Beyond Our Boundaries: Episode 23

Follow the story of a family of five as they backpack over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine.

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Flash Reviews No. 4

Introductory Reviews of the Sonim XP7 Ultra-Rugged Smartphone; Fenix HL22 Single-AA Headlamp; and Casio Pathfinder PRG-270 Watch.

Sonim XP7 Ultra-Rugged Smartphone

The convergence of electronic devices with functions of interest to backcountry travelers took a huge leap forward with the introduction of the iPhone. In one fell swoop on June 29, 2007, the iPhone heralded an exciting but cautiously optimistic path for multi-function electronic devices.

About one year later, the iPhone 3G was introduced. This was perhaps the most important evolution in smartphone hardware technology – the iPhone 3G offered fast processing, lots of memory, a high resolution color screen, improved battery life, and a quality camera.

Finally, the smartphone had evolved into a device that integrated global positioning system with detailed maps on a large color screen, a camera that could produce stunning imagery in the hands of the skilled, a library of reading for passing away the time on long winter nights or tent-bound storm days, and of course, communications (through a cellular network, when available) for SMS and voice calling, and social media connectivity.

With advances in ruggedized cases from the likes of Otterbox and Lifeproof, satellite communications connectivity (see Expedition Blogging, Part 1: A Satellite Phone-Based System), and external battery supplies for phone recharging, the smartphone-as-a-backcountry electronics device is coming to age rapidly.

The primary limitations in today’s technology that are of the greatest interest to backcountry travelers are (1) the limited ability to use devices in extremely foul conditions (especially with gloves), (2) short battery life, and (3) the inability to connect directly to satellite networks without accessory hardware.

Satellite connectivity technology is evolving more rapidly than I can write these words, and while not quite ready for mass adoption (in terms of cost and consumer device availability), look for a generation of ruggedized smartphones to incorporate it for the consumer market within just a few years as satellite networks proceed through significant upgrades in speed and bandwidth.

Until then, we have the Sonim XP7.

The Sonim XP7, a ruggedized (shock-, water-, and dust-proof) Android phone with LTE, Bluetooth, GPS, and WiFi connectivity.

Features / Claimed Specs:

4,800 mAh battery for 1,000 hr of standby time and 40 hr of talk time.
Weight: 10.2 oz / 290 g
Touchscreen usable with gloves
Waterproof, dustproof, drop/impact, and vibration/shock resistant
Resistant to extreme pressure, puncture, and chemicals (including oils and solvents)
Fully operational across a wide temperature range (-20 deg C / -4 deg F to 55 deg C / 133 deg F)
3-year hardware warranty that covers accidental damage

If I had to write my own wish list for a backcountry smartphone, the above would come awfully close to this. I was particularly interested in five key features: usability with gloves, battery life in cold temperatures, and operation in cold temperatures.

Glove Usability

I tested the Sonim XP7’s usability with gloves that had fingertips made from merino wool, polyester, synthetic leather (polyurethane), and leather. All materials were tested both wet (damp) and dry. Various gestures (taps and swipes) were performed about 100 times for each glove material type, and then repeated with wet materials. A grade of “good” was assigned if the device was responsive to more than 90% of gestures, a grade of “fair” was assigned if the device was responsive to 50% to 90% of gestures, a grade of “poor” was assigned if the device was responsive to less than 25% of gestures, and a grade of “NR” (not responsive) was assigned if the device was responsive to less than 5% of gestures. These results were repeated for a popular Android phone (my personal Samsung Note 3) and an iPhone (my wife’s personal 5S).

The following tables summarize the results.

Dry


Material	iPhone 5S	Samsung Note 3	Sonim XP7
merino wool	good	good	good
polyester	NR	poor	fair
synthetic leather	fair	good	good
leather	NR	NR	NR

Wet


Material	iPhone 5S	Samsung Note 3	Sonim XP7
merino wool	good	good	good
polyester	good	good	good
synthetic leather	good	good	good
leather	good	good	good

The Sonim XP7 scored better than the other two tested phones with dry gloves, but contrary to its claim of being usable with “work gloves”, it was mostly nonresponsive to gestures performed by leather gloves. There was no difference between the responsiveness of any of the phones with wet gloves, regardless of the material, as is to be expected with each of these phones, all of which have capacitive (and not resistive) touchscreens.

Battery Life in Cold Temperatures

A battery drain test was performed where all location and connectivity services were disabled, and the phone left outside until the battery died. Battery temperature, capacity, and drain rates were monitored using third-party apps installed on the phone.

In temperatures between the -20s deg F and +40s deg F, the Sonim XP7 battery drained in about 220 hours. During this time, all location and wireless connectivity services (including cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth) were disabled.

Operation in Cold Temperatures

True to Sonim’s claim that the XP7 can be used in temperatures down to -4 deg F, my own testing doesn’t dispute that claim. In fact, I found the phone to be functional even at -27 deg F, with only mild screen ghosting.

In comparison, my Samsung Note 3 begins to show ghosting at about 10 deg F, but remains functional down to about -20 deg F. My wife’s iPhone 5S fares worse, with significant ghosting at 10 deg F and the ironic “iPhone needs to cool down message” popping up when temperatures plummet below zero.

Summary

In summary, I think the Sonim XP7 shows promise. It’s well-built and appears to deliver on its promise of being ultra-rugged and resistant to some of the horrors that might cause damage to electronics in the backcountry: water, dust, shock, impact, puncture, temperature, pressure, and chemicals. A cursory examination of battery life, cold weather performance, and usability with gloves is positive. That I can have a cell phone, GPS, mapping device, and camera in a single device that I can leave on and handy during the day while I’m trekking is very appealing; especially for the types of hikes I might take in less-remote areas where I want a cell phone with me.

Fenix HL22 Single-AA Headlamp

Here are the specs:

Powered by a single AA battery
Weight: 1.6 oz (45 g) without battery
Cree XP-E R4 LED
90m throw distance
120 lumen max (80-90 minute runtime)
45 lumen mid setting (4.5 – 5.5 hour runtime)
3 lumen low setting (55 hr runtime)
Materials: aluminum and plastic
Digitally regulated power
Waterproof

The Fenix HL22 Single-AA Cree XP-E R4 LED Headlamp

This is not my favorite headlamp (I don’t have one yet) but this comes close. Other than its boxy aesthetics (which I like but those who are seeking more alien-like housings will disapprove), the performance of this headlamp is near the top of its class when compared to some of its more popular competition – the widely available Black Diamond Spot, Petzl XP, and Princeton Tec Remix.

The HL22 isn’t perfect – in fact, too many changes were made from its previous generation, the HL21. The HL22 has more plastic, a smaller button, and a change in location of the button from side to top. None of these “features” were improvements. I hope the HL23 blends the performance of the HL22 with the design aesthetics and durability of the HL21.

Aside from the HL21, among the rest of the headlamps mentioned above (including the Spot, XP, and Remix), the Fenix HL22 has a better sell sheet: one lamp, one button, one AA battery, easy mode switching, few modes, more durability, easier battery changes, and easiest to operate with gloves.

Casio Pathfinder PRG-270

The Casio Pathfinder PRG-270 ABC (altimeter, barometer, compass) watch isn’t brand new to the market, but it has quietly snuck in besides watches from Garmin and Suunto to become a highly competitive option for wilderness travelers.

Casio Pathfinder PRG-270 (submodel B-1 shown). The best value of any ABC watch on the market?

After having tested its accuracy and compared results with other ABC watches from Suunto and Garmin, alongside the latest generation of dedicated GPS units, I can say with confidence that there are little differences in accuracy of barometric-based altimeter readings between the flagship models from Garmin, Suunto, and Casio. Now that the technology has normalized, the ABC watch game will be won in other areas.

For me, those areas include:

Battery life
Ease of use / menu structure
Button functionality while wearing gloves
Visibility of the watch face in bright sun
Size and weight
Durability
Price

In all of these areas, I’ve found the PRG-270 to keep up with the best of them. The watch is recharged by solar power, the menu system is intuitive (I didn’t need to read the instruction manual), the buttons are the most functional for gloved hands of any brand I’ve owned, the watch face is easy to read in bright sun (I have the PRG-270B-1 model, which has an inverse face), it’s light enough for wrist use (2.4 oz / 67 g), and a great price (less than $125 on the street). It feels durable enough to take a beating, and online reviews from owners certainly validate that – in fact, there seem to be many more positive testimonies of durability and low failure rates for the Casio PRG-270 than just about any model ever built by Suunto or Garmin.

The only thing it’s missing (for now) is fitness performance integration and GPS, which Casio (incompletely) addresses using smartphone integration in its STB watch line. If Casio has a hankering to enter the outdoor fitness watch market, currently dominated by Garmin (Fenix), Suunto (Ambit), Polar (V series), and Fitbit (Surge), they may built a positive following with the PRG-270 – but they’ll be chasing the technology leaders for now.

But if you’re looking for a basic ABC watch that is rugged, easy to use, accurate, and functional, the Casio PRG-270 is among the very best available – and is certainly offers the best value-to-performance ratio on the market.

Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 8

Outdoor news: stories, gear, trips, and more!

Introduction

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”.

Read the full report and interview on Sidetracked Magazine.
Visit Ray Mears website.

Hiking in Kauai

Diane Soini decided to pack for her vacation as if it were a backpacking trip even though the trip would mainly consist of day hikes and snorkeling. Hawaii is a beautiful place to backpack. Many of the trails skirt the edges of cliffs overlooking the thundering sea below. Waterfalls cascade around and when you add into the mix some snorkeling what is left to be desired?

