Sorry to hear from that Tess. I can empathize with your pain. My hips and knees are starting to fail. Besides strength training (which I need to start doing) and staying active, my answer is ultralight everything. This is especially true for backpacking or trips with a number of portages.

It seems you are on that path but when you mention really good boots and the best sleeping pad ever, I know you are making compromises. I get that too. The other compromise I bet you are making, is you bring dogs. Dogs bring along a lot of extra weight with them. Some things are necessary even with the extra weight.

Everyone I trip with knows I go very light. And I see others try to do it too, but stop with one or two major ultralight pieces of equipment. A canoe or a backpack. Or they pause at the price and feels it's not worth it. If it keeps you out there for a few more years, it's worth the price.

Look at everything! Your bear hang only needs to 2.5 mm rope (Dyneema). You don't need 5 roll top dry bags to compartmentalize your stuff. Put all your dry clothes, sleeping bag, air mattress in a big ultra Sil rolltop bag. You don't need a toiletries bag a zip lock will do, you don't need a filter, use tablets instead. Most people's cook kits are 2 to 3 times bigger than needed. Like wool socks? Use thin lightweight hiking socks. In fact every single piece of clothing you bring can be a third or half the weight if you take the time to layer better or think critically about it.

My biggest advice is to look at everything you bring, make as much as possible do double duty, cut things out, and cut absolutely every last thing down in size. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.

If none of this really works for you, trip with someone younger and get them to carry the big stuff!

Tess, I broke my back a while back and another option is to find a pain specialist. I have a weekly regimen if anesthetic injections that numb the nerves enough to allow the inflammation to subside, and to prevent overstimulation, and quarterly or bi-annual epidurals with a long - acting steroid, but I'm a worse case scenario with several crushed and severed nerves, 
Many people (especially athletes) only get the injections as required or before a big event to prevent the overstimulation and inflammation in the first place.
there are also a ton of other therapies available from TENS to acupuncture, to various types and strengths of medication, but you need a proper workup form a specialist to classify the type and intensity of your injuries, and what the causes and cures are...

I'm doing alright considering, I do a lot more base-camping and car tripping now because I've got some pretty serious weight restrictions, for instance I'm allowed over 40lbs "rarely" which mean once or twice daily, and "never" over 60lbs (which means avoid if possible). My biggest issue is with twisting which can put me flat on my back if I'm not careful, so I really have to be careful with my torso rotation.
the shots make all the difference in the world- about 90% of my pain is caused by severed nerves sending false signals. the long term anesthetic calms those nerves, which in turn helps my functionality and lowers inflammation, while the cortisone shots provide long term relief from swelling and inflammation around my spinal cord. without the injections and medications, walking 50' was virtually impossible. with them I've been able to hike 5k with a day pack..
My instructing days are over, but at least I still get out a few times a year, the biggest change is time, everything takes double or more, even putting in is far longer- I used to grab my pack and canoe and march them down to the water, then go back for the loose stuff (pfd's, fishing rod, ditch kit, paddles, etc. and lock up and go. Now each major item is a separate trip, and using a cane means I only have one empty hand available for loose stuff...
yeah. salt is a big no-no, as are many processed foods which can be high in sugars, salt and fats- just remember that you DO need some of each to stay hydrated and for energy, but it's a balancing act
I'm hoping that you've just got the normal age related issues and wear and tear problems. They can be at least partially remedied with the proper medications and some therapy work. It might be worthwhile to try for a few sessions with a Kinesiologist to learn your strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan to get the best life you can. Mine literally taught me how to walk again after my accident...
good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...

Last edited by scoutergriz (Yesterday 5:30 am)

Martin,

I have been obsessively looking at TarpTents for the past week! The one you have is no longer made but an upgrade becomes available end of July. Very cool tents! The tent I really really like is out of reach. But the single Rainbow is appealing and affordable. 916 grams all in and free standing. 

My big worry is buying from the States. I can find no one in Canada who stocks them. I worry about the import/custom fees etc. I need to do some more research. 

Thanks for the link too!
 

ShawnD might be able to chime in here, as he's bought from Terptent before.  If I recall correctly, he mentioned that with shipping, import fees, and the conversion back then, it turned a $600 USD tent into a 1000-1200 CAD tent.  If you're going to be using for multiple trips for a decade though, might be worth a try.

I really enjoyed using their Hogback tent, which is easily the lightest 4-person tent I can find on the market.  I've linked my review there, just to give an opinion regarding what that company's design philosophy is all about.  Big Agnes is a close second with the Copper Spur UL lines, but also expensive and a bit heavier with the freestanding gear.

Last edited by IanTendy (Today 6:53 am)

Crawling in and out of a tent and sleeping on the ground are things I won't do any longer. Having transitioned to a Warbonnet Ridgerunner about 10 years ago has been a great move. Hammock,  underquilt and tarp are between 3 & 4 lbs depending on the rating. No sleeping pad required. No rocks or uneven surfaces to manage. No hands and old knees to crawl on. Not to mention a better rest, for me.

MartinG wrote:

I've had a Tarptent Moment, Scarp and Stratospire. For me the stand out is the Moment. All of them were bought used through people on AA, Reddit or Facebook Marketplace. Even a new the Moment DW was something like $300 last time I looked.

If you were in the market for much more expensive Dyneema Tents, I wouldn't look at Tarptent. I would look at Durston. There are no duties on Durston tents. They are cheaper and some might argue better than Tarptent. Plus it's a Canadian company.
 

Wow Martin, those are terrific tents. 

I have been searching all the possible used tent forums, marketplaces, kijiji, etc.  Did you see a used Moment DW recently? I actually joined a TarpTent facebook page today. lol

There is an MEC Spark 1 for a good price in Innisfil but after looking into it I think it is too cramped. 

My daughter-in-law used to live in Durston and she just sent me the link today. I like them. 

Quite a rabbit hole I’ve gone down!

 

Last edited by tess (Today 1:37 pm)