My 2-Week Lightweight Hiking Setup (for the Cape Wrath Trail), by Jack Brookes on YouTube. 12 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 12 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Lay out every item on the floor and sort it into groups: shelter, sleep, clothing, cooking, electronics and comfort. Remove anything you did not use on your last trip.
Weigh each group. Aim for a base weight you can carry comfortably, and swap heavy items like a freestanding tent for a trekking pole shelter if you want to cut grams.
Pack your sleeping bag or quilt and spare clothes in a waterproof dry bag and push it into the bottom of the rucksack. Keep the heaviest items close to your back.
Put your tent or shelter and stove near the top or in the middle, with fuel upright. Place your water filter and snacks in side or hip pockets so you can reach them without stopping.
Keep your rain jacket, warm layer and head torch at the top of the pack or in the lid. Weather changes fast on exposed trails, so you want these within seconds.
Store electronics like your power bank, satellite messenger and camera batteries in a dry bag. Charge everything the night before and test the messenger.
Fill water bottles or a filter flask last so the pack stays balanced. Check that the total weight sits evenly and the hip belt takes most of the load.
Do a short test walk with the loaded pack. Adjust the shoulder straps, sternum strap and hip belt, then repack anything that rubs or rattles.
Tips and common mistakes
Carry your satellite messenger or PLB on your body, not buried in the pack, so you can reach it in an emergency.
Line your rucksack with a large dry bag or pack liner before adding gear, since rain covers alone often leak.
Weigh your full pack before you leave and write the number down so you can compare it after the next trip.
Keep daily snacks in a hip pocket and never pack food next to your sleeping bag if animals are around.
Questions
How heavy should a lightweight pack be for a two-week hike?
Many lightweight hikers aim for a base weight under about 7 kg, not counting food and water. Your comfort level and budget matter more than a fixed number.
Do I need a satellite messenger on a long trail?
Phone signal is patchy on remote routes like the Cape Wrath Trail, so a satellite messenger or PLB adds a reliable way to call for help.
Where should the heaviest items go in a rucksack?
Put heavy items in the middle of the pack, close to your spine and just below shoulder height. This keeps your balance and takes load off your shoulders.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