Read the full report and interview on Gossamer Gear.

Expedition Shorts

WHAT’S IT LIKE ON THE MOON? – Mary Anne Hobbs caught up with Captain Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the Moon.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

HOW SHACKLETON PITCHED HIS EXPEDITION… (ha! you thought I was going to type “shelter”) – Sir Ernest Shackleton made the case to fund his Antarctic Expedition to a potential donor on the back of a program.

Photo of the Week

High Country Guides shows us the proper way to hang a bear bag using the PCT method. Thanks!

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the photo immediately below, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

Proper bear bag hang using the PCT method. I like to use oven bags to line the inside of my stuff sacks. Helps keep the oder in the sack. Because loosing your food in the #backcountry could be a very bad thing especially if you are several days out! #hiking #ul #ultralight #backpackinglight #camping #sierras #California #outthere #highcountryguides

A photo posted by Troy Meadows (@high_country_guides) on Jan 5, 2015 at 6:50pm PST

Skills

Reclaim Your Vision

Struggling from myopia (nearsightedness)? The solution may be simpler than previously thought. Turns out that children who spend lots of time outdoors seem to have better eyesight than those who are mainly indoors. It seems as though the sun’s rays are nurturing to the eyes and promote their health. Vitamin D whose production is stimulated in sunlight may be the most important factor to maintaining healthy eyes. Other considerations such as level of fitness and overall health play a role, but researchers seem to pinpoint lack of time in the sun as the primary reason for the loss of vision.

Read the full report at BBC News.

Sleeping in a Bivy

People approach bivy camping hesitantly. It just seems weird to sleep out in the open, right? But it doesn’t have to be…Despite the concerns, bivys perform well enough in a rain storm, you don’t have to sleep “alone” – others can join you in their own bivys, and you are not more vulnerable than a tent. Bivys are a useful backpacking tool that will cut down on weight and give you a light and functional sleep system.

Read the full report on Fevered Mutterings.

Skills Shorts

WORLD BOULDERING CHAMPION TRAINING DAY – Need motivation to start training? You shouldn’t anymore.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

6 TIPS TO HANDLE A WHITEOUT – Staying calm and being up on your nagivation skills are a few of the tips compiled by the Brooks Range Blog to managing a winter storm.

Gear

Looking for a New House?

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

One small caveat: you have to be able to get by with one bedroom. In Amsterdam, where rent prices are too high, people tap into their creative side to find places to live. Heijmans One are non-permanent dwellings which can be assembled or disassembled in a day. They are elegant at least by standards typically used to evaluate squatters’ housing. Truth be told, you probably couldn’t put one in your pack but as far as lightweight gear that you use every day it could have a place.

Read the full report on FastCoexist.com.

Nordic Skates Revamped

Looking to get out on the ice this winter? Consider this skate setup that uses Möja bindings which are versatile – they can be combined with telemark boots (or some other boots with some kind of toe lip). Dual use gear is common on our circle, but this might open up some new options for backcountry travel by ski and skate…

Read the full report on LeftBound.com.

Gear Shorts

$300 GEAR LIST – If you are on a budget or new to backpacking here’s a gear list from pmags.com to wet your whistle and get you going.

L.L. BEAN ULTRALIGHT 850 DOWN JACKET REVIEW – Section Hiker reviews this jacket that is a great for hiking or looking stylish around town.

People

Chat with Chris Figenshau

For the last 20 years, Chris Figenshau has been succeeding in an industry that’s very tough to do: action sports photography. His mountaineering and photography skills lead him to get a job with Warren Miller, and since then his career has taken off. He has worked with most major ski companies and magazines and recently helped film Teton Gravity Research’s (TGR) film Higher which is set in Nepal and features a ski of the a very unique peak dubbed the “Shangra-La Wall”. TGR caught up with Chris recently to get his take on the film, his techniques, and life in general.

Read the full report on Teton Gravity.

Interview with Jon Muir

Adventurer Jon Muir has been exploring our world for the last 39 years. His successes include treks to Everest, across Australia, and both poles. His adventures have come with a healthy dose of perceived “failure” including multiple attempts to reach Everest and cross Australia. For Muir however, these “failures” have been rewarding by pushing him to his limits and helping him learn about himself and our world. In his eyes, the real tragedy is not trying something because of a fear of failure. Alastair Humphreys “sat” down with Jon for an interview covering his favorite adventures and why he has explores so many different modes of human powered travel (e.g., he has kayaked, skied, and climbed), his recommendations for planning your own adventure, and why he always has another adventure lined up.

Read the full report from Alastair Humphreys.

People Shorts

SNOWBOARDER NARROWLY AVOIDS AVALANCHE – A snowboarder at Hatcher Pass triggered an avalanche and quickly boarded to safety, but captured the seriously huge slide with his action cam.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

FACING YOUR FEARS – Emily Bell signed on to be a member of the support team for Sean Conway who was trying to swim the length of Britain. One problem: she is terrified of water.

Walking in Nepal

Desperate for an authentic Nepalese experience, the author takes to the less-traveled trekking routes to learn about himself and the area’s beauty.

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Beyond Our Boundaries: Episode 22

Follow the story of a family of five as they backpack over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine.

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Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 7

Backpacking Light has scoured the web and will now bring you salient backpacking news stories, gear releases, and trip reports.

Introduction

Read the full report on sidetracked.com.

How Much Does it Cost to Climb Mt. Everest?

Climbing the most famous and tallest mountain in the world is expensive. With travel, gear, climbing permits, logistical support, and training Mountain Everest is one expensive cookie. Well surprisingly (or maybe obviously) the cost depends on which of the two popular routes to climb Everest you take. The more expensive route begins south of Everest in Nepal and will cost you almost $15,000 more than the north side from Tibet due to salaries for support staff and climbing permits.

Read the full report on outdoorlife.answers.com.

Expedition Shorts

JUMP START YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS – Undoubtedly, many of us made New Years Resolutions to get outside more often. With our busy lives this can be daunting. Consider Alastair Humphrey’s Microadventures designed to simplify the process and get you outdoors.

MT. EVEREST TIBET ROUTE AS SEEN FROM SPACE – A new photograph taken from space shows the popular Northeast Ridge route from Tibet, over glaciers to the summit of Mt. Everest.

33 DAYS ACROSS ALASKA – Some friends link up for an adventure across the Wrangell St. Elias National Park.

Photo of the Week

Hike Venture shares this great photo of Iceland. Needless to say it is now clear why it is named as such.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the photo immediately below, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

A bit of #ice in #Iceland | #hiking #backpacking #microadventure #adventure #nature #outdoor #outdoors #wild #blue #clouds #sky #backpackinglight

A photo posted by HikeVentures (@hikeventure) on Nov 11, 2014 at 2:50am PST

Skills

How to Face Uncertainty and Adversity on Your Backpacking Adventures

Most backpackers are well aware of the inherent danger in backcountry travel – that scenarios that can be handled by a car trip to the hospital can quickly become compounded by the remoteness and rugged terrain of the backcountry often with devastating results. Many of us have faced these scenarios and are fine today, but the internet is littered with examples of when things went badly. We understand the great risk and yet Nature keeps calling to us and we are helpless to not heed her call. However as in many worthwhile things in life, it is not a matter of if but when we will face extreme adversity in the wilderness. In BPL’s wilderness trekking school we strive to develop a mindset known as tolerance for adversity and uncertainty. This is the most important part – realizing that you will be ok and that you have the power to overcome the obstacle is the first step to surviving. In addition to a victory mindset, preparation and having the skills to face the challenges are of crucial importance. These skills include first aid, physical health and strength, and discernment to keep yourself out of unnecessary danger. We love the outdoors but we want to continue to enjoy them so don’t put yourself in danger and if you end up there be ready to fight for survival.

Read Wes Siler’s tips on creating a mindset and fostering skills to emerge victorious when things go wrong on indefinitelywild.com.
Josh Mathe in his recent article for BPL discusses the techniques necessary to train your brain and body to overcome limitations.

How to Take Photos in the Winter

Rob Sheppard, who grew up in Minnesota has developed a knack for taking photos in snow and ice. While learning photography on the banks of the Great Lakes with the wind swirling around him as the cold temperatures numbed is bones, Sheppard developed a love for the capturing the outdoors not shared by “fair-weather” photographers. He learned how finicky photography can be in the winter as the snow acts like a mirror by reflecting colors at an equivalent angle to viewer. Over the years, he has mastered snow and ice photography learning how to boost subtle colors during low-light settings. From batteries to gloves, he also has some great tips on techniques to dealing with winter photography in general.

Read his photography tips on outdoorphotographer.com.

Skills Shorts

MOUNTAIN BIKERS USE RACE CARS, TOY CHUTES, AND ARROWS TO FILM EPIC LINE – Your only limit is your imagination. These mountain bikers made a professional quality film demonstrating that a low budget doesn’t need to diminish the quality of your videos.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

CERTHERO.ORG HELPS YOU GET CERTIFIED – Launched by adventurers Logan Randolph and Sam Aarons, Certhero.org makes it easy to find certification courses in your area. Read Brian Green’s report.

People

Interview with Rosie Swale-Pope

Alastair Humphrey’s interviews Rosie about her unsupported 20,000-mile, 4-year run around the world. With only her trailer Icebird to keep her company, Rosie was the first ever to complete this journey doing it in memory of her husband who passed away from prostate cancer as a means to cope and to raise money and awareness. Now she is running across this U.S. – this time for fun! Try to keep up with this fiery 68-year-old and you may be out of luck. She inspires us to chase our dreams and its never too late.

