Category: gear

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“stupid light” hiking

Andrew Skurka :

Ten- or fifteen-thousand miles ago I believed fervently that “light is right” and “lighter is better.” I proudly considered myself a “lightweight,” “ultralight” or “super ultralight” backpacker, and I believed that the weight of my pack was linearly correlated with the quality of my experience — the lighter my pack got, the better the hiking became.

But in my blind pursuit to shed weight, I made decisions that compromised my efficiency, thus negatively impacting my trips. In other words, in an effort to “go light” I ended up going “stupid light.” (Special thanks to Phil Barton and Pat Starich for sharing this expression with me.)

I went “stupid light” by:

Not taking gear and supplies that were necessary given the conditions, and …
Taking gear and supplies that were too light.

read more – “Stupid light”: Why light is not necessarily right, and why lighter is not necessarily better

glacier-np-campsite-615x408

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camping stoves compared

Chris Townsend was the first hiking guru I read.

He’s used dozens of different stoves in the wild, comparing them in a long opinion piece:

… lighting a stove. Some come with Piezo igniters – in my experience these break after a while. I’d never rely on just one type of lighter anyway. I always carry at least two – a fire steel and a lighter and/or matches. …

Choosing a stove is as much about choosing the fuel as choosing a burner. The availability of fuel, how long a given amount lasts and how well it works in different conditions are all factors to take into consideration. …

The main fuels are butane/propane, white gas (Coleman Fuel and similar), and methylated spirits (meths)/alcohol. Less commonly used are petrol/gasoline, paraffin/kerosene, diesel, solid fuel and wood. Some stoves are multi-fuel, which can be a big advantage. The heat output from butane/propane, white gas, petrol and paraffin is similar but meths/alcohol is much less powerful so more fuel has to be carried. …

STOVES FOR WILD CAMPING

Click through his advice.

Stoves-1

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Editors’ Choice Awards 2015: Jetboil MiniMo

I did a lousy job packing for 2 weeks in the Colorado Rockies. In fact, I accidentally left behind at home my beloved MSR Reactor stove. 😦

I made a stop at REI to purchase a second Reactor – but they were out of stock. The best alternative available was the MiniMo.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The MiniMo upends what we thought we knew about “personal cook systems,” the integrated stove/pot design that Jetboil pioneered in 2004. Like its predecessors, the MiniMo has lightning-fast boil times (it averaged 2 minutes and 21 seconds for 20 ounces at room temp in our controlled test) and efficient fuel consumption (expect about 9 liters of boiled water for a 3.5-ounce fuel canister). But, unlike all its predecessors, it can actually simmer …

Backpacker

I disliked my original Jetboil finding it dangerous. If something boiled over (as it often does) it was difficult to remove pot from flame. And your hand was scalded if you tried to turn off the flame.

But I have to admit, the MiniMo is a huge improvement. Almost as good as the Reactor.

It’s compact with many nifty features.

Outside’s Gear Guy reviewed it – What’s the Best Lightweight Backpacking Stove?

I wonder how long the auto-igniter will continue to work. Piezo ignition has problems above 8,000 feet.

It’s not easy to use a lighter on the MiniMo.

And it truly is lousy in the wind.

But as of now I’ll pack the MiniMo in preference to my old Reactor. Let’s see how long that lasts. 🙂

related – Adventure Tested: Jetboil MiniMo Backpacking Stove

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my hiking gear 2015

by besthike editor Rick McCharles

I’ve not changed my system much over the past 10yrs. Here’s how it works.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (Packing my pack. 2009)

That up-to-50litre pack (.54kg | 1lbs 3oz), a Granite Gear Virga, was named by the Gear Junkie in 2007 on the list of Greatest Gear of 5 Years.

Using a therm-a-rest as a backpack “frame” was first suggested to me by Kraig Becker, of The Adventure Blog and Gadling.

Granite Gear Virga backpack with Therm-a-Rest frame
Granite Gear Virga backpack with Therm-a-Rest frame

therm-a-rest

I’m just packing for the Sunshine Coast Trail starting next week. Five days minimum. Probably more. But with chances to resupply.

High Divide - 1 (1)

Sleeping system: MSR Hubba tent, down sleeping bag, silk sleeping bag liner, 3/4 length therm-a-rest, dry bag stuff sack “pillow”, headlamp.

