My wife, Gerry, asked me today when I had launched lightbackpacking.com. I couldn’t recall. A little research, however, revealed I made my first “welcome” post on June 17, 2006 — two years and one month ago. During that time, I’ve had more than 30,000 visitors who logged 80,000+ page views. This year, the site is […]
I got a comment on my recent liquid bandaid post from the author of HikerHell.blogspot.com and went to his site to investigate. His site talks about mishaps and deaths involving hikers and backpackers with the idea of helping others avoid trail tragedies. Says Hiker Hell’s blogger:
As my friends and I stood and watched an unusual storm over the Pacific Ocean on June 20 — namely thunder and lightning on the California North Coast — we weren’t too concerned about it causing harm. Celebrating a friends birthday, we WERE amazed and surprised because it is so rare where we live. The […]
A must in every ultralight backpack is some form of first aid. I usually take duct tape (you can use to make a liquid in a 1.5 ounce and 2 3/4 inch high bottle (heavy compared with Bandaids) that you brush on: NEW SKIN LIQUID BANDAGE BOTTLE. In less than a minute the New Skin […]
I discovered a “green” spork (combination fork and knife) made of corn, totally biodegradable and about a half ounce. In our recent trip into the Granite Chief Wilderness, ultralight backpacking companion Wild Bill and I ate two breakfasts and two dinners with the corn sporks. They were sturdy and held up to heat and washing. […]
A few months back I wrote a review of Hydro Photo, Inc’s new SteriPEN Adventurer water purification system — innovative ultralight backpacking technology that uses ultraviolet light to give you a liter of virus and cryptosporium-free water with a single 2 1/2 - minute dose. My comments were based on my positive experience with earlier […]
The basic goal of ultralight backpacking is to go light, fast and far in total comfort with the least amount of effort … be one with the pack … Maximize your enjoyment and reduce the possibility of injury. Ray Jardine, the father of ultralight backpacking, assembled a pack under 10 pounds to comfortably trek the […]
I’ve reviewed plenty of gear and discussed lots of ways to reduce weight to help make each of you the ultimate ultralight backpacker.
At the same time, entering my 11th year of backpacking, I believe in having some extra comforts, which go against the austere philosophy of the take-no-prisoners ultra, ultralight backpackers, but make me […]
My regular readers know I’m a gearhound. And I’m always looking for the latest and greatest ultralight backpacking “thing” to include in my pack.
My latest find is the MiniTissue. Comes eight in a pack for $1 (1 ounce total weight). Individually wrapped like peppermint candies, you splash them with water making them instantly rehydrate, creating […]
As someone who loves gear and is always looking for the next greatest ultralight backpacking gizmo, I strongly recommend you consider the SteriPEN Adventurer.
This is Hydro-Photon, Inc’s newest iteration of its proven water purification system, which was first introduced in 2000. I own the first and second generation models, and if you look at an […]