Read the full interview on alastairhumphreys.com.
Visit Rosie’s website.

An Unbreakable Spirit for Adventure

Adventurer and photographer Jim Harris suffered a paralyzing crash while training for an expedition in Patagonia just about a month ago. He has been recovering and healing from his injuries in a Cincinnati hospital. Over the years, Jim’s love of the outdoors pushed him to do great things. He says he’s not fearless rather he enjoys exploring and putting himself out of his comfort zone because that has forced him to grow. A staff writer for Cincinnati Times caught up with Jim while in the hospital and learned more about his life and his passion for the outdoors.

Read the full report on cincinnati.com.

People Shorts

MAN “CLIMBS” MT. EVEREST TO SUPPORT DAUGHTER – James father of Charlotte who suffers from cerebral palsy is walking a local English hill 75 times (equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest) to raise funds for a treatment that will allow her to walk.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

110 OUTDOOR AMBASSADORS PROJECT – So far 74 people have been chosen as they have shaped our sport to what it is today. If you have someone in mind to nominate visit gearjunkie.com.

2014 Staff Picks

Backpacking Light’s staff is some of the most passionate backpackers around. Take a look at the ultralight gear we use and treasure.

Introduction

An annual tradition! The BPL Staff Favorites identify the 3 pieces of gear for each of us that has impacted us most in 2014. We hope you enjoy and wish you all the best for the New Year. Don’t forget to add your own favorites in the forum below!

Summary Table: Staff Favorites


Doug Johnson	Suluk46 Tica Ice Tool	Kovea Spider Stove	Golite Shangri-La 5
Dave Chenault	Bluewater Canyon Pro rope	Paradox Unaweep 3900	Alpacka Scout
Roger Caffin	NB 1210 Leadvilles	Basic Baseplate Compass	Deejo knife
Kevin Sawchuk	Hoka One One	Trail Designs Sidewinder ULC	Buff
Eric Vann	Altra Lone Peak Shoes	Feathercraft Baylee Packraft	Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400
Ryan Jordan	Dynafit PDG / Madshus Eon AT Nordic Ski System	NeoAir Xtherm Pad	Sony RX100 Camera

Doug Johnson

Suluk46 Tica Ice Tool

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $175
5.1 oz / 146 g (68 cm length)

I have one of the original Tica Ice Tools- #26 and pre-Suluk 46, back when Steve Evans was first creating amazing gear. I studied this carbon fiber and titanium wonder as Steve developed it within the BackpackingLight forums, and stood amazed when I first held it in my hands. It made my previous ultralight axe feel like a tank and it is a piece of gear art. Since then, it has been my faithful companion on every non-technical climb or scramble. It disappears on a pack, so it joins me when I’d sometimes leave an axe at home. It self-arrests and self-belays with conviction, and has joined me across many glaciers and alpine routes. The newer version has some key improvements, most notably shaft plugs to keep the snow out. I LOVE this tool.

Kovea Spider Stove

Learn more Here.
MSRP: about $65
6.0 oz / 146 g

My favorite winter stove for years was my trusty Coleman Xtreme. But as the canisters became more and more rare, it was time for a change. Enter the Kovea Spider, a stove from Korea.

This remote canister stove allows standard canisters to be run upside down, ensuring a liquid feed that will work into lower temperatures and higher altitudes (much like the Xtreme). This stove also works great for groups, and was an excellent performer on a 10 day canoe trip in the Bowron Lakes, BC with my family last summer. It simmers beautifully and boils quickly as well. I have yet to put it to work melting snow, but I’ll test this out soon enough!

Support BPL and buy the Kovea Spider Stove at Amazon.com.

Golite Shangri-La 5

Unavailable
5 lb 10 oz / 2551 g (fly, pole, bug tent)

I was first drawn into ultralight backpacking via the Ray Jardine designs manufactured by Golite in the late ’90s. Sadly, after 16 years as a manufacturer of many classic ultralight products, Golite closed shop in 2014. Of the many Golite products I have used and loved, one of my favorites is the Shangri La 5 shelter. A pyramid tent with optional bug netting or floor, this is a highly versatile shelter that works equally well in the snow as it does as a group or family tent. In the last 5 years, this is my tent that gets the most usage by far. At 5.5 pounds with the bug netting, it’s not the lightest pyramid around, but it gobbles up my family of four with ease and is comfortable as a backcountry playroom as well. I love this shelter, and I’m sad to see Golite go. My best to Kim, Coup, and all of our friends at Golite- thanks for the great adventures.

Dave Chenault

Bluewater Canyon Pro rope

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $179
3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg

The Canyon Pro (renamed Zion Pro) is still the lightest and the most durable canyoneering rope available, making it ideal for multiday missions. It adds minimal weight to already heavy packs, resists coreshots to a degree that makes it easy to not take any backup, and wears so well over the years that the high upfront cost will end up being a net savings. The orange color features well in photos and is easy to find if you drop the coiled rope in a pothole. It is fast, especially when new, and is thus not ideal for beginners, especially on longer single-strand rappels.

Support BPL and buy the BlueWater Canyon Pro Rope at Amazon.com.

Paradox Unaweep 3900

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $339
3.25 lbs / 1.5 kg

The Paradox suspension is by far the best I’ve used; it’s elegantly minimalist and carries 20 pound overnight loads and 80 pounds of deer meat equally well. Coupled with a spare, yet functional bag made of durable materials and you have a category buster which renders everything but small daypacks redundant. The Unaweep can truly carry anything you can fit in it or strap on it, so long as your legs are up to the task. My favorite aspect of this versatile load hauler has been being able to take on lots of group gear. Feeding my friends when they packed light on food, hauling my wife’s packraft, and carrying food and technical gear for my mother on a Grand Canyon trip have all been highlights of the year which the Unaweep made easy. The 3900 size, in my preferred VX42, has a Talon compression panel.

Alpacka Scout

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $545
3 lbs 10 oz / 1.6 kg with the tie downs glued in

The Scout is not the most versatile packraft, and is not the boat I’d pick if I could only keep one. However, it is my favorite, because of its modest size and weight, and because the style it demands, open boating on more moderate waters far from the road, invariably makes for my favorite trips. It is tough as nails like the other Alpackas, and perfectly capable in class 3 so long as you’re in a position to not mind getting soaked. The Scout does require aftermarket tiedowns for pack and seat attachment, the only thing I’d like to see Alpacka change. That I was one of the last to squeak in before multi-stripe orders became extra only adds to the sentimentality. Besides, if Captain Morgan (aka BPLer Morgan Rucks, pictured here at the APA Packraft Roundup) approves you cannot go wrong.

Roger Caffin

NB 1210 Leadvilles

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $125
11 oz / 315 g per shoe for size tested

These shoes were developed by New Balance for the Leadville high mountain race, and were reviewed in September 2013 here. The US size 10, 4E width were reviewed.

You will note from the photo that New Balance used Vibram soles for these shoes: an interesting departure for them. They normally use a royalty-free in-house sole. It would seem that these shoes have been very popular items and are still on sale in some places, with possibly more to come next year. (Yes, that is a hint for 2015.)

Since the review my wife and I have bought (yes, actually spent our money!) several more pairs, and we wear them daily on our morning training runs. They are not showing much sign of wear and are very comfortable. Of course, with that Vibram sole, they also grip very well.

Support BPL and buy the New Balance Men’s MT1210 NBX Trail Running Shoe at Amazon.com.

Basic Baseplate Compass

Retailers and manufacturers would love you to buy a large heavy and certainly expensive compass, but instead I go for the simplest and lightest one I can find. The photo shows a Brunton 7DNL which was reviewed here in January 2010, but please do not take this as anything more than an example. There are plenty of other brands which are just as good – and some are much cheaper. In fact, some of the inexpensive no-name units do look very similar to some of the more expensive brand-name ones: a different door on the Chinese factory maybe? Yes, I have bought and used them as well.

The features you need for good navigation are the baseplate (not very big), a smoothly rotating ‘capsule’ so you can set the local declination, the liquid fill inside the capsule to damp the needle rotation so it settles quickly, and the N-S lines inside the capsule. With this sort of compass I can navigate to within a degree or two – and so can anyone else with a bit of practice. One last feature I strongly recommend: that loop of good nylon string through the corner hole, so the compass hangs around your neck. A compass buried inside your pack is of very little use.

Does this mean I am labelling as useless all those heavier features like mirrors, lenses and prisms and other do-dads? Yep, sure does. They add weight and cost, but you won’t be navigating any better with them. Good navigation is a combination of a compass to align the map, a good topo map, and some practice. Don’t forget the practice! In fact, in fine weather, I often navigate (very well thank you) using the sun and a rough idea of the time of day.

Support BPL and buy the Suunto A-10 Compass at Amazon.com.

Deejo knife

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $26
0.5 oz / 15 g

This knife, along with its bigger (35 g) brother, were reviewed in Jun-2014 here. There were some comments after the review that the steel was not the hardest knife-steel available – perhaps not, but mine has kept its edge quite well over a lot of use.

So why am I including this knife here? Because it is so neat and light (but very sharp and effective) and I find it in my pocket so very often. Crocodile Dundee bowie knives are all very well in the movies, but who actually carries one? For 99% of my needs this one is fine. Forget the machismo theory: look at real life use. OK, it’s a bit small for chopping up loaves of French bread – fair enough.

Ah yes – that rather sharp point: often used for minor surgery, like digging out splinters. Much more effective for that than a traditional SAK.

