Articles (2020)

Andrew Skurka Completes Wind River High Route

A “high route” is generally defined as an off-trail, above-the-treeline trek that traverses a range of peaks. And this summer, Andrew Skurka completed a doozy of a high route in Wyoming’s Wind River range – 100 miles and 60,000 feet of elevation gain.

Andrew Skurka on the Wind River High Route
Andrew Skurka at Downs Mountain, nearing completion of a 100-mile Wind River high route.

Wind River High Route: 100 Miles, 60k of Elevation

A “high route” is generally defined as an off-trail, above-the-treeline trek that traverses a range of peaks. And this summer, Andrew Skurka completed a doozy of a high route in Wyoming’s Wind River range.

This is a particularly interesting story for me because high routes are my own passion when it comes to wilderness travel styles, and I’ve completed a handful of high routes of varying lengths in the Winds.

Lots of attention has been given to “high routes” through the years – and for good reason: they take you above the treeline (so they’re scenic), they take you off trail (so they’re remote and offer solitude), and ‘there’s no markers, blazes, or signs (so they offer navigational challenges).

Some of the classic high routes, of course, include Roper’s (High Sierra, CA) and Petzoldt’s (Tetons, WY). You can now add, perhaps, Skurka’s (Wind Rivers, WY) to the list.

He recently pieced together a beautiful route that captures the essence of what a high route is all about. It is, of course, “yet another Wind River high route”. High routes have been “invented” in the Winds since the 1960s. But Skurka takes it to a new level, and his high route is the real deal.

He writes:

The world-class Wind River High Route is a 100-mile backpacking route through Wyoming’s Wind River Range. It is bookended with two 13,000-foot peaks, features 60 miles of off-trail travel, hovers usually between 10,000-12,000 feet, and never crosses a road. It is best completed as a continuous point-to-point thru-hike, but it can also be section-hiked via shorter loop routes.

Andrew hiked it in 4.5 days. That’s quite a clip for a hundred miles and 60k of vert through talus and tundra and passes and ridges, but us mere mortals should still be able to enjoy the route in a pair of joggers and carry a pretty light pack.

Read more at Andrew’s blog.

 

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.

Access to the entire content of some of the articles below may require a Premium or Unlimited Membership.

Start Here

Gear Lists

Watch The 60-Second Backpacker, Episode 1: Weigh Your Stuff

Next, watch Episode 2, Leave the Kitchen Sink at Home

State of the Market Reports

Research & Technology Reports

Techniques

Places

Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 26

In This Month’s News: Woman Plans 5-Year Trek Across the Americas; Man and Woman Meet and Marry on the PCT; UL Sleeping Bag and Quilt Comparison Table; Ingredients for Planning an Expedition; Beginner Tenkara Tips; and much more!

Top Stories

Woman Plans Five Year Trek Walking the Americas

Bethany Hughes who already has completed the Pacific Crest Trail is planning a 20,000-mile (yep you read that right!) trek from Ushuaia, Argentina to Barrow, Alaska. Her trip will begin in December and Hughes plans to take her time along the way stopping in local villages and inspiring others to pursue their goals. Expecting to face hardships along the way including wildlife, winter in the Andes, scorching jungles, and high mountain passes, she is most concerned about the people she might face as she crosses through dangerous countries in South and Central America. To mitigate these risks she has learned martial arts and has taken wilderness survival courses. Her trip is expected to take five years and she has lined up some friends to keep her company on various sections as she journeys northward.

  • Read the full report on Hughe’s plan to walk the length of two continents from Deseret News.

Sunset on the Trail

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Author Writes Book on Her Pacific Crest Trail Transformation

Aspen Matis has faced incredible hardship in her life. She grew up with overbearing parents and during her freshman year in college she was raped. For a time, Matis stuffed these emotions inside until she reached a breaking point. Turning this frustration into something constructive, she left her hometown in Massachusetts and struck out on the PCT which she had section hiked previously. Her decision to do this came out of a love of hiking and the outdoors from her childhood, and a desire to face the hardships that had infiltrated her life. Each day was a challenge and a risk as she embarked without proper clothing or adequate gear, but with each step on the trail she felt more empowered and began to let go of her weaknesses and shame. After completing her trek, she enrolled in a writing program at The New School in NYC where she met her mentor, Susan Shapiro. Later, she completed her book, “Girl in the Woods” which she dedicated to Shapiro. Matis plans on donating $1,000,000 and 5% of the proceeds from her book to RAINN, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

  • Read the full report on Matis’s incredible journey from The Villager.

Beginner Trail in Zion

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REI Skips Black Friday Mayhem With #OptOutside

At the end of October, REI announced all their stores will be closing for Black Friday. This big announcement has rippled through the outdoor industry with Outdoor Research following suit and REI’s decision has garnered praise from many of its customers. The financial loss from this decision will be significant as Black Friday is one of the busiest days of shopping each year and REI will pay all 12,000 of its employees for work that day even though no one will clock in. REI insists that it is not focussed on the dollars and cents and instead has shifted its priorities to getting people outdoors and rewarding employees by giving some of them a four-day weekend to spend time with their families.

  • Read the interview with Ben Steele, Chief Creative Officer for REI, about this shift and the #OptOutside Campaign from Gear Junkie.
  • Watch the video below to see an interview with REI CEO Jerry Stritzke on Good Morning America.

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REVITALIZED BACKPACKING ROUTE REOPENS IN WILD ROGUE WILDERNESS IN OREGON – The Statesman Journal reports on a 25-mile, refurbished trail known as the Wild Rogue Trail which offers access to the most and least visited regions of the wilderness.

Dog-Friendly Backpacking Trail Near Seattle.

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APPALACHIAN TRAIL FUGITIVE JAMES HAMMES PLEADS GUILTY TO WIRE FRAUD – According to Daily News, Hammes agreed to a plea deal in his $8.7 million case which called for him to divulge the details on how he extorted his former company, a Ohio Pepsi-Cola bottler.

