Tents / Tarps / Bivies
Ultralight Gear

Lightweight Backpacks
Sleeping Bags

Wilderness Survival
Hiking Adventures

Backpacking Tips
Survival Kits

Why Ultralight Backpacking?

With 15 pounds on your back you can bag that peak and descend by any route--no leaving a heavy backpack at the bottom. That's freedom. Hang your pack from one shoulder and go 20 miles without blisters. That's comfort. Lightweight, ultralight, or whatever you call it, it's the way to go. If you need some convincing, see this page: The Case for Ultralight Backpacking.

Become an Ultralight Backpacker - Start here if you're a traditional backpacker.
Super Ultralight Techniques - My page for extremists.
Hiking Adventures - Climbing glaciers, rafting, sand dune camping and more.
Light, Lighter, Lightest - Some lightweight gear options.
Wilderness Survival Guide - More than 60 pages and growing!
Edible Plants | Useful Plants - More than 50 pages!


New Pages - News - Tips

Which Backpacking Workout Routine? - May 20, 2012 - What's the best backpacking workout when you want to get prepared for those long hikes? Obviously there are differing opinions on this question, but we'll look at a few (including my... Continue reading here...

Two Basic Survival Strategies - April 23, 2012 - What do you do when you are lost in the woods or face some other type of wilderness emergency? There... Continue reading here...

Using an Emergency Cell Phone (excerpt from Ultralight Backpacking Secrets) - If you bring your cell phone with you into the wilderness, turn it off. This will conserve the batteries in case you need it in an emergency. In any case, it can ruin a trip if members of your party are in touch with the outside world.

Conditioning Tip - When you don't have time to hike regularly, stay in shape without overly stressing your knees, hips and back, by using ellipticals.


Newest Video: Bivy Camping (January 2012)

Subscribe to my YouTube channel here: Backpacking Videos


Pages

Which Backpacking Workout Routine? - A few ideas and my personal favorite.
Two Basic Survival Strategies - Should you stay or should you go?
The Best Backpack - When you want to go really light.
Cheap Gear - Covers the common items, with many good suggestions.
Ultralight Hiking Tips - Day trips and short backpacking trips without the weight.
Backpacking in Florida - A few ideas and one hike with elevation.
Travel Backpacks - Make them carry-on size for easy travel.
Light Hiking in Rainy Weather - How to do it safely.
Hiking in Colorado - Some tips and suggestions based on experience.
Wild Camping - Examples of this kind of rough adventure, and some tips.
10 Essentials for Hiking - My own take on what you need.
Lightweight Equipment - Update on all the latest lightest gear.
Best Socks for Hiking? - My thoughts on light socks for hikers and backpackers.
How to Make a Fire from Urine - Part of my collection of wilderness survival pages.
Luxury Supplies - Comfort and pleasure while keeping it light.
Fire from Urine - My report on the television show Dual Survival.
Altoids Survival Kit - See what I put in mine (a list and two photos).
Long Distance Day Hike - An alternative to backpacking.
High Altitude Brain Damage - The real dangers of altitude...
Three Vegetarian Backpacking Recipes - Easy and cheap.
Vegan Backpacking Food - Easier to find than you might think.
Ribz Frontpack Review - My experience using it on an overnight hike/climb.
Five Games for Backpackers - Including some that weigh nothing.
Wilderness Survival Shelters - Ten tips for wilderness emergencies.
The Cattail - The best of the wild edibles, and useful in other ways too.
Prevent Foot Blisters - Read this before that next long hike.
Unusual Outdoor Adventures - Fishing by hand, searching for lost mines...
Chimborazo: 20,600 Feet: 10 pounds!
Half-Ounce Backpacking Stove!
The Best Hiking Socks Are Dress Socks?
You Might Be an Ultralight Backpacker If...
My 5-Ounce Sleeping Bag
Jaguars Ripped My Flesh!
Make a 4-Ounce Insulated Vest
Down the River with an Umbrella
The Mountain Goat and I
Wilderness Survival Camping
Lightweight Gear
Backpacking with Children


I just finished reading your book and I gotta say...Wow! - Myron G

Buy my e-book here:
Ultralight Backpacking
Kindle version here:
Backpacking Secrets
Or get it free here:

Every chapter has tips for lightweight backpacking and wilderness survival.

I have found your book to have excellent advice on ultralight backpacking. I rank this information right up there with Ray Jardine as far as giving advice that is clear, and practical. - John G

Details: Steve Gillman's Book


I recommend...


More Pages:

Philosophy
Going Cheap
Lightweight Backpacker
Michigan
Medicine Bow Story
Backpacking Recipes
Backpacking Ideas
Sleeping Bag Ratings
Cheap Backpacks
Winter Backpacking
Edible Wild Berries
Carved Hiking Sticks
Clothes
Foods
Tarps
Bivy Sacks
Dirtbagging
Boots Versus Shoes
How to Make a Raft
Foot Care
Toothache
Survival Hunting
Moonlight Hiking
Cheapest Hiking Clothes
Lightweight Rainwear
Ultralight Sleeping Bag
3-Day List
5-Ounce Sleeping Bag
Sleeping Pads
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Avoid Altitude Sickness


Small Survival Kits

A first aid/survival kit in your pack or wet bag is a good idea. But what happens if you drop the pack while being chased by a bear, or it's swept away by a river you need to cross? Can you survive in the wilderness with just what you have on? It might be possible if you have a few basics in the pockets of your clothing. A knife and something for starting a fire (matches, lighter, magnesium firestick) are the most essential items, and it can help to have a few iodine tablets for purifying water too. A mirror for signaling rescuers might also save your life. Pack those pockets! Also, see my page on the...
Altoids Tin Survival Kit.

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