Support BPL and buy Deejo Knives at Amazon.com.

Kevin Sawchuk

Hoka One One

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $160
12 oz / 340 g each

While these shoes suck on difficult cross-country involving steep side slopes, climbing and hopping from rock to rock, they are spectacular in protecting your feet and legs on steep and rocky trails. They are pricey, but I’ve usually gotten 600-700 miles out of each pair making them similar in cost/mile to most trail runners.

Support BPL and buy the Hoka One One Running Shoe at Amazon.com.

Trail Designs Sidewinder ULC (ultralight cone)

Currently unavailble
MSRP: $40
4.5 oz / 128 g

Although currently not available this small cone stows in my BPL 1100ml pot providing a very lightweight and compact cooking system. While not optimized for wood burning it’s not hard to figure out how to prop this system on rocks to make it work in a pinch. If you bug Rand he may be willing to bring this back!

$40 (when available) 1.3 ounces (cone and stakes), 4.5 ounces (including pot, lid and esbit “gram cracker” stove).

Buff

MSRP: $20
1 oz / 28 g

From washing to drying, sun protection to adding a touch of warmth a Buff is nearly always with me in the outdoors. I especially love them in the winter when they do such a good job of protecting my face from reflected sunlight.

Support BPL and buy Buff Headwear at Amazon.com.

Eric Vann

Altra Lone Peaks

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $120
10.9 oz / 310 g

I used these shoes (the 1.5 version) continuously this summer while encountering rugged terrain while in the Bob Marshall wilderness. The shoes were subjected to snow, water while packrafting and crossing streams, dirt, and tough rock. Other than fraying seams, the shoes behaved wonderfully and although it’s probably time for me to get a new pair of shoes I still use them often. I am impressed with their tread and durability, and definitely recommend them. Altra has also released their 2.0 version which I’m sure builds upon these strengths.

Support BPL and buy the Altra Men’s Lone Peak 2 Trail Running Shoe at Amazon.com.

Feathercraft Baylee River Runner

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $1275
6.5 oz / 2.95 kg

While a little bit on the heavier and pricier side for a packraft, the Baylee’s value is clearly long term due to Feathercraft’s emphasis on its durability. The boat is a little more robust than some of the similar, lighter Alpacka models which makes it ideal for beginners and for rivers lined with rocks and branches. We are beginning to use these boats almost exclusively at the Montana High Adventure Base where we take out Boy Scout troops and venturing crews because they allow us to give the scouts an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors by packrafting while ensuring their safety that comes along with a more durable boat.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $345
2.5 pounds / 1.1 kg

This is pack is great. I love its versatility. This summer while leading treks for Boy Scouts out of the Montana High Adventure Base, some people would give me a hard time for my “rucksack”, but by the end of the trip they were impressed with it’s as adaptability. Its shape allows you to pack the pack to hold bulky loads well plus its large volume (70 liters) makes it great for expeditions where you are carrying lots of gear and food. It has many tie down points for securing the gear to the pack or the pack to a packraft. Its water resistance makes it an ideal pack for packrafters. For those who like to have total control of how they pack their pack this one’s for you. It could use a few more exterior pockets but you can make your own (see here) or you can buy some form HMG.

Ryan Jordan

Dynafit PDG / Madshus Eon AT Nordic Ski System

Learn more about Dynafit and Madshus.
MSRP: $295 (skis), $850 (boots), $550 (bindings)
8.8 lb / 4.0 kg per pair of boots, skis, and bindings

In February, I wrote AT Nordic Ski Systems: Discovering the Best of Backcountry Nordic and Alpine Touring Systems Through Hybridization and introduced you to my hybrid AT Nordic rig – Madshus Eon Skis, Dynafit TLT Speed Superlite Bindings, and Dynafit Dy.N.A. PDG boots – a system that weighs only 8.8 lb per pair. The skis have a waxless base that prevents skin transitions on easy rolling terrain. Low-effort touring and ski-running come through biomechanical efficiency from with a boot cuff that rotates through a wide range of motion and unrestricted binding toe pin rotation. Unlocking the heel for the descents means that I have good control (better than normal!) on downhills. One of the system’s best features is that when the skis do have to be carried (e.g., when alpine climbing or low-elevation approach hiking) – the burden is light!

Support BPL and buy the Madshus Eon Ski and Dynafit TLT Speed Superlight Speed Touring Bindings and Dynafit PDG Ski Boot at Amazon.com.

NeoAir Xtherm Pad

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $200
15 oz / 425 g

I used to fiddle with multiple pads for winter snow camping. Some combination of my backpack, a partial-length foam pad, a torso-length inflatable, etc. I’ve since gravitated towards simplicity, and with the Xtherm, way more warmth. It takes up little space in my already bulky winter pack and gives me the rest and comfort I need for long, dark, cold winter nights. I’ve camped directly on snow with the Xtherm down to nearly thirty degrees below zero (F). Below about minus 15 (F), a 1/4” foam pad underneath the NeoAir is required as additional insulation, but I only bring that extra pad when the forecast is extra-cold. If I had to own only one pad for all-seasons, this would be it.

Photo: The morning after a -27 deg F night spent under the stars on a NeoAir Xtherm pad directly on the snow.

Support BPL and buy the Thermarest Neo-Air Xtherm Sleeping Pad at Amazon.com.

Sony RX100 Camera

Learn more Here.
MSRP: $799
9.3 oz / 263 g

I’m still on version m2 of the RX100 and can’t wait for it to break (I tend to shoot a lot in inclement and cold weather, so my camera’s lifespan is always limited) so I can upgrade to the m3! But I’m more than satisfied with the incredible performance-to-weight ratio of this little gem. A sharp, contrasty Zeiss lens combined with a high-resolution larger-than-average sensor, good manual controls, RAW capability, outstanding dynamic range, and terrific 1080p video at 60 fps make this my all-time favorite camera for backpacking.

Photo: Reconnaissance Lake, High Uinta Wilderness, Sony RX100 ISO 160, 10mm (28 mm @ 35mm equiv), f/5.6, 1/500

Support BPL and buy the Sony RX100M m3 Camera at Amazon.com.

Beyond Our Boundaries: Episode 21

Follow the story of a family of five as they backpack over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine.

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Rab Vapour-rise Lite Alpine Jacket review

The Rab Vapour-rise Light Alpine is an extremely well designed windshirt, but when compared with other similar weighted windshirts the value is tough to see. However when compared with other soft shells it quickly becomes irreplaceable.

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Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 6

Backpacking Light has scoured the web and will now bring you salient backpacking news stories, gear releases, and trip reports.

Introduction

Expeditions

Fatbiking the Land of 10,000 Lakes

In Minnesota in the winter, fatbiking isn’t a fad – it has become a way of life quickly replacing traditional nordic skiing as not only a means for recreation but as a form of transportation for active commuters. Several friends set off to explore the Northwest Trail, a demanding route that is more water than trail and in the winter is a real adventure for fatbikers. Fatbiking on frozen lakes is similar to glacier travel – there are always unstable areas waiting to pull you down below. To prepare for their 3-day, 120-mile journey, the friends practiced rescue techniques and the best methods to cross lakes. In the end their trips was a memorable one, and ironically the most harrowing experiences were found on the pavement in Duluth.

Read about the story on FreeHubMag.com.

Bikepacking Huayhuash Mountains

The Huayhuash Mountains in the Peruvian Andes are a famous, dry-season trekking route. Several friends decide to up the ante and bikepack this route during the raining season. While many groups have tried to bikepack this route most don’t succeed. This group was determined to have a different result and despite the setbacks and challenges the trip was a huge success.

Read the interview with PassionPort.com.

Photo of the Week

Hendrik Morkel takes this shot as the sun sets on his English adventure.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the photo immediately below, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

The MLD TrailStar pitched high in the English #Lake #District. | At the end of my #Lakeland #traverse I had another blue bird day with gorgeous sunshine. I decided to stay up in the #fells above #Windermere and have a leisurely evening #outdoors before heading back to #civilization the next morning! #England #LakeDistrict #ultralight #shelter #tarp #tent #gear #sun #hills #hiking #backpacking #backpackinglight #camping #MLD #trekking #TrailStar #hillwalking

A photo posted by Hendrik Morkel (@hendrikm) on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:50am PST

Skills

5 Essential Winter Survival Skills

It’s no surprise the margin for error in a winter expedition is much smaller than the summer. Inclement weather easily handled in the summer months can quickly compound even the smallest of setbacks. Having a solid foundation of winter survival skills can make a huge difference and help to successfully mitigate those challenges.

Read the list of 5 key survival skills as compiled by SectionHiker.

World Record Slackline

Alexander Schulz the new world record holder in slacklining recently set the record with his 100 m-high, 375 m-long slackline between two limestone pillars in the Chinese province of Guangxi. The trailer below is for the upcoming documentary which will follow Alexander’s journey and his pursuit of the record.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

Skills Short

Make your own environmentally-friendly Christmas tree – Forrest McCarthy describes a method to having (making) a “real” Christmas tree without cutting one down.

Gear

Ultralight Running Gear List

What do you need to run a 50 mile race? Well it obviously depends on the location, but for the North Face 50 Mile Championship Andrew Surka compiled this ultralight gear list. The race attracts the world’s best ultrarunners and is a grueling event that forges mental toughness and spurns those who do not prepare.

Read about Andrew’s gear list for the 50 miler.
Take a look at his fresh take on his 50 mile race.
And finally read about the deepest and most talented field ever.