Expeditions

Man Crosses Scotland by Foot

David Brown joined the Great Outdoors Challenge sponsored by the British outdoor magazine, “Great Outdoors” for a 13-day, 200-mile walk from west to east across Scotland. The Great Outdoors Challenge helps about 300 people each year with the logistics and advice to complete this trek. On his trek from sea to sea, Brown learned to savor the moments in quiet while alone and experience the joy of meeting another hiker on the trail and swapping stories. While on the trail, Brown stayed in hostels or bed & breakfasts every couple of nights but that was not to say his trip was without hardship. Harsh weather forced Brown to wear all the warm clothing he brought on one particularly stormy day which tested his determination and fitness. Also Scotland’s hills are round and bare so what appears to be the summit often turns out to be just another ridge as the hill stretches skyward.

  • Read the full report on the Great Outdoors Challenge from National Post.

Girl Completes One-Year Backpacking Journey Across Latin America

Elodie, author of Further But Closer, wrote the story to chronicle her year spent in Latin America where she was determined to live as the inhabitants do and experience their lifestyle. She spent the year backpacking and exploring countries across Latin America. From the food to the sights she was fully engaged in the experience. She produced a video showing her travels and all she learned.

  • Watch the video showing her experience living as a local from Daily Motion.

Friends Reunite for 8-day Trip in Arctic Circle

Ten friends from Knoxville, Kentucky ventured to Gates of the Arctic National Park. Their trip was filled with the usual hardship brought to you by the Brooks Range; wet conditions, tundra, and mountain passes are the ingredients for a challenge and a memorable trip. Halfway through they faced a raging stream and used teamwork and ingenuity linking arms and step by step forded the stream because there was no turning back. Even reaching the park entrance is an adventure as the surrounding area is devoid of roads, cell phone service, and other amenities of modern living. After a plane flight into the heart of the park from Bettles, Alaska (year-round population of 12), some adventures along the way both by plane and foot, and a plane flight back to Bettles these adventurers were ready to share their stories with their family, friends, and the world.

  • Read the full report on the Brooks Range adventure from Knox News.

CLIMBING THE NOSE OF EL CAPITAN – The video below shows European climber, Jorge Verhoeven’s October 2014, thirty-day attempt climbing the nose of El Capitan which has only seen four ascents since 1993.

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16 Trips to Add to Your Bucket List

FIRST TIME TO HAWAII? – Daily News has these trail recommendations for you.

BOARDPACKING ON WESTSIDE VANCOUVER ISLAND – Elder SUP reports on some friends who strap their gear to a stand up paddle board as a way to look for adventure.

Outfitters Hard at Work in Denali National Park

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MOTHER AND DAUGHTER THRU-HIKE JOHN MUIR TRAIL – Kaweah Commonwealth reports on mother-daughter duo who spent the summer hiking the JMT.

Photo of the Month

Wouter Boer an adventurer from the Netherlands who explores much of Northern Europe stops to in northern Scandinavia for an iconic photo along the rim of a glacier.

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Skills

Ingredients for Planning an Expedition

Alastair Humphreys is a well-traveled man. That’s actually a bit of an understatement. He has traveled across India by foot, Iceland by packraft, across the Empty Quarter Desert with a cart, and has even biked across the whole world – a journey that took four years. These adventures have given him a lot of perspective about life and what it takes to plan an expedition. He insists that the best adventures are simple, but agrees that they may not be easy. He does believe they are worth it as challenges lead to learning and memories. In his recent blog post, Humphreys lays down the basic ingredients for planning an expedition and the steps needed to make those dreams a reality. In addition to covering equipment, budget, training, and logistics Humphreys also interviews other experts who offer their insights on the best ways to start your next adventure.

10 Ways to Go Lighter

Although we subscribe to Backpacking Light, a refresher on some tactics to lighten your load is never a bad idea. Sometimes they are obvious taking less gear, choosing trekking shoes over boots, and choosing lighter versions of the gear. Other times methods like looking for ways to multi-task and cut redundancy in your gear can make a significant difference in your pack weight. Going light is a mindset where you challenge yourself to see how much you can really leave behind.

5 Tips to Seeing More Wildlife on Your Thru-Hike

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10 Beginner Tenkara Tips

Any new endeavor can be frustrating if begun the wrong way. On the flip side, there is no substitute for learning the right way to do something. The same is true with Tenkara Fly Fishing. Tenkara rods are a great compliment for your lightweight kit swapping food rations for a rod and tackle. Plus tasty, fresh fish is a blessing on any backpacking trip. Furthermore, they offer another form of wilderness recreation and a way to unwind after a long day. Before you begin this sport, there are some tips that will increase your enjoyment and decrease your frustration. Tenkara, devoid of a reel and and a lot of line is already a step ahead of traditional fly fishing in terms of simplicity. Nevertheless, learning proper techniques under an expert, having the right gear and fishing equipment, and learning trout behavior can make a big difference and increases your success rate.

How to Budget to Travel the World

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TRAINING FOR HIKING MAKES A DIFFERENCE – According to Poughkeepsie Journal, Hiking is fun only as long as you are in shape. For a long thru-hike or a multi-week adventure there is time to work into your fitness, but for a shorter expedition a lack of fitness can lead to misery and sometimes it becomes impossible to complete your trip’s goals. Fitness is only acquired through persistent training.

Gear

Andrew Skurka Completes Long-Term Review of Third Generation SPOT

Andrew Skurka has used his third generation SPOT for several years with an estimated 100 days over the last two years so he feels comfortable giving a long-term review. In his review, Skurka stresses that there are a lot of emergency and non-emergency satellite devices available and they all have strengths and weaknesses, and the most important factor for choosing a device is the intended use. The third generation SPOT is ideal for someone who values the weight of every item in their pack and doesn’t mind one-way communication. In some, circles the latter may be viewed as a weakness while it is a blessing for others who want to have an ability to communicate in an emergency without the temptation of a two-way communication device like a satellite phone. There are severe limitations with one-way communication; SPOT only has four features, OK, Help, SOS, and Custom Message, so in emergencies with multiple injuries, unique terrain features, or other complicating factors SPOT may be inadequate to address the scenario. As a result, it is best for shorter, less remote trips where access to advanced medical care is not too far away. For long expeditions, the SPOT should be accompanied by a two-way communication device that can facilitate the complicated features of the scenario and coordinate evacuation.

  • Read the full report on the third generation SPOT from Andrew Skurka.

