But Brian Robinson, a 41-year-old from San Jose, Calif., wasn't satisfied with just that one journey. In 2001, Robinson became the first person to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and the country's two other 2,000-mile-plus trails -- the Appalachian and the Continental Divide -- in a single year.

His secret? Intense training, months of preparation, a 6,000-calories-a-day diet, and, perhaps most crucial, a near-religious commitment to ultra-light backpacking.

Full of gear, Robinson's backpack weighed less than 15 pounds for much of the trip. By trimming everything but the bare essentials, he was able to cover more ground -- up to 40 miles a day -- and reduce strain on his body. Making the day-in day-out hiking more enjoyable also was a big benefit.

How did he live in the wilderness for months on end with so little gear? Frequent food pickups were key (he re-supplied every few days in towns). Some suffering was necessary (no camp-chairs or cushy sleeping pads). And, most key, Robinson was extremely creative and efficient with his equipment.

"Gear used for more than one thing allowed me to cut weight all around," Robinson said. He cited his rain-tarp as an example: The 9.5 ounce nylon tarp served as a raincoat during storms and as his nightly shelter. This let him leave both a tent and raincoat behind. Similarly, the trekking poles he relied on all day while walking also were used to prop the tarp-shelter up at night (instead of tent poles). "Making the 30-plus-mile days, and finishing the trip in general, really boiled down to this kind of efficiency," he said.

[subhead] A growing trend
While ultra-light techniques have enabled elite athletes like Robinson to break records, the movement has been just as influential with recreational hikers.

"Simply put, you'll be staring less at your feet and more at the scenery," says Mark Jenkins, a columnist for Outside magazine and an ultra-light backpacking devotee. The primary reason to go light, says Jenkins, is to increase the enjoyment of the trip. "Human beings are terrible beasts of burden -- we have little in common with yaks and camels -- so the best strategy is to lighten your load."

A skimmed load may allow you to tack on a few more miles during a weekend getaway. It may prevent injury or a sore back. But, for the average outdoor enthusiast, the No. 1 advantage to going light will be the time you gain to enjoy the trip.

Even cutting a few pounds can speed your pace so you'll arrive at camp earlier in the day. And because of the lighter load, you'll have more energy to look around, smell the flowers or take a swim. Plus, with less gear, you'll be spending a lot less time organizing, packing and re-packing to fit it all in.

[subhead] Going light defined
So where do you begin cutting pounds from the pack? Dennis Lewon, Backpacker magazine's equipment editor, says there are two primary steps:

1. Go through your gear and take out all but the essentials. Hammocks, binoculars, pillows, large cameras, Leatherman tools, and many other common items are not necessary. Yes, you'll be leaving some luxuries behind, but the gains should be worth it.

2. After weeding the unnecessary gear, replace heavy essentials with lighter versions. For example, that 1.5 pound white-gas stove could easily be switched out for a featherweight butane burner like MSR's 3-ounce Pocket Rocket. A halogen headlamp replaced by a tiny LED model will save several ounces. Or consider leaving the Gore-Tex shell behind and instead packing a simple waterproof nylon jacket. The ounces you save will quickly turn into pounds when you make cuts throughout the entire load.

"Just being logical about not bringing excessive gear will cut weight substantially," Lewon says. "And if you can afford it, getting lighter gear will let you trim the pack down to 20 pounds or less for multi-day trips."

The lightest backpackers cook and eat out of the same pot -- bowls are unnecessary. They carry tiny digital cameras instead of large SLRs. They use tarps instead of tents, and tote paperback novels instead of bulky hardbacks. Some even cut their toothbrushes in half.

Clothing is a big obstacle for many novices, as bringing fresh T shirts and undies to change into every day or two quickly bulks the load. Outside magazine's Jenkins scoffs at this notion.

"You don't change clothes in the wilderness," he says. "You're out there living like an animal and you're going to stink like an animal."

Jenkins suggests wearing polypropylene long johns on the legs with nylon shorts and a polyester shirt on top. Throw in a light waterproof jacket and a fleece top and you'll be set for a wide temperature range. Don't even think about Levi's, Jenkins says. And if you're going light, leave the heavy hiking boots behind. Running shoes, or even sandals for some, are enough when the pack is less than 30 pounds.

[subhead] The big three
Of all the items you take on the trail, your shelter, sleeping bag and backpack are the heaviest. Look at these products first to cut weight all around.

Most major outdoor-gear manufacturers have jumped on the ultra-light train and have product lines devoted specifically to the sport. Granite Gear's new Virga backpack, for example, weighs just 1.25 pounds but carries loads to 30 or 35 pounds comfortably. Go Lite, Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardware, Kelty, Gregory and several other pack companies also have excellent designs.

For sleeping bags, weather patterns and season will be the biggest factor. If you're going on a summer trek, don't bring a 20-degree bag; a 50-degree bag could literally save a couple pounds. Go with down fill if possible, as it's lighter than synthetics.

Tents are nice, but they also tend to weigh at least four or five pounds. Brian Robinson, and many other ultra-lighters, have ditched tents for waterproof nylon tarps, which usually weigh less than a pound. Just don't forget mosquito netting if there's any bug threat, and skip the tarp idea altogether if you're on the Olympic Peninsula or any other famously waterlogged locale.

The only other major items for most trekkers will be food and water. While these are obviously essential, there are a few tricks to skim weight. Packages of dehydrated camp food, for example, are made to be light and turn into entire meals just by adding water. Avoid canned items, as you'll be carrying extra water weight. And make sure the food you're bringing doesn't require too much time on the stove, otherwise you'll be stuck carrying a lot of fuel.

For water, bring a filter or purification tablets. Make a point not to carry extra water if there are guaranteed sources along the way.

[subhead] When not to go light
Backpacker magazine's Lewon is the first to admit that going light is not always the best alternative.

"I'll still carry a 60-pound pack on some trips," he says. "When I want all the luxuries, weight isn't the main concern."

Some people like to have espresso in the High Sierras. Some need four camera lenses to capture the trip just right. Others like to sleep very warm and very well.

Ultra-light backpacking only makes sense if cutting weight is really a necessity. A 40-pound pack for a ten-mile-a-day trip shouldn't be a big deal for a seasoned hiker. But if that same person wants to hit 15 or 20 miles in a day, or tackle more difficult terrain, getting the pack to 30 pounds or less will be a huge advantage.

Says Jenkins: "Go light, but don't skimp too much on the comfort. You're out there to enjoy the wilderness, and for most people the primary benefit of ultra-light should be a more pleasurable trip."