La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX Boots

Chris Brinlee Jr used these boots over the course of several months in varying locations testing the boots durability and warmth. Although not lightweight from the most stringent sense, these 31 oz boots are used by hikers and climbers all over the world and offer warmth and stability.

Read the full review on indefinitelywild.com.

Other Tidbits

#THISISHOWJESUSDIDIT – Hikers in Slovakia found a lake with ice so clear that you can see to the bottom.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

The CDT needs your help! – The CDT coalition coordinates with local, state, and federal governments to build the CDT, and needs your help to finish the last 32 miles.

How do you travel in the snow? – These winter stereotypes are a bit extreme yet entertaining. GearJunkie compiled a list of common methods for winter travel.

Fatbiking in the winter. Photo used with permission of gearjunkie.com.

Fake Bears and MTB – In the original version of this digest, we posted an almost-awesome video of a mountain biker being chase by a griz, but we learned later that ’twas a faked GoPro film. We got suckered! File it away under “xmastime is busytime, editorial fact-checking gives way to eggnog and … well, spending time out of the office in the beautiful fresh snow of Montana!” But check out THIS vid, which shows the awful trickery involved in faking this vid:

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

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.

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Winter Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): Ultralight Winter Snowcave Camping

A lightweight approach to traveling light in the winter on snowshoes.

2014 Update

Update: This article was originally published in January 2004, and was updated in December 2014. This update reflects changes that I’ve made since the original gear list was published, based on changes in my personal preferences and/or significant evolutions of material technology or design.

These changes have resulted in impactive benefits for me:

A simpler kit that requires less fiddling to use;
A warmer kit for less weight that reflects changes in choice and performance of materials in clothing and sleep systems;
A lighter pack – in fact, a pack that is about five pounds lighter today than it was ten years ago.

Of course, more experience gives me more confidence to use lighter gear. That realization shouldn’t be overlooked when analyzing your own progress as a lightweight backpacker over a period of years.

Context

Seasons: Winter, Early Spring
Length of Trip: 3-Day Weekend

The gear list provided below is one example of how a lightweight backpacker might select equipment for a 3-day weekend outing in temperate mountain ranges in the winter. Inherent assumptions in this list include:

Several feet of unconsolidated snowcover on the ground;
Overnight low temperatures of zero to fifteen degrees;
Daytime highs not above freezing;

Relatively flat terrain free of avalanche risk.

Inside a makeshift winter snowcave built adjacent to a forest of shallow snow (snowpack is only about 5 feet deep). First, a trench is built, then a lattice of dead wood is laid in an arch fashion over the trench. The final step: pile a layer of snow across the lattice several inches (at least 8-12″) thick. The result: a warm, insulating shelter that is easy and quick to build.

Gear Notes

This list focuses on camping inside a snow cave. With enough snow cover, snow caves are the fastest, warmest types of snow shelters available. Properly built, a snow cave gives you the flexibility to use three-season gear to remain warm, which can save a tremendous amount of weight. However, this approach requires an exceptional level of skill in locating a site for, and properly building, a snow cave. In addition, snow caves can be wet enough to warrant the use of a highly water-resistant sleeping bag shell or bivy sack if you are using a down sleeping bag. Finally, digging a snow cave is wet business: waterproof raingear, or all-synthetic insulating clothing, may be warranted. An important disclaimer: if you are caught with an equipment kit like this and are unable to build a snow cave, or you build one improperly, you will subject yourself to severe risk of hypothermia if conditions are extremely cold. In context, it is important to note what constitutes an improperly built snow cave. Primarily, a properly built snow cave is one that is just large enough for the number of occupants (less volume to maintain a thermal mini-climate), has thick enough walls for proper insulation (generally, considered to be two feet), has a properly located entrance (below the level of the ground surface so warmed air doesn’t escape), and proper blocking of the entrance (with packs, a hung jacket, etc. to minimize cold air exchange).

In a snow cave, conditions are very damp. They tend to be quite humid, gear has no ability to dry, and dripping walls tend to get sleeping gear wet.

In 2004, when this list was originally published, I wrote:

Consequently, I have selected synthetic insulation in my clothing and sleeping bag, and have added a water resistant bivy sack to shed some of the external moisture. I have specified an insulated clothing and sleep system that will allow me to survive a night outside the snow cave, if a cave cannot be built. This system has been used to comfortably sleep at winter temperatures down to minus 10 degrees F outside of a tent. If the risk of spending a night in the open is very small, and you are a competent snow cave builder, I recommend that you save further weight with a lighter sleeping bag. I have spent nights down to zero degrees using the clothing specified in this list in combination with a two-pound synthetic bag rated to 40 degrees F (Integral Designs Andromeda Strain).

With advances in the moisture resistance of down, and the increase in breathability of water-resistant fabrics, I’m more inclined to go with a down bag with a highly water-resistant shell on it, and to skip the bivy sack (unless I know there is a very high likelihood of being caught in the open outside the shelter of a snow cave in stormy conditions).

In addition, the 2004 list included a white gas stove, as originally written:

I have elected to bring a white gas stove over a canister or alcohol stove, for its improved efficiency in melting snow. Snow cave environments are usually warm enough such that both white gas and alcohol stoves work well; however, a white gas stove has the power to melt several liters of snow quickly, and if I need to melt snow while still traveling at midday, and conditions are cold, I appreciate the power of a white gas system.

Significant advances in both inverted canister (i.e., liquid-feed) and integrated canister stoves have been made since then, and they now occupy standard spots on my winter gear list. In particular, my favorite solo winter stove is the MSR WindBoiler – a tiny little thing that has enough juice to rapidly deliver hot water from snow for a hot drink or meal in an emergency. Because it boils a small volume so rapidly, it’s a successful stove for a solo traveler, even in very cold conditions. In the warmth of a snow cave, or even an 18-inch deep “snow pit” out in the open, the warmth of the stove maintains plenty of thermal feedback to keep the canister from freezing and slowing down the boil.

Other important changes since 2004 (strike-outs indicate what was originally written):

~~I have selected wide mouth water bottles for their ability to resist freezing in the opening, and the wide mouth caps are easy to handle with gloves or mittens.~~ I’ve seen (and experienced) enough failures of Nalgene Cantenes in the field that I am hard pressed to recommend them. However, aside from using hard-sided bottles, they still seem to be the “best of what’s available” for soft-sided wide-mouth bottles, and have enough durability to at least last for short trips…
~~I’ve chosen a hybrid LED headlamp with a high-power (1-watt) LED to give me the flexibility of navigating after dark, not an uncommon occurrence in the winter.~~ There are so many good LED headlamp options that I can’t cover them all here, but the age of hybrids is over. I’ve simply selected a high-performing, bright, 1-LED lamp that can be fueled by lithium batteries for cold weather performance.
The clothing system has been simplified to three layers for the torso and two layers for the legs. This assumes two states of being in cold, foul weather: moving hard (traveling) or being still (camping). If your level of fitness is below that which might be required to stay warm on the move by moving fast, an extra traveling layer should be considered.

Some examples of brands and models/styles are listed below for reference only. They neither represent an endorsement of that particular product nor a suggestion that the product listed is the best choice in the context of any particular situation.

Changes from 2004 to 2014 are indicated by ~~strike~~ (2004) and bold (2014).