A Geek’s Guide to Ultralight Backpacking

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Gear Comparison Table Simplifies Trip Logistics

Often times, choosing the right gear for an expedition can be very taxing. It’s even worse when you don’t have the right information or have to spend hours scouring the internet doing research. It is much easier to make decisions when the information is right in front of you, and all you have to do is classify the type of trip you are doing, and characterize the expected weather conditions and the difficulty of terrain. Mark of Mark’s Walking Blog recognized this fact so he compiled a list of the UL sleeping bags and quilts 1 lb or less. The result is a very comprehensive and detailed table showing weight, price, construction, links to reviews, and comments for a wide variety of UL sleeping bags and quilts. He has plans to add more gear comparison tables so keep your eye out.

Are Trekking Poles Needed?

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Deuter Fox 30 Backpack Review Works Well for Kid’s Backpacking Trips

Some of the challenges associated with backpacking or hiking with young kids aside from the obvious are those associated with subpar gear. Often kids’ backpacks are poorly constructed and fall apart easily. The Deuter Fox 30, a 2 lb 10 oz pack although not necessarily ultralight carries well and has enough space (2,000 cubic inches) for kids to carry their sleeping bag and some other items. The Deuter Fox 30 is an adult pack shrunk to kid size which teaches them how to pack a real backpack from an early age.

LIGHTEST REUSABLE RAZOR NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER – The travel edition of the 3d printed Nylon Ockham Razor is now available for pre-order on Indiegogo and Kickstarter.

MCNETT CORPORATION ACQUIRED BY COGHLAN’S LTD. – McNett Corp makers of Gear Aid (Tenacious Tape) and Aquamira announced earlier this month that it was being acquired by Coghlan’s Ltd of Canada which makes a range of outdoor accessories. Business is expected to continue as usual and Duane and Nancy McNett former owners of McNett Corp. are looking forward to their retirement.

People

With His Wife as His Support Team 74-Year-Old Man Hikes the Appalachian Trail

After years of wanting to hike the AT, Michael Venus delegated some of the responsibility of his mechanical engineering business to his son and decided to hit the trail. His wife, Rita was his support staff and made the thru-hike possible. She would bring him dry clothes after rain and bananas to keep his potassium levels up during his 6-month thru-hike. Each night, she would drive him to the nearest hotel except for a few days when he slept in a tent or cabin. He endured the hardships of the walk; the physical toil and the loneliness and in the end he became the fourth oldest man to hike the Appalachian Trail. He was never really alone, his wife was shadowing him the whole way. Aside from keeping herself busy as his “sherpa,” Rita became a tourist exploring and shopping in trail towns from Georgia to Maine. Her help was not only indispensable from a logistical standpoint but her backbone of encouragement and practicality helped Michael finish the trip. Near the end, as the trail winds through New Hampshire, the terrain increases in difficulty and the weather worsened, Rita’s support and advice enabled Michael to take it one step at a time and ultimately finish the thru-hike.

  • Read the full story about this dynamic duo from NJ.

Hendrik Morkel Enjoying the Via Dinarica Trail

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A Man and Woman meet on the Pacific Crest Trail and Marry

Before Claire Henley left on her PCT thru-hike in April 2015, she told her family she was going to meet her future husband on the trail. And she did. Two weeks after “Big Spoon” (her husband’s trail name) caught up to her on the trail they knew they wanted to be married. They say you get to know people very fast on the trail as you get to see their genuine self as they struggle with the rigors of the trail. Shortly, after the proposal and calls to their respective families, Claire and Big Spoon were married in a remote Los Angeles county courthouse. Afterwards they set off on the trail again, together to finish their hike.

  • Read the Claire’s account of her Pacific Crest Trail adventure and Marriage from Chattanoogan.

88-Year-Old Women AT Hiker Offers Advice from 40 Years of Trail Hiking

Nancy Weaver has spent forty years hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail. She started out backpacking with her late husband and her sons, and now goes out with friends. Over the years, she’s learned the lightweight way to do it. After years of observing people struggle under the weight of lots of gear they never used, Weaver concluded that the best strategy was to not bring a lot of gear because you need to carry it. She thrived on minimalism and perseverance as she met all the challenges she faced whether bears or torrential rain with determination.

  • Read the advice on making hiking a lifetime committment from Al.

The Six Characteristics of Successful Thru-Hikers

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Tom Hills running in Scottish Highlands. Photo by Chris Davies courtesy of Sidetracked.com.

MAN RUNS UP SULIVEN MOUNTAIN IN SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS – Sidetracked has the story of Tom Hill a trail runner. While we don’t think any records were set, Chris Davies with camera in tow follows Tom Hill up the mountain and in the process shows us that running can be meditation.

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SENIOR HIKING GROUP GIVES NEW MEANING TO “VITALITY” – Centre Daily News shares the story of a group of seniors who get outside every Tuesday morning for a hike in Central Pennsylvania.

HEATHER ANDERSON SETS RECORD FOR APPALACHIAN TRAIL – Heather “Anish” Anderson, a personal trainer from Seattle recently set the record for the fastest known time in a self-supported fashion on the Appalachian trail. Outside Online writes how it may have been her determination from being a trainer that gave her the mental edge to do the impossible. Also read, my interview with Anish about her life and her recent accomplishments on Backpacking Light.

TRAINING TIPS FROM A 74-Year-Old AT THRU-HIKER – ABC News reports on the training she undertook to prepare her mind and body for the grueling trail.

Faces No. 4: Heather “Anish” Anderson

Anish set the self-supported record for the Appalachian Trail at the end of September, and is the first person to hold simultaneous records on the AT and the PCT.

(Faces is an interview series that will focus on letting you the BPL reader get to know more about people in the outdoor community.)

Some of the people interviewed may be people that have a relationship in the BPL forums. You can expect content from people that work in the outdoor industry, photographer’s, gear makers, athletes, or bloggers, scientists, and of course backpackers. The goal here is to give you a perspective of these individuals’ lives, backgrounds, and what they currently do. We want to share their thoughts, passions, and the stories that are the most memorable to them with you. This interview will be with Heather “Anish” Anderson who set the self-supported record for the Appalachian Trail on September 24th finishing in 54 days, 7 hours, and 48 minutes. In 2013, she also set the record for the Pacific Crest Trail finishing in 60 days, 17 hours and 12 minutes. She is the only person to ever hold both records simultaneously. She attempted to set the record for the John Muir Trail in 2014, but ultimately fell short. She has a tireless desire to see what she can prove to herself and she cites that as her primary motivation. This interview focuses on her life and what led her to make her life backpacking.

