have a lot in common such as the topography and general type of trail, so I decided to report on them together.  For being so close to the city--especially a big city like Göteborg--these two stages are surprisingly woodsy and quaint in many places.  As is the case with many of the stages in the southern half of Bohusleden, there are many people that you will pass and bump into on the trail.  The last four southern stages are definitely the most crowded, and not just with backpackers and campers.  Dozens of mountain bikers, trail runners, dog walkers, and people of all ages take advantage of the trails here--and Bohusleden is only one of several trails in the area as well.

My good friends Edit and Julia came with me on this section hike, and we were lucky with great weather and got to experience part of the peak of autumn colors.  We stuck to the official trail for all of Stage 4, but did some trail hopping in Stage 3 which made for a bit of a longer but lovely hike through a nature reserve.  We all agreed that Stage 4 has good hiking and sights, and I highly recommend that anyone going through Stage 3 do some extra exploring as we did.  These two stages both had me constantly taking my camera out, so on to lots of pictures.