"I’d rather eat something sweet on my outdoor adventures than insects"

Siri Schubert

30-9-2024

Translation: machine translated

Pictures: Stephan Lütolf

Life’s full of contradictions. My rucksack too. Why that’s no coincidence, rather the result of almost obsessive planning, is explained in part two of «You call that a hobby?!

It’s always been a basic need of mine to be outdoors. Training as an outdoor guide ignited my passion even further. Spending several days in the forest, by the river or in the snowy mountains, carrying everything I needed on my back, was pure inspiration.

In the evening, around the fire, the conversation inevitably turned to equipment and why it should be light. One of the participants, an experienced long-distance hiker, only carried a small daypack. I listened to his every word. After all, every gramme counts when going uphill, and the more I save, the more carefree, happier and to a certain extent (!) safer I am on the go.

Less is more when it comes to clothing

Obviously, there’s a lot to consider if you want lighter luggage and it always depends on the circumstances. Trail running shoes save weight, but are almost certainly the wrong footwear for a high-altitude trip. I love them for moderate hikes.

Shorts instead of hiking trousers? Clever. As long as the trekking route leads through predictably mild temperature zones. You can save a few grammes, for example with the Mammut-Aenergie-Light shorts which weigh 134 grammes.

I pack a trail running jacket against rain and wind, which at 125 grammes keeps me largely dry. And a Black Diamond down jacket at just 138 grammes for when it’s cold.

The minimalist bedroom

Is it a sin to have a pillow? Purists would insist so. After all, you can rest your head on a jacket. I ignore this unwritten rule and take a very light, inflatable cushion with me. That’s another 77 grammes on my shoulders.

The towel is an easy win in terms of weight. At 75 grammes, it’s so light there’s no reason for me not to take it with me. There’s always something that needs drying or wiping off.

The chopped toothbrush

Yes, it’s a cliché. I admit I can’t quite resist the appeal of a toothbrush with a shortened handle. After all, this is like the ultimate proof you’re a light hiker. But I cheat a bit here because I’m not doing any chopping or sawing myself. I pack a bamboo toothbrush head instead. One which is normally intended for an electric toothbrush.

One of the most important items I pack is a water filter. Of course, that’s only when I’m sure there’s actually drinkable water on the way. On other occasions I use a lightweight aluminium and titanium cooking set.

Joy over pure survival

For me it’s about the experience, not survival. It can be a bit uncomfortable, that’s part of the adventure, but overall I don’t want to push my limits, I want to enjoy the outdoors. And laugh out loud at least once a day, even if it’s because every time I look in my rucksack I realise the absurdity of its contents.

A look into the shallows

The truth is, outdoors, I prefer to eat sweets instead of insects. Treats definitely aren’t a must. But they sweeten the adventure for me and remind me of the scout camps from my childhood, where everyone – more or less secretly – had sweets with them. Nowadays, sweets sometimes help my nerves, are sometimes a reward after an exhausting stage and then serve again as a quick energy boost when things get physically strenuous.

When it comes to my sleep arrangement, I’m not restricting weight either. The Grüezi-Bag sleeping bag with a wool/down mix keeps me cosy warm, so I don’t want to give it up in favour of a weight-saving model.

In the meantime, I’ve also moved away from the lightest model of mat, which I had to patch several times because the thin outer shell had holes in it. Now I can have more insulation and also more weight, because a good night’s sleep is important to me.

And of course, I can’t forget my coffee. Instead of simply pouring water onto the ground coffee and sipping the liquid over the coffee grounds from the lightweight titanium pot, I have a thermo mug and French press system with me. That weighs around 300 grammes.

Regardless of what I pack, good planning, sensible consideration and a bit of risk awareness are always essentials on my hike – and these things weigh nothing.

Want an insight into my backpack? I’ve listed my favourite products for enjoyable outdoor experiences below.

Backpack and bedroom:

How to make your bed:

The style:

The dining room and bathroom:

And the treats:

What unnecessary or absurd things are in your hiking kit? Let me know in the comments.

In the series «You call that a hobby?!», together with cartoonist Stephan Lütolf, we show the absurdity of our passions.

Siri Schubert

Senior Editor

Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.ch

Research diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.

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