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Ultralight Backpacking: Core Principles & Philosophy (Video)
Ultralight Backpacking: Core Principles is a 13-minute video screencast presentation that provides a critical foundation for efficiently becoming a skilled ultralight backpacker. The core principles presented herein should be considered wherever you are in your journey on lightening up, and are as applicable to me even today, after decades of "working on my pack weight", as they were to me more than 25 years ago when I started this journey.
Backpacking Light 101 (Curated Collection)
We’ve hand picked these pieces to give you a solid foundation of what we think are important pieces to the vast mosaic of lightweight backpacking information. We hope you find these articles to be valuable on your road to traveling lighter in the backcountry.
How to Minimize Your Prep for Short Trips
Limiting the number of decisions, and keeping all your gear in one area are the major steps to simplifying your short backpacking trips.
The 60-Second Backpacker: Episode 2, Leave the Kitchen Sink at Home
The 60-Second Backpacker is a video series that provides bite-sized shorts about equipment, techniques, and philosophy of ultralight backpacking.
Microadventures: Breaking Down the Barriers of Visiting a Wild Place
Microadventures are exactly that - tiny little trips with minimal fuss, minimal gear, and maximum bang for the buck.
The 60-Second Backpacker, Episode No. 1: Weigh Your Stuff
The 60-Second Backpacker is a video series that provides bite-sized shorts about equipment, techniques, and philosophy of ultralight backpacking.
Five Lessons from the John Muir Trail
These lessons are aimed at beginners and are based on experiences while hiking the JMT. They are adaptable to any hiking setting and can certainly make the trip more enjoyable.
Hiking Clothing Guide: An Overview of Ultralight Layering Systems
Keys to layering clothing for outdoor activity - keep it simple, light, and functional. This hiking clothing guide shows you how.
Amateur Backpacking Videography
Videography with an emphasis on the pursuit of the "perfect" shot and the ensuing editing can be time consuming, daunting, and distract from your trip. The author presents tactics to make it easier and record your adventures.
Negotiating the Permit System: Six Western US National Parks
Our National Parks are awe-inspiring places of beauty. Often the backcountry permitting can be a challenge. Don't let that stop you. Here are some tips to face the process with ease.
Can I Cook in my Tent?
Cooking in a tent has revolved around a stigma of gear destruction and personal harm. Cooking in a tent is not that dangerous and being responsible and aware of the hazards allows for safe cooking in a tent.
Lightweight Mealtime Routines for Group Cooking
Simplifying the process of planning, preparing, and cooking for groups in the wild.
The Updated Foot-Care Kit
While moleskin still is an effective means to treating hot spots and blisters, new technology is emerging that is far more effective at treating sore feet.
Technical Canyoneering for the Ultralight Backpacker
Canyoneering is challenging as it offers an opportunity to tackle a variety of terrain using new gear. Combining canyoneering with backpacking is a recipe for a legendary trip.
Still My Favorite Cook Kit
An Esbit cook system is very lightweight, fuel efficient, and ideal for warm-weather, solo cooking.
Training for Backpacking
Training for backpacking (a fun activity) need not be complicated or painful. Get in a routine and make each session count. Your long trips will thank you.
The Care and Feeding of Lindal Valves
Lindal valves are what makes your stove work (or not work). Their proper care can keep your stove running for years.
Learning to Packraft: Ten First Steps for Backcountry Travelers
This article identifies the first steps on a path to packrafting competence for those specifically interested in actually carrying their raft on their back into remote environments!
Overboots as Mukluks: Basecamp Footwear for Ski Mountaineers
Hardshell double boots, common amongst ski mountaineers using modern alpine touring or telemark equipment, make for miserable discomfort during extended stays in camp. Adding a pair of thin neoprene overboots at less than a pound allows one to kick off the plastics and enjoy basecamp slippers while keeping feet warm and dry in the coldest weather.
Lightweight Stove Systems for Group Cooking Part 3: Performance of Inverted Canister and White Gas Stoves For Boiling Water and Melting Snow at Subzero (F) Temperatures
A series of tests exploring the winter performance of inverted canister and integrated canister stove systems for large water volumes and snow melting.