Outdoor clothes: unlined long pants, wicking t-shirt, Gortex jacket, long brim baseball cap. Two pairs of long socks. Two pairs of quick dry underwear. Two bandanas. One Buff. Well tested approach shoes.

Camp clothes: Wool t-shirt. Fleece. Crocs. Tent socks.

Food: Large bear bag, spoon, stove, extra fuel canister. (Start with 5 days grub. Mostly coffee, candy, instant mashed potatoes, instant soup, tuna in a bag.)

Drink: Water bottle, 2 litre soft drink bottle, purification tablets.

Entertainment. Paperback, plenty of audio books on iPhone.

Photography. Camera, extra AA batteries, MacBook Air with power adapter.

Toiletries: Toilet paper, lighter, disinfectant gel, Camp Suds.

Personal items in hip pack: Cash, sun screen, note pad, pen, asperin, mini-toothpaste, mini-toothbrush, mobile phone, etc.

fanny-pack

related – my gear 2007 – besthike editor

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female hygiene: a backcountry guide

TrinityMen. You know nothing. 🙂

Forward this article by Trinity Ludwig to ladies in your hiking group. Trinity completed an 11-month 1,785-mile trek the length of South America. And knows what she’s talking about. 

Female hygiene: a backcountry guide and tips

 

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my hiking gear 2005

Oh my GOD.

I stumbled on to this old packing list from a hiking trip to South America in 2005. How embarrassing. Today I’d take less than half that stuff. And it would weigh about 1/3 as much. ____

For South America I am taking two packs (one 7 pounds, one 3.5 pounds) so I have options. To hike with the light pack I try to get down to 21 pounds plus food. When not hiking the light one is my day pack. Lightweight pack & accessories for hiking (optional items in red)

  • MSR Hubba 1-man tent
  • passport case, passport, birth certificate, yellow international certificate of vaccination
  • first-aid kit (Coghlan’s Trek II from MEC $15)
  • pack = Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude 3800 T-PEX (smoke blue) 3.5 pounds, US$200
  • pack rain cover = MEC large (no extra large available)
  • 3-4 stuff sacs (10-15 litre Seal Line kayak Kodiac Window with purge valves) for food and clothes
  • 2 small stuff sacs made of silicone injected nylon
  • small mesh stuff sacs
  • ziplocs bags of various sizes
  • clear large trash bags (strong bag with closure)
  • flashlight = Petzl Tikka
  • spare flashlight = Petzl Tikka & batteries
  • Camera = Kodak easyshare cx7300 with 256 meg card, extra batteries
  • fanny pack with Elura 60 camcorder, extra battery & tape
  • Rio Cali 1.256 Mb flash MP3 player, extra batteries
  • Swiss Army knife, Swiss Champ
  • Emergency money = US$50
  • 2 pair Dunham waffle stomper approach shoes & extra laces
  • down vest MEC Tremblant 575 large (compress to make a pillow)
  • 4 pairs of identical black socks (Wright Double Layer Running)
  • 1 pair underwear
  • 1 Speedo bathing suit
  • 1 pair MEC running shorts (double as underwear), … and/or new 2005 North Face Flight Trail Short
  • 1 Patagonia capelene t-shirt
  • 1 Nike dryfit t-shirt
  • 1 pair MEC quickdry pants, unlined nylon
  • 1 pair thin fleece pants
  • 1 MEC thin polartec check fleece long sleeve top
  • 1 light fleece vest
  • Marmot Precip Gore-Tex rain jacket C$100
  • Sugoi MicroFine Corsa bike jacket C$60
  • gloves, thin (C$18 Polartec power stretch MEC)
  • bandanas
  • ball cap for protection from the sun
  • Sunglasses
  • Fleece cap (or touque)
  • metal spoon
  • GSI 32 fl. oz. “boiler” pot and 20 fl. oz. mug pot (anodized aluminium)
  • 2 stoves, ultra lightweight
  • Dish wash bandana
  • Pot scrubbing “tuffy” pad
  • lighters
  • toilet paper, alcohol gel, lighter in ziplock bag
  • Sleeping Bag Mountain Hardware Phantom down +32F “blackberry” (regular size) US$200
  • Ultralight therm-a-rest = 1 pound, the lightest they make, three quarter length
  • Sea to Summit (Aussie) “Silk Traveller” sleeping bag liner with pillow insert (teal colour) US$60
  • Quixote pillow 550 fill goose down (fleece vest pillow instead)
  • Silva Tool 625 (compass, whistle, thermometer) US$10 and extra
  • wooden hand fishing reel, line & trout lures
  • Biodegradable laundry soap
  • tiny hotel shampoo bottles
  • Light weight nylon laundry line
  • Plastic clothes pegs
  • Katadyn water filter $180 & …
  • GSI H2O wide mouth 1 litre water bottle
  • plastic coke bottle (as second bottle)
  • water bag (10 litre)
  • Katadyn Micropur tablets for emergency water purificatioin
  • mini Toothbrush & small tubes of paste
  • small mirror (emergency reflector)
  • Dental floss
  • Lip balm with SPF 15+
  • Sun screen SPF 15+
  • Insect repellent with DEET (BEN’S 30%)
  • comb
  • Nail clippers
  • sunglasses
  • Note pad & pens
  • Paperback novel(s)
Navigation
  • Map
  • Wrist watch
  • Guide book (or photocopied pages)
  • (Compass)
Food
  • Earl Grey tea
  • Werthers hard candies
  • smarties or M & Ms
  • salt & pepper shaker
  • small containers for spices, etc.
  • new 2005 bear vault food cannister (2.5 pounds)

