Modifications  

I have posted in the past about some of the surgeries and other physical limitations that have caused us some issues when thinking about and executing a backpacking trip.

I wish we could say that we went totally ultra-lite (UL).  In the backpacking community, there are people that sacrifice some types of comfort for the comfort of less weight on your back.  You can hike many more miles in a day when you are carrying less weight and your body is much happier as well.  Those people are usually in their 20’s or early 30’s and with no physical issues.

Since we are not in either of those categories, we have made some modifications that are helping us continue to do what we love for as long as we can.  I still continue to weigh everything that goes in our packs and make sure that most items serve more than one purpose.  But these few things we have been using or added in recently to help out.  I have added some links to view these items through my Amazon Associates or through the product website.

Gannon:
Pack weight with food/water under 30 pounds.
UL sleeping cot
2 pillows (Thermarest/Nemo)
UL camp chair
UL Trekking Poles (Black Diamond)
A pack that might be a bit heavier, but is more comfortable on his back (Osprey  )

Holly:
Pack weight with food/water under 35 pounds
Hiking boots instead of trail runners for more toe support (Salomon 4D GTX)
UL Trekking Poles (Black Diamond)
UL air mattress (Neo Air XTherm)
Compression foot sleeves

Things we are thinking on switching to:

We have a UL tent (Big Agnes Copper Spur UL3), but thinking of going to one that is even lighter (Zpacks triplex).  I have to carry it now, so the lighter the better.
A UL quilt for Gannon (Enlightened Equipment)
New UL pack for Gannon (Gossamer gear/ULA Circuit?)
New Titanium cook set
New Titanium cups

Hiking Style:
Doing less miles in a day
More breaks in a day
Shorter Trips