First, I want to ask you some questions about you:

Where are you from and when did you become excited about the outdoors?

I’m originally from Michigan. I did my first hikes at Grand Canyon National Park, but I really truly fell in love with backpacking when I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2003. Although I had no prior backpacking experience, my first journey on the AT set my course in life. By the time I’d traveled 200 miles I knew that there was nothing else I wanted to do in life except be in the outdoors.

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Anish on a firetower somewhere along the AT in 2003.

How did you get your trail name?

My great-great grandmother was Anishinaabe which is a Native American people of the upper Midwest. I wanted to honor that part of my heritage and named myself Anishinaabe on the AT in 2003. Other hikers shortened it to Anish.

Next some questions about your long thru-hikes:

How much did you sleep while on the trail? What was your typical daily hiking routine?

On the AT in 2015 I slept between 4 and 5 hours a night. I woke up every day at 4, ate breakfast, packed up camp and was walking by 4:30. I would walk for the next 17-19 hours. Then I would pitch my tent, eat dinner (which was soaked in a Ziploc) and sleep. During the day I ate snacks hourly, reminded by a chime on my watch. I stopped for water every 20 miles or so. Around 6:30pm I would add water to my dinner. Aside from that I seldom stopped.

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Morning in the tent.

What were the differences and similarities between your AT and PCT record thru-hikes?

The trails are quite dissimilar and therefore thru-hikes on them are as well. The PCT was characterized by overcoming fear and discovering potential. The AT was characterized by personal growth and self-actualization: being the absolute best hiker I could be each and every day.

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Anish on Max Patch.

You were on the trail for 54 days for the AT and 60 days for the PCT by yourself. Did you feel alone? How did you pass the time? Were there times when you’d hike with others?

Sometimes I felt alone, even though there were people around. Oddly, though there were more people on the AT than the PCT, I felt much more solitude on the AT. I think because most people didn’t really stop to interact. They just said hi and hiked on. Most everyone on the PCT wanted to chat.

Passing the time was easy. I was hiking. I don’t really get bored when I’m hiking, especially on the AT. There’s always something going on. The forest is very alive. Chipmunks were an especially lively source of entertainment during the day. At night I was serenaded by owls, which was lovely to listen to. On the times that I did get bored I would listen to music, but never for more than an hour.

I hiked with two other SoBo’s (southbounders) the final few miles of Massachusetts. We all were headed up the climb at the same time. They headed into the Hemlocks Shelter and I continued on into Connecticut that night. I also walked about a mile with a SoBo outside of the Delaware Water Gap. She and I were headed into the same shelter to get water.

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Anish with a fellow SoBo near the Hemlocks Shelter in MA. Photo Courtesy Liam Cameron.

What led to the JMT record attempt coming up short? Do you view that attempt as a failure? And how did you get motivated to try for the AT record?

In short, I didn’t succeed with my goals on the JMT in 2014 because of extreme AMS. I wrote a pretty extensive blogpost about it at the time which folks can read here. I don’t perceive anything that you learn from in life as a failure. I learned a lot about myself on the JMT, probably more than I have ever learned in any other endeavor. Therefore, I cherish it as one of the best experiences of my athletic career. Much of what I learned there didn’t really come to light until I was on the AT. Often it takes a separate endeavor to cast light on the lessons of a previous one. Motivation for the AT record was easy. I believed deep down that it was something I had to do for myself.

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Extreme AMS on Mather Pass 2014.

What’s your favorite piece of gear? Why? What’s your most used gear item?

My favorite piece(s) of gear have been my ZPacks tents. I used the Hexamid on the PCT and the Soloplex on the AT. I slept in them every night I camped on the trail. They are light, easy to set up, keep the creepy crawlies out, and are well designed. My most used item would be my backpack. I use a Gossamer Gear Gorilla.

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Anish at the ATC Center in Harper’s Ferry with her Gorilla..

How do you train to hike 45 miles a day? How active are you when you are off the trail?

As with any thru-hike nothing really trains you to hike all day except hiking all day. That said, any athletic advantage you bring to the trail will make the adjustment easier. Prior to the PCT I was injured (knee) and didn’t run or hike more than about 10-15 miles a week for the 6 months prior. Instead I did a lot of strength training. The adaptive phase (the first 10 days) of the hike was brutal. I started the AT much more fit and the adaptive phase was considerably easier. I am highly active year round. I run ultramarathon distances (although I don’t race much). I mountaineer (my training for the AT was primarily ascending 22 of the highest 100 peaks in Washington state in the 3 months prior, including Rainier). I am also a rock climber and enjoy yoga and weightlifting. I am a personal trainer by profession because being healthy and active is my passion and I enjoy sharing it with others.

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Anish climbing Mt. Fernow, the 8th highest peak in Washington, 6 days after finishing her AT FKT hike.

When you hiked the AT which way did you hike? Did you start in Maine or Georgia? What about for The PCT? Why did you pick one direction over the other?

My first hikes of both trails were NoBo (northbound). My fastest known time (FKT) hike on the PCT was also NoBo. My FKT hike on the AT was SoBo (southbound). I chose to go NoBo on the PCT because that afforded the most services, daylight, and coincided with the two snowpacks that year. I chose SoBo on the AT to cover the more technical terrain while I was fresh.

Tell us about your most memorable experience from one of your thru-hikes.

As I crossed yet another bald in North Carolina, I met a bird research team that was capturing, measuring, and banding birds. I stopped and asked about their research and they showed me how they check the migratory birds for body fat and measure their wingspan. Then they asked if I would like to release one of the birds. They showed me the way to hold them and I carefully took a tiny songbird into my hand. I turned to face south along the AT and slowly loosened my grasp.

I felt the power of flight ignite in my palm as she shot down the trail and disappeared.

