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
backpacking, ultralight backpacking; whatever the name, it's
the way to go. Still not convinced? See The
Case for Ultralight Backpacking.
Light Hiking in Rainy Weather - There are times
when I travel heavy on a day hike, like when I filmed the video
you'll see below. Even when I don't have camera equipment to
carry, I might plan to explore a cave or some old mines, so I'll
need to carry a helmet, gloves, knee pads and extra lights. But
most of the time I prefer light hiking... Continue
reading here...
Snakebite Help - A recent issue of Science News
reported on a new salve developed by scientists in Australia
that could just save you life in you're out on the trail and
get bit by a venemous snake. According to the article,
Quickly applying a nitric oxide-producing ointment near
the bite site slows the spread of some venoms, including the
notorious eastern brown snake's, the researchers report online
June 26 in Nature Medicine.
This treatment might make all the difference between dying
on the road and getting to the hospital in time," says physician
and tropical medicine specialist David Warrell of the University
of Oxford, who was not involved with the study. Worldwide, snakebites
cause about 100,000 deaths and 400,000 limb amputations each
year.
A Good Trip Planning Formula - January 23, 2012 - A
trip planning formula: Take the hours of daylight you'll have,
subtract the time you'll spend in camp in the morning, subtract
the time for breaks and meals throughout the day, subtract the
time needed to set up camp, and finally subtract the the number
of hours needed to hike the miles you have planned. If the result
is a negative number, you need to change your plan (shorten the
miles). Also, have a couple hours extra in your plan for unexpected
things.
Backpacking 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.
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
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.
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
backpacking, ultralight backpacking; whatever the name, it's
the way to go. Still not convinced? See