Great advice from KC and others on the hammock and tarp. I don't DIY those items so I can't help there.
However, there are a few of us UL/minimalist types on HF who can help lighten the rest of the load. For a good intro to all aspects of UL, take a look at Mike Clelland's videos on YouTube. His book, Ultralight Backpackin' Tips, also has some good ideas and reinforces the general philosophy around UL. You begin to understand that it's not so much about weight (although that's a huge side benefit ) as it is about simplifying and doing more with less stuff.
One hammock-related suggestion (for suspension) is to use a couple of 12-15' UHMWPE straps (Venom, Myerstech, Dutch spider) tied directly into hammock CLs with Becket hitch or J-Bend. The advantage of straps is that they can be used with more closely spaced trees where whoopies would be too long. Here is my entire suspension—2x 15' Venom straps with Evo loops—which weighs 2.05oz:
Venom_straps_compact_02.jpg
"Back in the day" I carried about 35 lbs of "stuff" for a simple overnighter; nowadays I carry less than 10 lbs and it is so much more fun. I have absolutely no dread of hills!
Pack_dump.jpg
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
Yes, my pack weighs 70lbs, but it's all light weight gear....
Bob's brother-in-law
Mines about the same! I think I dated it at 1960s. It's got an external motor and wheel, so I could hook it up to a treadle if I ever find one.
But it's just not great, not sure if it's age, or just generally a crap machine. Likes to double up on the bobbin thread and seize the whole operation!
You're not doing it right until everything you have is tyvek and thin, light crinkly plastic. Basically, act like a homeless person out in the woods
+1 on the simple strap and becket hitch suspension, simple and light and less bulky . I'm not a knot guy but this one is easy and worth it.
Also its usually the first thing mentioned in any article about going lighter but it bears repeating. Simply bring less stuff. It seems obvious enough but stare at your pile or list long enough and you'll see some stuff that you either can do without or could be pulling double duty.
Good luck on your quest.
...Tell me no lies, make me a happy man ...
Hm, I'm not sure it's worth it to forgo the Whoopie Slings and Marlin Spike Hitch.
The Whoopie slings give me easy adjust-ability for very little weight, where as the Becket Hitch or J-Bend relies on the length of the Straps, which for the UHMWPE is 5 grams per foot, where as Amsteel is 1.5 grams per foot.
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