It was by far one of the most beautiful moments of any of my 5 thru-hikes.

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A bald similar to where I met the bird research team.

Have ever faced danger while on the trail?

Plenty of times. I’ve encountered mountain lions face to face while nighthiking. I nearly stepped on a Copperhead on the AT in Virginia this year (also at night). I’ve surprised a sow grizzly and her cubs. I’ve forded rivers that very nearly knocked me over. I’ve been in the advanced stages of hypothermia, saved by my hiking partner. I’ve had handholds blow out on me while scrambling class 4 terrain and fallen. I’ve had lightning strike very close to me while on exposed ridgelines and mountain tops. The list goes on.

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Ominous clouds approaching in the Sierra in 2013.

What kind of mindset do you need to be able to push yourself to the limits and accomplish these hikes?

“I will not quit.”

It’s really the exact same mindset it takes to do a thru-hike at any speed. You simply have to determine what it is you must do in order to succeed and do it, no matter what, without fail. And you must not allow yourself to stop doing it until you’re done. Also, I enjoy pushing myself. I’m insatiably curious about what I am physically and mentally capable of.

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Anish at the completion of the AT in 2015.

What other trail ambitions do you have? What hiking goals do you still want to achieve?

Too many to list. I live to explore the wilds. Whether on trail or on a mountain I want to be out doing, living, moving, and exploring. Name a trail I probably want to hike it. Unless it’s in the jungle. I’m not interested in that.

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Sights like this are common around me. As are spreadsheets and piles of maps..

Some philosophical questions:

Why did you start hiking? Why have you continued to hike? And how has hiking impacted your life?

Someone invited me to hike down to Indian Gardens. I wanted to make friends with my new co-workers and it sounded interesting so I went. I continue to hike because it’s my calling in life. It is exactly what I am meant to do. Hiking hasn’t impacted my life; it is my life.

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Anish receives her Triple Crown Award in 2007.

If you could recommend one trip to change someone’s life what would it be and why?

Take the trip that scares and intrigues you the most. After the greatest fear and struggle comes the greatest joy.

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Anish at the end of her PCT FKT hike in 2013.

In some of your Facebook posts, you mention overcoming doubt and self-defeating beliefs – how did you learn to do this and what techniques do you use to stay motivated?

I don’t know how to explain or answer that. It’s simply been a 20+ year long journey of prayer, introspection, and facing fears head on. I think every person has areas in which to grow and overcome, but each journey is radically different. My motto is to Dream Big. Be Courageous. It’s a statement that can be applied to every arena in life by anyone.

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Anish after quitting her job, selling her possessions and buying a one way bus ticket to Ashland, OR in 2012.

What advice do you have for the BPL membership?

Same as above: Dream Big. Be Courageous. Also, Tread Lightly.

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Anish radiant after finally taking the leap to live in the desert all winter in 2014.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

In the mountains doing exactly what I love to do.

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Anish climbing Mt. Pugh..

What do you foresee as the challenges the next generation of backpackers will face?

Climate change will affect seasons, vegetation, and animal life. I’ve personally witnessed the decline in the pika population in Washington in the last decade. Fire seasons are becoming more intense and widespread fire closures in our protected lands are impacting recreation immensely. Droughts are leading to water scarcity in many areas. I anticipate all of these things will continue and potentially worsen as time goes on.

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Large burned area in the Pasaytan Wilderness.

Social Media

Thank you Heather “Anish” Anderson! You can follow her adventures using the links below:

Bear Attack in the Rockies

Bear attacks are frightening and unexpected. This author shares her bear encounter with the hiking community.

The downside about getting bit by a bear is that it leaves the wrong impression. Must’ve been a crazy bear. She must’ve had food in her tent. Neither statement is true. Plus, if you’re in your tent when the attack occurs, as I was, you lose gear. My tent and my favorite sleeping bag ever (irreplaceable-Marmot no longer makes it) were destroyed, along with the powder-blue Patagonia jacket I was wearing. There’s no upside to a close encounter with a bear, unless of course, you count survival. Which I do.

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Highest Point on the Colorado Trail, 13,271 feet, below Coney Summit.

As thru-hikers and backpackers, we think about bears. At one time or another we study them, or at least learn their habits. Years ago when I lived in Yosemite, I got an up-front education on how to live peacefully and respectfully among them. I remember being terrified the first night I camped in Little Yosemite Valley, an area of the park known for heavy bear traffic. I was fresh from the city, it was my first night in the backcountry, and we were camping under the stars. I remember wondering if a bear would step on us, and prayed that we’d hung our food properly. I didn’t see a bear that night, but over the course of the next six years I saw many, and I grew to love their large beauty and spirit.

During the five summers prior to my bear attack, I solo thru-hiked long trails. Quick list: The John Muir Trail (x2), The Colorado Trail, The Pacific Crest Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail twice – once hiking north, and once hiking south. In over 4,000 miles I saw only seven bears; six on the PCT and one on the Long Trail. And yet, they were often on my mind. I sang at the top of my lungs in the evening and early morning hours to alert them of my presence. I ate dinner miles before making camp. I made sure to look for mama bear when I twice saw cubs. You know the drill.

In the spring of 2014, I left my New England home to volunteer for a month at a meditation retreat center nestled in the mountains of southwest Colorado. Among other things, I wanted to know what it would be like to camp night after night in one locale, without the thru-hiker need to pack up and walk 20 miles the next day. I wanted to know what it would like to be a stationary camper. What might it be like to deeply observe the mountains, the dry brittle earth, the deep blue sky, the wildlife, without the pressure of thru-hiking? I arrived at the retreat center and was shown where to camp.

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The Tenmile Range near Breckenridge.

Eleven days later, at 5:45 a.m., I hear something moving outside my tent and think it’s probably a raccoon, so I yell, “Shoo!” I’m lying on my stomach. A few moments later, my tent poles snap and part of my tent collapses. Then a heavy, lumpy thing sits on me. It presses my pelvis into the earth. A bear is sitting on me! Several moments pass, then the bear gets up and starts walking away. Wow, am I lucky! I assume he’s leaving, but he’s not. He walks to the front of my tent, where my head is, and starts tearing the vestibule. It’s a silent morning – no wind, no rain – and each tear sounds phenomenally loud, and so very close. The sound reverberates throughout every cell in my body. I can’t wrap my mind around what’s happening. A black bear is doing this? There’s no food in my tent, no reason for such behavior. I don’t understand. I can’t understand. Then I black out.

