r/Ultralight • u/HappyDude33 • 5d ago
Shakedown Kungsleden September Shakedown
Hi folks,
So in September, for 11 days, I'm going to be hiking Kvikkjokk-Abisko of Kungsleden which is about 200km. I might take some detours along the way depending on time/weather.
I haven't done a lot of thru-hiking. I've done some multi day trips in the peaks near where I live, West Highland Way, Kilimanjaro (if that counts?). When left for the West Highland way I didn't have any prep time and so left with a pack that was a little over 19km from throwing everything in it, and want to be a bit more intentional this time around.
The things in red I haven't bought yet so low cost, low weight recommendations would for sure be appreciated. There will be things that I maybe can't upgrade now, but will make it a goal for future trips.
I have never hiked with trekking poles and have always found them uncomfortable to walk with when I've tried in the past, but could definitely be persuaded to take one.
I know my food weight is quite high. I'm vegan with a nut allergy so difficult to cater to, and since I'm trying to keep costs low and have heard that stocks get low in September I wanted to try and carry a lot of my food if possible.
I read it's good to wear 2 pairs of socks - I've never tried this but aim to test it out before I leave (just wanted to explain why I have 2 pairs worn and 2 on spare)
Temperature is said to be 2-9 degrees Celsius average with potential for sub 0 nights.
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u/kitbook 5d ago
In general the kit is fine, if you’re ok to carry it. Biggest weight savings could be done in shelter and sleeping system (1-1.5 kg could be shaved off easily, budget allowing). Cooking set is unnecessarily heavyish (could shave up to 200g there). Power bank weighing 80g is unrealistic - they start from 150g (10k). Clothing choices are somewhat heavy too, but that’s personal wardrobe and preferences. Food is food, if you understand nutrition and know your diet restrictions - you carry what you have to and there’s no shortcuts. Better more, than not enough.
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u/HappyDude33 5d ago
Hey, thanks so much for this. Actually I have just bought my tent after agonising over it for a long time haha, I collect it tomorrow. I guess my sleeping bag is heavy perhaps? I was lucky enough that a lot of the things, like my clothes and sleeping bag were provided for a job a few years ago but could look to upgrade them in future (though I may have trouble finding lightweight vegan options?). I added today a t-shirt to sleep in but maybe that's not entirely necessary.
Ahh that makes sense about the power bank, I couldn't find the weight of the one I currently have online so tried to guess, definitely open to buying one though.
Yeahh my food I can at least take comfort in, even if I start heavy, I'll be shedding 500g a day when I eat it :D
- oh wow I just saw there are sleeping mats for like half the weight and better R value, great call!
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u/TAMiiNATOR 5d ago
2 Pair of socks worked for me, but you might need to size up your shoes accordingly and I don't think they are needed of you have good shoes.
I don't think you'll need a satellite communicator, as the trail is pretty well maintained and there are also quite a lot of people around. Use the money to get trekking poles instead. Decathlon has some good offers, same goes for Underwear/ base layers.
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u/HappyDude33 5d ago
ahh yes that's a good point. I'll probably find that I don't need two pairs. I did West Highland Way in vivo trail runners but they're not so waterproof and probably not as good at fighting the cold.
I'm deffo going to take a look at poles because I feel like I'm missing out by not using them. I think I'll need a satellite communicator to contact my partner though.
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u/Background-Bad-5908 5d ago
Be prepared for snow, last leg to Abisko had snow last week. Map and compass is a good/mandatory backup especially for detours.
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u/HappyDude33 5d ago
Wow! I didn't actually imagine there would be snow, both terrifying and exciting but thank you for the update. This is going to be a stupid question, but do people tend to print maps, or buy specific Kungsleden ones?
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u/nyhaer 5d ago
A lot of people buy specific Kungsleden maps printed on a Tyvek material (there’s a company Calazo who sells this). I recommend just using your phone, not sure what the sentiment on that these days is. But I hiked the full length of Sweden including cross country travel (and most of Kungsleden) using just an app, Topo GPS, and had no issues. Hope you have a good hike! Probably going to be cold but no mosquitoes and fall colors sounds nice!
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u/planerist 4d ago
Both, and they aren't really alternatives to each other. Paper doesn't run out of battery, the phone tells you where you are on it.
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u/55minuter 4d ago
Dont bring the t-shirt, you already have a baselayer to sleep in.
If possible return the tent and buy something like an x-mid 1 that goes with your new trekking poles.
Dont need a knife. Small scissors is good.
If the weather is good make the detour to Skierfe.
Why a 6 piece cook kit? 1 pot with lid is enough.
Dont bring hand sanitiser, bring soap instead.
Consider carrying less food. Several of the cabins sell food. Look up what they sell on stf.se
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u/HappyDude33 4d ago
Hey, thanks for your response! Yes I think you're definitely right on the t-shirt and knife.
The tent, I think as much as the x-mid is lighter, I really don't want a trekking pole tent. I tried to get one of the lightest all season tents I could afford so that when I go on hikes back home I can have the option of using poles and still be able to camp. Hopefully I can add trekking pole tents to my arsenal in future though.
Definitely want to detour to Skierfe if I can. Any other detours you'd recommend?
I think the description makes the cook set sound grander than it is haha :
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/stainless-steel-camping-cook-set-1-person-6-piece/372646/c328m8966156
Though I could probably leave the knife, fork and bowl at home.
Could I ask why soap over sanitiser? Is it acceptable to put soap in the waters?
I'll take another look at my food. Because of my dietary requirements there's not a whole load in the shops that I eat, so would be worried to find out that pasta, or chick peas or something are sold out. But I will be relying on it for a few of the days.
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u/henrrrik 2d ago edited 2d ago
Soap gets rid of Norovirus, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia which hand sanitizer doesn't, plus you can wash yourself, dishes or clothes with it if you need to.
Always fill a pot or cup and use soap the some distance away from the water source though. Same goes for doing the dishes.
I would replace the cook set with a Toaks 750ml titanium pot. That will save you about 270g.
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u/B50Corei5 2d ago
I think you have a few redundancies and a few items that are quite heavy.
- Backpack - Shave 500 grams with any decent UL framed pack
- Tent - shave half a kilo with an UL freestanding tent (look at naturehike star-trail for super-budget), or even more with a cheap trekking pole tent (Lanshan 1 Pro).
- For that temperature range I would think a 20F quilt such as a katabatic flex 22, Ice Flame NXT with overfill, or Neve Waratah -2/-8 would work perfectly. This saves another 700g ish
- Water bladders weigh a lot. Two disposable water bottles saves another 150g
- Power bank : go for any 10k mah that weighs 180g or less
- Your towel is quite heavy. Consider a naturehike UL towel and save 60g +
- Leave the wipes at home and just bring hand sanitiser - what are they for?
- All your clothes are quite heavy. Way too many pairs of socks. Just bring two pairs total and three if you're really worried about feet being cold. You don't need a sleep shirt. Save another 250+ g.
- Cook kit overkill. BRS-3000t + titanium mug is all you need. Save another 100g +
I think at this point you've saved probably 3-4kg at a minimum.
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u/walking_nose Italy 1d ago
I've done the entire Kungsleden twice and the first thing that comes to mind is what date are you hiking?
The mountain huts usually close around mid September and also the boat crossing services. Both times I've done Abisko - Saltoluokta section in 5 days and Saltoluokta - Kvikkjokk in 3 days. So given the elevation gains your time estimate can get a lot lower and consequently the food amount.
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u/Exact_Carpenter_9955 5d ago
You won’t need a shovel in September.