Main pack (North Face) left back at the hostel for storage with items not taken on the hike, including:

  • huge duffle bag with small combo lock
  • second combo lock for hostels
  • flashlight extra bulb, extra batteries
  • (KEEN sandals)
  • mini-gifts for kids
  • clothing to donate
  • electric razor
  • Repair kit
    • Tent repair kit
    • (Therm-A-Rest repair kit)
    • Parachute cord (replacement shoe laces)
    • Duct tape
    • (Sewing kit)
    • (Heavy-duty needles or awl & thread)
    • (Large locking safety pins)
    • (Rip-stop nylon patches)
    • (Rip-stop tape)
    • (Wire)
    • (Dental floss)
    • (Nylon twine)
    • (hose clamp, for splinting)
    • (spare buckles for pack)
    • etc
Carrying much of that stuff in the Colca Canyon, Peru
Carrying much of that stuff in the Colca Canyon, Peru
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Colorado hiking store wins makeover

I hiked Nepal a couple of years ago with Betsy and Brion After. They run Independence Run & Hike in Carbondale, Colorado.

Great news. Their store was chosen for a free makeover. 🙂

Click PLAY or watch it on Vimeo.

https://vimeo.com/126621763

I’m hoping to get out Carbondale for some hiking myself this summer.

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10 Backpacking Gear Myths

1. Two people can fit in a 2 person tent.
2. You’ll sleep warmer if you sleep naked in a sleeping bag.
3. You need to wear hiking boots to go backpacking.
4. You need a backpack rain cover to hike in the rain.
5. You need a tent footprint to protect the floor of your tent.
6. Waterproof breathable rain jackets are breathable.
7. You need a 4 season tent to camp in winter.
8. Biodegradable soap is ok to wash with in streams and ponds.
9. Waterproof hiking boots will keep your feet dry.
10. You don’t need to carry maps and a compass because you have a GPS.

Section Hiker

Yep. I agree with all 10.

I carry a 1-man 3-season tent. (Hubba). No pack cover. No footprint. No GPS.

I never sleep naked (in my 1-man tent). Wear approach shoes everywhere.

AND I’ve always called Gortex the “fabric of deceit”. 🙂

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get paid CDN$20,000 plus expenses to HIKE

Trans Canada Trail 6 days a week from May 12th to Sept. 30th, 2015.

Woods Canada:

We’re hiring 2 Woods™ explorers for the ultimate Canadian Dream Job!

You will be awarded a contract and be paid to explore the Trans Canada Trail and share your adventures while using the latest Woods™ gear! Apply as an individual, or as a pair. Submit a 60 second video and tell us why we should choose you.

Submissions are due by April 17, 2015!

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

details

(via MSN Money)