I wake to an intense pain in my left arm and turn to see the bear’s big head very close to mine. I’m lying on my back now, and he’s lifted my left arm up high, dangling it above my head (still attached to my body). My shoulder is off the ground. His teeth are jammed into the thin cotton jacket that I sleep in, and jammed into my arm. Thank goodness for the thin protection of that jacket. Blood is everywhere. Red blood against pale blue jacket. Red blood dripping onto pale blue sleeping bag. His head with my arm hanging from it is astonishingly close to my face. What to do? My mind remains calm and very clear. Fight! Scream! Fight for your life! Give it all you’ve got! His wet, black nose looks soft and vulnerable and the moment I decide to make it my target, my body takes over completely. I watch as my right arm swings and I punch him in the nose. Over and over I punch him on his black, moist nose. Every morsel of energy, every ounce of desire to live-my entire life force-accumulates in my right fist as I punch and punch the black bear that won’t let go of my arm.

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My arm the day after the attack.

While I’m doing this, I scream at the top of my lungs: “Hey bear! Hey bear!” I scream and punch, and can’t understand why he won’t let go of me. I try looking into his eye, his right eye, the only eye I can see-I want to look into his eye-I want to get a sense of this beast. I want to understand him. But he’s shaking me back and forth and his eye is high and looks off at an angle. I can’t get a sense of him. When he refuses to let go, I calmly think, “Ok, next he’s going to claw me down the center of my body. One big swipe. I bet that’s all it will take.” I fight like hell with a calm knowing that next he will rip me apart. His teeth are white and clean and I think, “That’s a good thing. Fewer germs.”

For some reason the bear drops my arm. I survive the attack. He bit me twice, leaving twenty-one punctures. He was a three-year old adolescent male, who when captured had a belly full of wild turkeys. I can’t help but wonder, did he eat the turkeys before, or after our visit? He could’ve killed me, but he didn’t.

At the hospital the nurse tells me that she was on duty nine months ago, when they brought in the honey-faced girl who was bit by a bear. She was camping at the same retreat center and had gone to her tent for the night with honey smeared onto her face as a beauty treatment. A bear tore into her tent and bit her arm. She screamed and he immediately left. Her former campsite was not far from mine. The nurse tells me that my arm is “much, much worse.” The other woman received two, maybe three punctures. Her bear was not tracked and caught.

In 2010, when I completed my thru-hike on the Pacific Crest Trail, I reached Monument 78 at the Canadian border, and the phrase “everything and nothing has changed” coursed through my brain. Meaning, I think, that I’d just completed a dream. I’d walked for months in the wilderness, on a trail I adored, and with each step that I took I felt completely at home. My sense of the world, my sense of this planet we live on, my sense of myself (in some ways) changed, merely by going for a walk. When I returned to the world off-trail, not much was different. Everything and nothing had changed.

Since the bear attack the phrase that stays in my mind is: everything and everything has changed. I’m still sorting that one out.

Author Bio

Anne O’Regan is the author of Tamed. A City Girl Walks From Mexico To Canada On The Pacific Crest Trail (available on her website:anneoregan.com). She is currently working on her next book, entitled The Bear That Followed Me Home.

Notes from the Field: Rambling the High Sierra (Revisited)

An alpine ramble along part of the Roper High route of the High Sierras, leaves plenty of time for fishing and relaxation.

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Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 25

FBI Fugitive Found on Appalachian Trail, A Survival Video Game, The Zion Flash Flood, A “Walk In the Woods” Inspires People to Get Out, MSR FlyLite Tent, and much more!

If you’d like to submit a link to a timely (fresh) story for us to consider including in our next installment, please send it along to submissions@backpackinglight.com with the subject line “BPL NEWS DIGEST”.

TOP STORIES

Anish Sets Self-Supported Record for the Appalachian Trail

Heather Anderson, trailname Anish, on September 24th set the self-supported record for the Appalachian trail finishing in 54 days, 7 hours, and 48 minutes. In 2013, she also set the record for the Pacific Crest Trail making her the only person to hold both records simultaneously. After her record-attempt on the John Muir Trail came up short last year, Anish put her fears behind her and tried to set the record on the AT. However the “demons” and legions of doubt only intensified, but as “the miles dwindled into the double digits I became aware that I was crushing more than miles. I was crushing a lifetime of self defeating beliefs,” Anish wrote on a Facebook post following her AT record. On her AT hike, Anish averaged 42 miles per day for nearly 2 months, and broke the previous record by nearly four days.

  • Read the full report from Spokesman.
  • Checkout her Facebook Page.
  • Watch her Tedx Talk “Redefining Happiness” below.

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Youtube video

James Hammes: FBI Fugitive Found Hiking Appalachian Trail Six Years After Going Into Hiding

In May, white collar criminal, James Hammes was arrested by the FBI at bed and breakfast along the Appalachian Trail. Hammes is charged with embezzling $9 million from Pepsi. He has been in hiding since his disappearance in 2009 when he left his wife and daughter behind. Fellow thru-hikers on the AT described Hammes who was known by trail name “Bismark” as “sociable” and “friendly”, and said he would sometimes say he owned a software company. The FBI were tipped-off by a hiker who recognized Hammes from an episode of American Greed.

  • Learn more about James Hammes and his fugitive story at Inquisitir.

Backpacking in Europe has its Benefits

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“A Walk in the Woods” Piques Interest and Concern in Hiking the Appalachian Trail

A new movie based on the 1999 book is proving to be a source of inspiration and concern along the AT. When the book was released in 1999 AT officials say thru-hikers increased by 40%-60%. With the expected audience to increase due to the video format, AT officials are preparing for another busy season. The concerns range from the level of preparedness of the hikers to space issues at overnight dwellings to worries about trash accumulating along the route. On the flip side, the movie is expected to be a source of inspiration for new and experienced hikers alike. The film shows the rugged beauty of the AT and stresses our responsibility to preserve it by emphasizing Leave No Trace principles.