Clothing Worn
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
thin hat	thermal headwear for active conditions	thin PowerStretch balaclava	1.5 oz
active shirt	bicomponent ~~wind~~ shirt	~~Rab V-Trail Top~~ Patagonia R 0.5 Hoody – lighter, more breathable	~~12.0 oz~~ 8.5 oz
underwear	trim-fitting support shorts, boxer-style	Nike Spandex Running Short Tights	3.0 oz
active pants	soft shell stretchwoven long pants	~~Arc’Teryx Gamma MX~~ Patagonia Simple Guide Pants – lighter, more breathable	~~18.0 oz~~ 15.2 oz
gloves	~~windproof~~ waterproof, insulated gloves	~~Cloudveil Icefloe Gloves~~ Arc’Teryx Beta AR Gloves (warmer, waterproof)	~~5.0 oz~~ 7.2 oz
snow socks	ultralight thin, ski-style sock	Smartwool Ultralight Ski Socks	4.0 oz
gaiters	~~breathable gaiters~~	~~Outdoor Research Flex-Tex~~ none – not needed with overboots (see below)	~~4.5 oz ~~0.0 oz~~~~
boots	insulated snow boots	~~Baffin Tundra~~ Inov-8 Roclite 286 GTX Boots + Forty Below LIght Energy TR Overboots – lighter and warmer system	~~48.0 oz~~ 42.0 oz
Other Items Worn / Carried
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
ski poles	~~one piece~~ adjustable, carbon fiber, with snow baskets	~~Stix X1 with Nordic handles~~ Black Diamond Razor Carbon with snow baskets – more durable for long term use	~~8.0 oz~~ 21.0 oz
snowshoes	large deck model for deep snow	Northern Lites Backcountry 30″	43.0 oz
whistle	pealess whistle on Spectra cord	Fox 40 Mini Whistle, AirCore Plus lanyard	1.0 oz
watch	compass / altimeter watch	~~Suunto S6~~ Casio Pro-Trek PRG-270B – easier to use, esp. with gloves on	~~1.3 oz~~ 2.1 oz
Other Clothing
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
storm jacket	~~soft shell stretchwoven~~ hardshell jacket	~~Cloudveil Icefloe~~ Patagonia M10 – lighter, less restrictive	~~20.0 oz~~ 8.1 oz
insulating jacket	~~synthetic~~ down high loft insulating, hooded pullover	~~Integral Designs Dolomitti Parka~~ Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Jacket with Pertex Endurance Shell – lighter, warmer	~~23.0 oz~~ 19.0 oz
insulating pants	synthetic high loft insulating pants with side-zips	~~Integral Designs Denali Pants~~ Patagonia DAS Pants – lighter	~~20.0 oz~~ 15.3 oz
warm hat	wool beanie cap	PossumDown Beanie	1.5 oz
warm mitts	~~insulated~~ mitts	~~Integral Designs Down Mitts~~ MLD eVENT mitten shells to go over gloves, extra pair of dry fleece glove liners – same weight, more versatile system with less duplicity	5.0 oz
Sleep System
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
snow shovel	suitable for digging a snow cave	SnowClaw Backcountry Snow Shovel	5.4 oz
bivy sack	~~waterproof bottom, breathable top~~ none	~~Bozeman Mountain Works Quantum X Bivy~~ Gossamer Gear Polycro Ground Cloth	~~6.5 oz~~ 2.0 oz
sleeping bag	~~synthetic~~ down, rated to 10 °F	~~Integral Designs North Twin PrimaLoft sleeping bag~~ Englightened Equipment 10 °F winter quilt – lighter	23.0 oz
sleeping pad	full length ~~closed cell foam~~ inflatable pad	Cascade Designs ~~Ridge Rest~~ NeoAir Xtherm Sleeping Pad, Full Length – warmer, more comfortable	~~14.0 oz~~ 15.0 oz
sleeping pad	~~torso sized inflatable mattress~~ – not needed	~~Bozeman Mountain Works ComfortLite~~	~~10.0 oz~~ 0.0 oz
Packing
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
backpack	backpack with 30-lb carry capacity	~~Granite Gear Vapor Trail~~ Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400 – more comfortable, simpler, better snow and water shedding with less water absorption	~~32.0 oz~~ 34.0 oz
stuff sack	~~250 ci~~ 700 ci for clothing	~~Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack~~ Hyperlite Mountain Gear XL Cuben Fiber	~~0.25 oz~~ 0.5 oz
stuff sack	~~250 ci~~ 700 ci for clothing	~~Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack~~ Hyperlite Mountain Gear XL Cuben Fiber	~~0.25 oz~~ 0.5 oz
stuff sack	~~500 ci for sleeping gear~~ 700 ci for sleeping gear	~~Bozeman Mountain Works SpinSack~~ Hyperlite Mountain Gear XL Cuben Fiber	~~0.25 oz~~ 0.5 oz
Cooking and Water
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
stove	~~white gas~~ inverted canister	MSR ~~SimmerLite with pump and windscreen~~ WindBoiler – faster, easier to use	~~11.0 oz~~ 15.3 oz
fuel container	~~titanium~~ 8 oz net canister	~~MSR Titan Fuel Bottle, 0.6L~~ (empty weight of canister)	3.5 oz
~~cook pot~~	~~2L cookpot (large enough for melting snow)~~ 1L pot included above in stove weight	~~AntiGravityGear 2L Pot with lid & cozy~~	~~8.0 oz~~ 0.0 oz
~~drinking mug~~	~~16+ oz capacity drinking mug~~	~~Snow Peak 21 oz titanium mug~~ Stove pot works great as an insulated drinking mug	~~2.8 oz~~ 0.0 oz
utensil	spork	~~Vargo titanium spork~~ Light My Fire Titanium Spork	~~0.5 oz~~ 0.6 oz
lighting	matches & 2 lighters	Bic lighters (2) & storm matches in 4″ x 7″ Aloksak	1.5 oz
water bottles	1.5L soft bottles with wide mouth lids	Two 48-oz Nalgene Cantenes	5.0 oz
food storage	waterproof bag	12″ x 15″ Aloksak	2.0 oz
Other Essentials
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
maps	custom printed on waterproof paper	National Geographic Topo!	2.0 oz
light	LED headlamp, suitable for nightime navigation	~~Princeton Tec Yukon HL with lithium AA batteries~~ Fenix HL22 – lighter	~~7.0 oz~~ 3.0 oz
first aid	minor wound care & meds	assorted wound & blister care and medicines	2.0 oz
firestarting	emergency firestarting – waterproof	Sparklite & firestarter in 4″x7″ Aloksak	1.0 oz
sunglasses	100% UV blocking, plastic lenses/frames	~~Julbo~~ Native Dash SS – lighter, more comfortable	~~1.0 oz~~ 0.5 oz
goggles	lightweight ski goggles for blizzard travel	Bolle Zoopla	3.0 oz
anti-fog	for glasses & goggle care	anti-fog balm, cleaning cloth	1.0 oz
sunscreen	100% UV blocking, waterproof, paste	Dermatone	1.0 oz
personal hygiene	assorted toiletries	toothbrush, soap, toilet paper, non-alcohol hand gel, in 4″ x 7″ Aloksak	2.0 oz
Consumables
FUNCTION	STYLE	EXAMPLE	WEIGHT
fuel	~~white gas~~ canister fuel, 2.5 days	6 3 oz / day	~~15 oz~~ 8 oz
food	2.5 days	32 oz / day	80 oz
water	average carried	1.5 quarts	48 oz

Weight Summary
(1)	Total Weight Worn or Carried	~~9.33~~ 9.28 lb
(2)	Total Base Weight in Pack	~~15.53~~ 11.41 lb
(3)	Total Weight of Consumables	~~8.94~~ 8.50 lb
(4)	Total Initial Pack Weight (2) + (3)	~~24.47~~ 19.91 lb
(5)	Full Skin Out Weight (1) + (2) + (3)	~~33.70~~ 29.24 lb

Berghaus Vapourlight Hypertherm FZ Jacket Review

The Vapourlight Hypertherm Jacket is an incredibly versatile jacket which can be worn in reverse to accommodate multiple weather conditions. It is ideal for a hiker who wants to leverage one piece of gear.

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Beyond Our Boundaries: Episode 20

Follow the story of a family of five as they backpack over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine.

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Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 5

Backpacking Light has scoured the web and will now bring you salient backpacking news stories, gear releases, and trip reports.

Introduction

Expeditions & Trips

McCarron to Ride the Rio Santa Cruz

Leon McCarron, an adventurer and filmmaker from Ireland, is traveling by horseback along the Rio Santa Cruz from the Atlantic Ocean to the Patagonian ice cap – a thousand-mile journey that should take him about a month. Leon is a fellow of the Royal Geographic Society and has a handful of impressive human-powered expeditions under his belt already, including a crazy and beautiful traverse of the Arabian Desert, which was featured in the award-winning film “Into the Empty Quarter” with Alastair Humphreys.

Follow Leon’s Rio Santa Cruz journey online at his blog: leonmccarron.com

Watch the film Into the Empty Quarter online

Read Leon’s epic book The Road Headed West: A Cycling Adventure Through North America

Leon McCarron press photo. Used with permission of leonmccarron.com

2015 Bob Marshall Wilderness Open Details Announced

BPL member and contributing author, Dave Chenault announced the details about the 2015 Bob Marshall Open on his site. The Open is not a race but it is an opportunity to travel through some of the most rugged country in the lower 48. The posting was received with enthusiasm as BPL members and visitors to Dave’s site began commenting and posting to share their approval and excitement.

Read about the details on Dave’s site: bedrockandparadox.com

Read BPL forum posts: backpackinglight.com

Bob Marshall Wilderness used with permission of Dave Chenault.

Expedition Shorts

WASHINGTON POST REPORTER EXPLORES PATAGONIA – After years of trying to make this journey happen, Erin Williams and her husband plan 20 day expedition in the mass of wilderness compromising Argentina and Chile – Patagonia. It was an escape from the mainstream world filled with distractions and very devoid of nature. At the end they were ready to stay a while longer and soak in the beauty. Read more at the washingtonpost.com RUSSIAN EXPLORES SEARCH MYSTERIOUS CRATER – Russian explores descended into a mysterious crater in Siberia to search for clues as to its origin. The crater which was discovered in July is 54 feet deep. The crater had not stabilized until recently when it froze allowing for its exploration. Scientists hope to use the data and measurements collected to determine what caused its formation. Read more and view pictures at nationalgeographic.com MOOTHEW EXPLORES ROYAL ARCH ROUTE – Moothew on Vimeo just posted a video from his trip on the Royal Arch Route: IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good. Royal Arch Route from moothew on Vimeo. CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF 2014 – Summit Photos of 166 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers from the 2014 Season at appalachiantrials.com. TRAIL SHOW TELLS THE LATEST ON THE TRANS-ADIRONDACK ROUTE – Learn about the Trans-Adirondack Route on the latest episode of The Trail Show. ANTARCTIC EXPLORER’S NOTEBOOK FOUND IN MELTING ICE – Century-old notebook from Robert Falcon Scott’s legendary Antarctic Expedition found in the melting ice. Maybe one small benefit of global warming? Maybe?

Photo of the Week

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the photo immediately below, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good. High Country guides takes to the Desolation Wilderness in California for tenkara fishing, brook trout, and stunning scenery.

Catching #brooktrout in the lake Lois drainage #california #sierras #tenkara #fishing #flyfishing #ultralight #ultralightbackpacking #backpackinglight #DesolationWilderness #hiking #highcountryguides A photo posted by Troy Meadows (@high_country_guides) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:50am PST

Skills

Budgeting Time in the Mountains

Planning a backcountry adventure requires that you know at least a little bit about your route – its topography, terrain, and season govern the amount of time that you’ll spend traveling, biking, paddling, or skiing it. AMGA-certified mountain guide Donny Roth offers his perspective for estimating travel times while backcountry skiing in the mountains. Check it out – it’s good, solid skills, and the drawings are epic.

