I wanted to comment on your list of lightweight gear.
The Critter Mountain Wear Sky Trek is the only backpack I'm aware of that is designed from the start to work properly for hiking with your flying gear. Most paragliding packs have evolved from the simple bags the manufacturers have used from the late '80's.
In order for a backpack to function properly it needs to do three things:
#1 Remove the weight from the shoulders.
#2 Transfer the weight to the hips efficiently.
#3 Stabilize the weight against the back.
The majority of pg packs have achieved #3 yet fail with the other two points. Without a means of supporting the weight of our gear, all the weight is carried on our shoulders. While a fairly fit person can compensate for this by stiffening their back, this only works for about 30 to 40 minutes before the back muscles revolt. As you mention, his situation is complicated by the mass of our gliders and harnesses. The farther the weight is removed from the center of gravity, the more we have to compensate for this by leaning forward. This is not only a function of how narrow a pack is but also the depth and overall shape.
If you examine a pack from such companies as Dana Designs, Lowe, Osprey, etc., the packs have a rigid stay and frame and a well designed hip belt which are the key components in solving the problem of getting the weight onto the hips. All of these packs are designed to carry between 20 and 100 lbs. (argh!) comfortably.
Most pg packs use 1-2" webbing and a maximum of 1/2" foam for the hip belt. Most other packs use 2-3" webbing and 1" foam. I've seen some hip belts that are larger alone than a pg pack rolled up. However, if the hip belt is to large, the wrong size or incorrectly designed, it can encumber the person wearing it. The pack body itself must be designed properly also.
If you take a typical pg pack and put 50 lbs. in it and do the same with a regular backpack, there is a HUGE difference. This is only possible because the frame and hip belt of a regular backpack work together in putting the weight where it belongs. Yes, how a backpack is packed will make a difference. However, the real advantage is the design of the pack, frame and waist belt.
A couple of other features that packs for backpacking and climbing have are multiple suspension adjustment points, a method of venting the back panel and a more contoured shape. The suspension points include dual shoulder strap adjustments, load lifters, a sternum strap and hip belt stabilizers. An extra bonus is an adjustable hip belt to accommodate different size torso lengths.
What makes the Sky Trek different is that it incorporates almost all the same concepts as a good backpack: a rigid frame, an articulated hip belt and multiple suspension adjustment points. The dilemma of storing the frame is solved by having it removable from the remainder of the pack. You can read more at www.crittermtnwear.com or refer to the March/April 1999 issue of Paragliding Magazine.
With clothing, you can minimize the weight and increase the versatility by using a layering system. While this has been another mild winter, it is not uncommon for the Gunnison Valley to be one of the coldest places in the lower U.S. Most of the lessons I've learned on how to stay warm (and dry) from the winter time also apply to hiking and flying year round.
For a base layer or next to skin layer, some of the new fibers such as CoolMax, Capilene, DryFlo and WickAway work great. Not only do these materials wick or pull moisture away from your skin, they are also comfortable through a wide temperature range. I don't think this area of fabric technology receives enough attention and most people still hike in a cotton T-shirt.
A lightweight microfleece sweater and pants when combined with a windblocker fleece vest and down or synthetic parka will cover the biggest range of temperatures and conditions. The key is not to overdress, overheat and then become chilled from your own body moisture. It is important to be able to anticipate how much energy will be used and dress accordingly.
Dryskin from Schoeller Textil (Switzerland) is a performance fabric that offers an alternative to fleece. The material insulates, wicks and is more windproof than others. However, it is also much more expensive.
There are a number of lightweight, waterproof, windproof and breathable shells on the market now from Patagonia, Lowe, Mountain Hardwear and Moonstone. (They maybe competitors of mine but they still make really good products). A separate jacket and pants offer more versatility than a one-piece suit without much difference in weight. Some of the products are made with microfiber materials and are less expensive than their coated or laminated counterparts. Just make sure that the shells are large enough to go over all the other layers without being to restrictive.
I round this off with a fleece hat that I can wear under my helmet and warm gloves. My clothing weighs less than four pounds and packs into a small stuff sack the size of a loaf of bread.
There is a viable option to carrying a sleeping bag or deciding to go without one: use a half bag or what some climbers call an elephants trunk together with a thick parka. Integral Designs (Canada) is the only company I know of that makes one commercially. Moontone also makes a very lightweight sleeping bag for people 5'9" and under. These bags weigh about a pound and a half.
Weight
By using a Thin Red Line harness, my entire hike and fly gear weighs less than forty five pounds not including food and water. This includes all the gear I need for camping without cutting any corners on flying safety. Considering my regular harness and gear weigh almost the same, this is pretty good. The March and September issues of Backpacker Magazine usually include a directory for gear including sources, weights, prices and other options.
Blue skies,
Richard Kocurek