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71-year-old Alabama man backpacks hundreds of miles each year, no plans to stop

Dwight McClure, known by many as Owo (“Oh Wise One” given to him by his wife), has a goal of hiking at least 1,000 miles each year and generally he exceeds it. He’s hiked over 30 sections of the AT, has backpacked through 35 states, and completed the John Muir Trail in California. He’s completed these hikes since he began hiking a few decades ago, and he plans to continue until he’s 90. Over the years, he followed the natural progression of a traditional backpacker to a lightweight backpacker guided by the desire to carry less of the gear he didn’t need. These days he gets his pack down to 22-23 lbs which includes a SPOT his wife insists he carries.

  • Read the full report from Al.

Parker to be designated a Trail Town along the National North Country Scenic Trail

Parker, Pennsylvania is being designated a Trail Town by the North Country Trail Association due to the community’s emphasis on providing services to trail users. Residents hope the distinction promotes local business and increases the services they offer to hikers.The North Country Trail begins in North Dakota and runs through 7 states until its terminus at the New York State border.

FARGO-DESIGNED VIDEO GAME HIKING TOWARD XBOX DEBUT – According to the Grand Forks Herald game makers chose to deemphasize violence and instead focus on foraging and trapping to survive.

GOATS PROMPT CLOSURE OF IDAHO TRAIL TO PROTECT HIKERS – The Seattle Times reports that hikers have been feeding goats near the Scotchman Peak Trail which leads to an aggressive behavior as a way to get more food from hikers.

SELFIE-TAKING HIKERS PROMPT CLOSURE OF COLORADO HIKING TRAIL TO PROTECT BEARS – Abcaction News reports that Waterton Canyon near Littleton, Colorado will be closed indefinitely after people have been trying to take selfies with the bears in the area.

MOUNTAIN BIKES ON THE COLORADO TRAIL LEAVE SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED – Although generally polite, the author, writing for HCN, found the experience of making way for mountain bikers to be one that jarred her from the rhythm of walking.

SNOWY SEPTEMBER WEEKEND DOESN’T DAMPEN BACKPACKERS’ SPIRITS – Despite the weather hikers found a way to enjoy the Labor Day weekend and posted photos from their adventures to Spokesman.

UNUSUAL CLIMATE CONDITIONS LEAD TO SWARMING BEES ON HAWAII HIKING TRAIL – According to local Hawaii news, KHON2, warm weather in Hawaii is leading to an increase in food for the bees and as a result their numbers are multiplying.

Backpacking in Kruger National Park, South Africa

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TRAIL TRAGEDIES

Zion Flash Flood Claims Seven

Canyoneering is a sport that has grown in popularity over the years and with that surge in people comes greater probability that the increased number of people will be at risk. A hiking crew from California fell victim to the unpredictable nature of the canyon lands where precipitation can quickly lead to devastating flash floods. These canyons have been shaped for years by the erosive capability of these floods. Despite years of hiking experience and taking a canyoneering safety course, the hikers descent into Keyhole Canyon was no match for the onslaught that awaited them. The canyon explorers were not the only victims on this day as a flash flood overwhelmed a Mormon community leaving three adults and nine children dead with another child still missing. This flood was part of the most deadly day of weather in Utah’s history.

  • Read the full report from La Times.
  • Learn more about canyoneering with this article from the BPL archives written by Dave Chenault.

LIGHTNING STRIKE KILLS YOUNG AUSTRALIAN HIKER IN GRAND CANYON – The Independent reports on the death of a lone hiker – the eighth in the park since the start of summer.

MISSING BACKPACKER FOUND DEAD IN YOSEMITE – According to the Fresno Bee an extensive search finally located his body along the popular High Sierra Camp Loop.

MAN DIES HIKING IN ESTES PARK – Denver’s CBS Local reports that the 61-year-old man collapsed 4 miles up a trail and was unable to be revived by bystanders.

EXPEDITIONS

Unattached: All-female Team Summits Unclimbed Peak in Zanskar Region of India

Maps for the undeveloped world are often inexistent and if they do exist are often inaccurate. A team of women learned this the hard way as they traveled around the world to climb a peak in Zanskar Region of India. After several bus rides and hours on horseback, Rachel Spitzer, Lisa Van Sciver, and Anna Pfaff arrived at their destination only to learn that they were in the wrong valley. Rather than repack their gear and seek out their primary objective, they found a worthy alternative, a peak known as Tare Parvat (5577 m) – Hindi for Star – which divides the Dalung and Chilung Nala valleys. Their climb took them up talus slopes, ice fields, ridges, and runout slabs, and the trio fittingly named their route “Unattached” following their sudden change in plans.

Panel Appointed to Finalize Details for The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

Looking for a new place for your next expedition? A panel has been appointed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to develop the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail which stretches 1,200 miles from the Pacific shores of the Olympic National Park to the peaks of Glacier National Park. The trail was first proposed as a concept in 1970, and then officially designated as a National Scenic Trail in 2009. The panel made up of a diverse group of citizens is charged with improving signage, and ensuring the trail offers adequate recreational access while promoting conservation. The panel is considering trail users at this time and will spend three years prioritizing the trails uses and users.

Rim of Africa: 15 Awe-Inspiring Facts about South Africa’s Longest Mountain Hiking Trail Initiative

Stretching for 400 miles along the mountain rim in South Africa makes the Rim of Africa trail initiative the longest mountain traverse in the continent. The whole rim trail generally takes eight weeks to complete, and the trail initiative itself has several route variations for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike. The best times to hike are in the Spring or Fall when neither the winter chill or summer heat are present. Visionaries of the trail, Galeo Saintz and Ivan Groenhof, and hope this trail will be regarded in the same circles as other world-class routes like the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Te Araoa in New Zealand.

Backpacking Expeditions Get You Outside to Beautiful Places

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HIKING AND BIKING COLORADO’S 14ERS – Check out the video below to see the adventure.

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HIKING HALF DOME – Eco Watch reccommends putting this popular peak on the bucket list.

A Bushwhacking Expedition

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CLASSIC FALL HIKES: NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL – National Parks Traveler says the trail runs for 215 miles and offers access to the woods in both Massachusetts and Connecticut.