Learn More at Backcountry Magazine

Skills Shorts

NEWS FLASH: TREKKING POLES MAKE HIKING EASIER – In all seriousness though, trekking poles are often overlooked when planning an expedition. Trekking poles can make a big difference when hiking by improve your endurance and your safety. The are a great piece of gear and can be used to pitch your shelter. Indefinitelywild explores there many uses.

MAKE YOUR OWN MANLY AX HANDLE – Art of Manliness explores the best way to carve your own ax handle from a log.

Gear

Products Using PrimaLoft Performance Down Blend now Hitting Stores

PrimaLoft announced in January at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2014 that it has blended synthetic fibers with water-resistant goose down to create a hybrid blend that is now showing up in products this fall. Keep your eyes peeled as performance reviews start to trickle out.

Learn More at Primaloft.com
Read about this technology in Sports Illustrated
On the Market: the Under Armour Men’s ColdGear Infrared Turing Jacket featuring PrimaLoft Performance Down Blend insulation in a trim-fitting, ultralight insulating jacket with a reflective lining

Patagonia & Yerdle Team Up to Put Used Gear to Good Use

Through its $20 Million & Change investment fund, Patagonia is investing in Yerdle, a mobile app where people give away things they no longer need, earning “Yerdle Credits” to use in shopping for what they want. Yerdle makes it easy to save money and reduce waste. Do you have unused camping and hiking gear? Consider “Yerdling it…” Learn more at Yerdle.com | Download the Yerdle App in iTunes

MSR WindBoiler vs. Jetboil Sol

It’s all about performance in wind. The fundamental differences in design between the WindBoiler and the Jetboil can be simply distilled: how exposed is the burner to wind? The MSR? Not so much. The Jetboil? Oops. The WindBoiler is destined to become … dare we say it … king of the Alpine? At high winds, a few ounces simply don’t matter. Hikin’ Jim breaks it down at his fantastic blog Adventures in Stoving.

Gear Shorts

HAMMOCK GIFT GUIDE – Gearjunkie.com published a Hammock Gift Guide that doesn’t go into great detail or exclusively focus on ultralight gear, but gives a nice peek into hammock camping gear.

SECTION HIKER DOWN JACKET REVIEW – BS Alert? A blogger may have sipped a bit of marketing Kool-Aid during his review of the Big Agnes Third Pitch Hooded Down Jacket Review when it control-cee-and-veed from the BA catalog copy about “revolutionary” tubes of down.

PETE AND CO. RELEASE THEIR NEW WINTER JACKET – Looking for a winter-worthy down jacket at the bleeding edge of high performance? Check out the K-Series Yukon from Pete and Co. if you have extra coin and are serious about expedition-worthy gear that isn’t made in China, actually holds up to extremes, and can be customized just for you.

PALEO BACKPACKING MEALS – The Jolly Green Giant takes a look at Paleo Meals for Backpacking.

Other News: Tidbits

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

TRAILSIDE GAMES HAS A GAME FOR YOU – Trailside Games has a stocking-stuffer (assuming you have a stocking that big enough to hold the outdoors) for you this season: “Backcountry: The Game.”

Backcountry The Game- AT Promo from Trailside Games on Vimeo.

JOB OPPORTUNITY IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY – Hyperlite Mountain Gear is looking to hire a Marketing Manager. Live in Maine…surrounded by Cuben Fiber…c’mon, what’s not to love?

ANDREW SURKA HOSTS REDIT AMA – Reddit fan? Join Skurka at a Reddit AMA on December 6.

OUTPADDLE THE APOCALYPSE WITH THE APLACKALYPSE – Gear Junkie reviews Alpacka’s new white water raft, the Alpackalypse.

Alpackalypse packraft in action. Used with permission from GearJunkie.com.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

JEREMY COLLINS DRAWS HIS OWN STORY – Jeremy was happy and had a wonderful life but he wanted more…He wanted to live adventurous and experience things outside the bonds of society. This trailer shows his journey.

GOBBLING ON THE TRAIL – It’s not too late to celebrate Thanksgiving on the trail with these great recipes.

IMPORTANT: If you don’t see the video immediately below, or see a “Sorry…” message in the video player, just click this link to refresh the page, and you’ll be good.

BANFF FILM FESTIVAL TRAILER – Alastair Humphrey’s Film chosen for Banff Film Festival. Trailer below:

In the Forums

BIKING THE JOHN MUIR TRAIL – Bored? Grab some popcorn and help solve the First World Problem of whether or not we should be able to Mountain Bike the John Muir Trail.

BPL MEMBERS SHARE BACKPACKING TIPS – Looking for some tips to improve your backpacking experience? This forum has tips on for everyone. Learn how to stay hydrated during your drive out from the trailhead, to how much chocolate you should bring on a trip, to the best packing tips.

THE BEST MOUNTAINEERING GEAR AS TOLD BY BPL MEMBERS – Hanging from a ledge and wondering if you have the right gear? Don’t let this be you! Read what gear you should bring before you go mountaineering.

BEST WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HANDS WARM – Keeping your hands warm in the winter is obviously important but it can be hard to find the balance between promoting warmth and causing sweat. Read these tips for keeping those fingers working.

Clinker: A story of hardship and triumph on the AT

Cheryl McCormick at age 63 decides to conquer one of the most famous thru-hikes, the Appalachian Trail. Her story inspires us all and reminds us to chase our dreams.

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Beyond Our Boundaries: Episode 19

Follow the story of a family of five as they backpack over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine.

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Vertex Solid Fuel Stove Review

A solid fuel/alcohol stove that folds flat for storage and assembles into a rock-solid structure for stable cooking.

Introduction

I’m intrigued by solid fuel tablet and alcohol stoves to the extent that they can save weight and bulk in your kit, and, especially with solid fuel stoves, provide a measure of simplicity in form and operation.

To that end, I’m not so enamored by stoves with lots of little parts and pieces that the user must fiddle with to create something resembling a whole “stove” – in addition to the stove itself, there may be some type of windscreen, pot stand, base, etc. and by the time you arrange the little bits, you realize that some of the simplicity that you were seeking has been lost.

Thus, there is some degree of benefit with a stove that functions as a single unit, with the windscreen and pot stand integrated into a stable support structure.

The Vertex stove achieves this – sort of. It consists of three metal sheets that fit together with tab-and-slot connections. On the trail, then, some assembly is required – not much, but the fact that I have to “assemble” and “disassemble” my stove takes away some of the aesthetic appeal for me.

Once assembled, however, the stove is structurally rock-solid, and assuming the ground surface is reasonably level, it can easily support a big dutch oven full of water (it’s just an illustration…).

Vertex Solid Fuel Stove Review Jordan - 1
The Vertex stove includes a support plate for a solid fuel tablet (left). This plate can be replaced with an alcohol stove, as well, at which point it effectively becomes a pot support/wind screen for an alcohol stove. The pot sits atop the Vertex stove (right), which provides some shielding from wind for the fuel flame, but no function as a windscreen protecting the bottom of the pot.

Highlights

The Vertex stove packs flat when disassembled and stows into a 4″ x 7″ flat nylon storage bag.

Stainless sheet metal, tab-and-slot assembly, and solid structural design make this a sturdy, stable stove when assembled.

Solid fuel tray can be removed and replaced by an alcohol burner (Trangia, homemade soda can stove, etc.)

Wind screen and pot support are integrated into the design, not requiring extra pieces.

What to Consider

The 2.0 oz weight (including the stow bag, but not an alcohol burner) makes it pretty light … but not ultralight. Many, many other alcohol and solid fuel stoves are much lighter. A titanium version would likely hack 40% off the weight and be more appealing to gram-counters.

The need for assembly and disassembly may be an aesthetic barrier to some who seek ultimate simplicity through minimal fiddling in their equipment systems.

The stove measures about 5 in x 3 in x 3 in when assembled, and about 6 in x 3 in (flat) when disassembled (over time, as the stove becomes increasingly exposed to heat, the steel sheet develops some curvature that prevents it from stowing perfectly flat). So whether assembled or disassembled, don’t expect to stow it in your solo-sized ultralight cook pot.

Performance

It’s kind of funny to talk about “performance” of a solid fuel stove, because they are pretty limited in their capabilities due to low flame power and its sensitivity to wind. Any solid fuel stove system must take advantage of minimizing heat loss, minimizing flame exposure to wind, and in cold temperatures, ensuring that the lower part of the cooking pot is encapsulated.

In the absence of serious attention and engineering paid to heat transfer (the Trail Designs Caldera system comes to mind), the application of solid fuel stoves is limited to fair weather, warm temperatures, shelter-cooking, and very small water volumes.

The Vertex stove performs well enough under wind-free “summer” conditions (“warm” temperatures and “warm” water) for water volumes of a half liter or less, but as with most solid fuel stoves, the slightest breeze or colder conditions of the fringe seasons overwhelms it. On a recent back-porch test outside my home in Montana, with 16 oz of 35 deg F water in a 0.6-L titanium pot, 40 deg F outside temperature, and 1 mph of wind, I was unable to bring the water to a rolling boil before the 14g Esbit cube burned out. (It’s worth noting that when I wrapped the stove and part of the pot in an external windscreen, I was able to boil water under these conditions).