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SKILLS

Leave No Trace for Packrafters

Packrafters often travel through fragile ecosystems in their pursuit for adventure. Maintaining the beauty and scenery of these wilderness areas is our responsibility as stewards and users of these lands. Leave No Trace principles were developed to allow for responsible and enjoyable use of the land. Three friends set off to explore the wild lands of Alaska’s Brooks Range as part of their 4-river, 12-day expedition, and in addition to some exploration their objective was to practice the seven Leave No Trace principles. From managing wildlife to forest fires, the trio practiced techniques that will leave this area pristine for future generations.

  • Read the full report from The HyperLite Mountain Gear Blog, Part 1 and Part 2.

Getting Your Parents to Join You for Adventures

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How to Survive

Over the years, Indefinitely Wild has been publishing stories themed as “adventure travel in the outdoors” however many of these adventure stories double as survival stories as well. In appreciation of survival week, they compiled their “survival” stories under the header “How to Survive Pretty Much Anything.” From finding clean drinking water to building snow shelters, the compilation covers many common scenarios and teaches practical ways to manage them.

CASE FOR FEWER MEAL RECIPES – Lightweight backpacker Andrew Skurka stresses that backpacking is about simplicity, and keeping your meal planning simple will ease some anxiety.

And in the same vein, packing should be easy too:

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10 Ways to Sleep Warmer During the Shoulder Seasons

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GET YOUR DOG READY FOR HIKING – Idaho Statesman says that these tips will get you and your dog ready for the trail.

3 BACKPACKING RECIPES FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO GO LIGHT – Capture Outdoors says that these tasty recipes will take you from the kitchen to the outdoors.

GEAR

25-oz, 2-Person FlyLite Tent Now Shipping from MSR

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The MSR FlyLite Trekking pole Tent.

The MSR FlyLite claims to be the lightest 2-person, full-protection tent ever made by MSR. The skinny: a weight of 1 lb 9 oz, 29 square feet of floor space, a 10 denier PU+silnylon canopy fabric, MSRP $350.

RJ: Beautiful lines, a cheery but not unstealthy color, taut pitch, trekking-pole supported – I love the concept. Lots of mesh, but am wondering about its condensation resistance. And I’m not convinced (yet) that this fabric has enough field experience to prove that its water resistance is sufficient for hard rain or its fabric strength is strong enough to hold guyline tie-outs that are being cranked down hard for a high wind pitch.

How to Repair Trekking Pants with Tenacious Tape

You’re bushwacking your way back to the trail and suddenly you hear a tearing noise. You look down and your brand-new trekking pants are torn by a stick that seems to be innocently staring at you. You mutter to yourself something about your poor route-finding but then a grin appears on your face as you remember that not only do you have Tenacious Tape with you but you remembered to read Section Hiker’s article on pant repair before you left on your trip. That’s a win. Tenacious Tape is a very sticky gear tape commonly used for rain gear, jacket, sleeping bag, and tent repair. It’s very versatile and it turns out that it is a willing substitute for sewing well-used trekking pants. The tenacious tape even holds up to repeated washings and abuse on the trail.

3D PRINTED BACKPACKING GADGETS – These gadgets, such as, rope and strap clips made by Cubify are much lighter than their traditional counterparts.

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Small Foot Pocket Snowshoes.

INFLATABLE SNOWSHOES – Light and durable these “Pocket Snowshoes” made by Small Foot are trying to push the norm for snow travel.

PEOPLE

Hiking Helps Child with Aspergers Cope

Aspergers is a form of autism that decreases motor skills and causes social situations to be challenging. What began as a way for Gavin Breen to get away from electronics is now one of his favorite activities that rewards him with experiencing nature while teaching him lessons in perseverance. There were some initial challenges to overcome like the fact that Gavin doesn’t like the sound of flying bugs. After trying a whole host of backpacking tricks from hats to bug spray his family settled on headphones. Now Gavin skips down the trails listening to his favorite tunes while taking in the scenery. His mother, Allison says she has noticed an improvement in his behavior as he is better in social situations, has more of an appetite and drinks more water, and he spends more time playing creatively with his toys than with electronics.

Meet Ultralight Backpackers

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Pride and Fall – Sidetracked Magazine Kenton Cool

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Kenton Cool following his fall. Photo courtesy of Sidetracked.com

Before he was a world famous climber, Kenton Cool was a lad in the United Kingdom who loved to climb. While preparing to climb the Ogre in Pakistan, Cool and his friends were practicing on some rocks in Wales. Cool’s pride got the best of him, and the ensuing fall produced fractures in both his ankles. Cool tells this story that tested his positivity and resolve in his book, “One Man’s Everest: The Autobiography of Kenton Cool”. Today, Cool is known for his 11 Everest summits, new routes and first ascents in Alaska, and is one of the world’s most-sought after mountaineering and climbing guides.

SLACK-POCALYPSE – Gear Junkie tells about this competition where contestants walk all day on a slackline.

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H has been watching the team kids train at @focusclimbing gym. Last night she demanded we do wall sits before bed. Haha! I was just trying to eat some dessert.. Damn. #womeninthewild

A photo posted by ☱â˜Čâ˜”â˜¶đŸŒ”arizonađŸŒ”â˜±â˜Č☔☶ (@morganbrechler) on

MOTHERS BACKPACKING WITH TODDLERS – Idiva encourages you to not let your toddler stop you from getting outside, and they’ll probably enjoy it too.

JIM GAFFIGAN HATES HIKING – On Conan, comedian Jim Gaffigan opens up on why hiking is no fun.

MEDIA

WILDLIKE FILMS TELLS TALE ABOUT AN UNCLE AND TROUBLED NIECE BACKPACKING IN DENALI – Filmed in Denali National Park, The Movie Network tells how the film shows the beauty of Alaska while telling a powerful story.

SWITZERLAND TIMELAPSE

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Switzerland 4K | Timelapse from One Lidless Eye on Vimeo.

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Backpacking Wood Stove for Alpine/Snow Camping, Part 2: Micro Snow Stove

The pursuit for warmth, snow-melting power, and comfort during winter expeditions is never-ending. This homemade, lightweight stove offers warmth and comfort for those long winter days.

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