My Take

I could do without the assembly and disassembly requirement, and would prefer that the stove was simply an assembled “unit”. Of course, this makes stowage problematic for the Vertex, since its oblong shape makes it too wide to fit into most solo-sized cooking mugs. A stove that was circular in shape might suffer from less stability, but could be stowed more easily into a small pot.

I’d be willing to give up my need to avoid assembly if one significant change was made: allowing the pot to be supported below the top edge of the windscreen (“inside the stove”), rather than on top of it. This would allow for more heat transfer to the bottom and lower sides of the pot, and a more efficient stove that could work better in colder or inclement weather. This of course would make it far less versatile (several models of stoves would have to be offered for different pots) and would change this from a mass-market to a niche cottage product, requiring domestic manufacturing (the Vertex is currently made in China).

And while it seems ridiculous on some level to consider tenths of ounces problematic, I can’t get over the fact that the Vertex stove could also be made with titanium and save at least three quarters of an ounce.

In summary, I found the Vertex Stove to be worth a look – it’s well-designed, aesthetically beautiful, as stable as any alcohol or solid fuel stove on the market, and performs well enough for thru-hikers and others who have limited or casual hot water needs during the summer season.

Lightweight Backpacking News: Digest No. 4

Backpacking Light has scoured the web and will now bring you salient backpacking news stories, gear releases, and trip reports.

Trips

A Breath of Arctic Air

Finn and Niall McCann take to the mountains and the skies for an epic adventure. Speedwings combines several sports into one, adrenaline-packed mountain excursion. Participants ski the approaches, mountaineer and ice climb the peaks, and speedwing down into the valleys. Speedwings are similar to a big hang glider and you fly them with skis on so you can glide upon landing. Finn decided to pursue this kind of adventure after injuring his hand and no longer being able climb. At first he was distraught that he had lost his pastime but he soon realized that now he could pursue any activity he wanted. This is an important lesson for all of us. Often life will throw us a curveball and our perspective dictates how we will respond. We can curse our lot or embrace the new opportunity – it’s all up to us…

Paddling the Ganges in a £50 kayak

Tim Hobin purchased this kayak off eBay and set off for an exciting adventure. Covering 1000 km in a month, Tim was amazed by this the holiest river in the world and how the new and old world collided around it. He was awed by the temples and humbled by the excited children who swam to intercept and greet him. He took the trip to prove to himself (and everyone) that you are never too late to challenge yourself and even at age 50 you can work hard for 8-10 hours a day for month and love every minute of it.

Love on the Rocks: Italy’s Alta Via 2

Brendan Leonard tells the story of his trip to Italy’s Alta Via 2 in the Dolomites, a popular hiking location for climbers. Besides the adrenaline-enriched climbs and the staggering views, Leonard shares his trip with a beautiful Italian model/hiker/climber named Jen. The experience leaves him to wonder about his life and his relationship with Hilary back in the states. In the end, he gains clarity in his life and is better because of it. That’s the beauty of the outdoors – it gives us a fresh perspective and reminds us what’s important.

BPL Member Eric Moll’s interactive hike map

BPL member Eric Moll has come up with a cool way to share his hiking trips with us. His interactive map allows you to click on all the places he has hiked and read more about them. It is a cool way to organize hikes. Check it out!

Techniques

You’re lost! Here are ways to get found!

Going out in the woods is very rewarding and fun, but inherent danger due to restricted access to advanced medical care can quickly compound serious and even semi-serious injuries. These suggestions by Wes Siler are great tips for getting help when you are injured and out of service. Of course the best option, is to tell people in advance where you are going. Leaving a detailed itinerary with a route and campsites is a sure way to give people a good idea of where you will be.

12 Winter Camping Tips

Philip Werner of Section Hiker created this list of 12 winter camping tips. These relatively simple tips can make a world of difference and when applied will promote warmth and health while cold-weather camping.

Tasty Recipes destined to make your backpacking trips more enjoyable

Afterall, food does make a big difference on a trip. These recipes created by Sarah of TrailCooking.com like smoked salmon pasta or the cheesy rice should add some flavor to your warm meals. Enjoy!

Tips to Backpack more efficiently

How often do you find yourself setting up camp in the dark after a long, seemingly-manageable-distance day on the trail? Do you feel like the planning for your trip was spot on but maybe things fell through in the execution? If so, the above article written by BackpackingEngineer.com are fairly obvious and yet often underutilized. Learning to seamlessly apply these to your backpacking trips can make a difference and help make it more enjoyable.

Gear

The Best Sleeping Pads

Wes Siler tested 24 of the newest sleeping pads and categorized them as the best for every camper. There is the best pad for the ultralighter, the winter camper, the car camper, and the cheap camper. The pads were put through a baseline test: all were slept on a hardwood floor to prevent unfair comparison due to actual varied terrain. Then the grueling part began, Siler’s dogs were unleashed on the pads and tested “by tooth and nail”. The one caveat is all pads are full-length and inflatable as the author only wanted to test the most comfortable pads.

Sarek: Gear Analysis

In our first Lightweight Backpacking News Digest, we shared the story of two Swedish hikers who visited Sarek National Park. This is the follow up issue published by Backpacking North which takes a look at the gear used by the hikers. It is a detailed look at the weights and uses associated with each piece of gear including the clothing, photography gear used to capture this stunning environment, shelters, and miscellaneous gear.

More from the scree field

Backpacking Light now endorses motorcycle backpacking – the human powered form:

We have officially decided to endorse motorcycle backpacking, thus starting a brand new era for BPL. pic.twitter.com/inIVoCoE5X

— backpackinglight (@backpacking) November 18, 2014

(cred to @bonafidechicken for passing this along) Glacier NP Wall Map – Jake Bramante, Glacier National Park trails expert and map publisher, announced the release of a beautiful wall map of GNP and its trails. » Hike734.com Senate Defeats Bill on Keystone XL Pipeline in Narrow Vote – After passing the House, the Senate shuts it down by one vote. The narrow victory is a win for conservation and environmental groups, and a bitter loss for Republicans. Mountain House brings us a fun hack via Twitter @MtnHouse:

#Campinghack: Cut up a straw & fill with antibiotic ointment, toothpaste, or spices for single-use packets. Use a lighter to seal the ends. — Mountain House (@Mtnhouse) November 18, 2014

Killian Jornet is a Spanish ultrarunner who has ambitions to run – yes, you read that right – up Everest. NBD, he’s already shattering records in some of the highest places on Earth, including Denali. » Read Christopher McDougall’s profile of Jornet at Outside Magazine

Patagonia Provisions (@PatagoniaProv) suggests that tsampa may very well be a viable culinary baselayer. Hikers: let’s explore this in new recipes. Hard to argue with the photo, we wouldn’t mind eating some of this in the backcountry:

Tsampa is the perfect “baselayer” for creativity. We add veggies & bean sprouts, you? #howitsampa Photo: @AmyKumler pic.twitter.com/x3FeEKFCcw

— Patagonia Provisions (@PatagoniaProv) November 18, 2014

Quotable

“It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” -Edmund Hillary, New Zealand mountaineer (thanks to @ehansen9 and @jeremyhanks for passing this along).

The Range of Light: Fastpacking the John Muir Trail in Under a Week

Fastpacking the John Muir trail is a grueling yet rewarding challenge. Nevertheless, the main benefits are the lessons learned throughout the process that can be applied to your life.

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Sonim XP7 Ultra-Rugged Smartphone

Features / Claimed Specs:

Glove Usability

Battery Life in Cold Temperatures

Operation in Cold Temperatures

Summary

Fenix HL22 Single-AA Headlamp

Casio Pathfinder PRG-270

Introduction

Top Stories

Hiking PCT in Winter

First Solo-Summit of Denali

El Capitan’s Dawn Wall

Top Stories Shorts

Expeditions

Wabakimi Provincial Park

Hiking in Kauai

Expedition Shorts

Photo of the Week

Skills

Reclaim Your Vision

Sleeping in a Bivy

Skills Shorts

Gear

Looking for a New House?

Nordic Skates Revamped

Gear Shorts

People

Chat with Chris Figenshau

Interview with Jon Muir

People Shorts

Introduction

Top Stories

Climbing El Capitan Via the Dawn Wall

Why the Founder of Patagonia Opposes Dams

Icebergs of Antarctica

Top Stories Shorts

Expeditions

BikePacking and Packrafting the Wrangells

How Much Does it Cost to Climb Mt. Everest?

Expedition Shorts

Photo of the Week

Skills

How to Face Uncertainty and Adversity on Your Backpacking Adventures

How to Take Photos in the Winter

Skills Shorts

People

Interview with Rosie Swale-Pope

An Unbreakable Spirit for Adventure

People Shorts

Introduction

Summary Table: Staff Favorites

Doug Johnson

Suluk46 Tica Ice Tool

Kovea Spider Stove

Golite Shangri-La 5

Dave Chenault

Bluewater Canyon Pro rope

Paradox Unaweep 3900

Alpacka Scout

Roger Caffin

NB 1210 Leadvilles

Basic Baseplate Compass

Deejo knife

Kevin Sawchuk

Hoka One One

Trail Designs Sidewinder ULC (ultralight cone)

Buff

Eric Vann

Altra Lone Peaks

Feathercraft Baylee River Runner

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 4400

Ryan Jordan

Dynafit PDG / Madshus Eon AT Nordic Ski System

NeoAir Xtherm Pad

Sony RX100 Camera

Introduction

Top Stories

Zion Slot Canyons

Montana Land Package Passes