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Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

You are here: Home / Archives for News / Essays and Commentary

Essays & Commentary

Insightful and provocative opinions about wilderness philosophy, issues, and techniques; also introspective writing about lightweight backpacking or wilderness philosophy.

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Beginner’s Mind: A Lifelong Ground Sleeper Takes to the Trees

Feb 13, 2020 by Andrew Marshall

After a lifetime of pole-supported shelters and sleeping pads, I’d decided to give hammock camping a try.

hammock camping, Kammok, philosophy, shelter systems

Buy Less, Do More with Good Enough Gear

Feb 11, 2020 by Rex Sanders

What you’re really hooked on is the dopamine rush from buying and trying new gear – which doesn’t last very long.

grandma gatewood, philosophy

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What is ultralight backpacking? (how we talk about ultralight)

Jul 14, 2019 by Ryan Jordan

To me, ultralight backpacking is the idea that one should solve a problem using as little as possible, but that which is used to solve the problem should be as effective as possible. Defined as such, the actual weight of individual pieces of gear, or one’s pack, matters less, and takes a back seat to the performance-to-weight ratio of a piece of gear.

philosophy

2018 Year in Review

Dec 31, 2018 by Ryan Jordan

Our 18th year of publishing has brought some exciting new things to our community! Here’s a review of our top highlights from the last year, and what’s coming up in 2019.

National Monument Reduction: What Are We Really Losing?

May 20, 2018 by Tucker Ballister

Late last year, United States President Donald Trump took action for national monument reduction in Utah, Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante. This article explores the issues.

Bandelier National Monument, bears ears coalition, bears ears national monument, Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, cinder cone national monument, devil's tower national monument, Donald trump, George h.w. bush, Gifford Pinchot, glen canyon, gold butte national monument, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Henry David Thoreau, hetch hetchy, John F. Kennedy, John muir, lake Powell, lake tahoe, Lassen volcanic national park, mike lee, national monument, organ mountains-desert peaks national monument, orrin hatch, petrified forest national monument, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Ryan zinke, Theodore Roosevelt, ute Indian tribe

Minimalist Footwear for Backpacking? (Video)

May 19, 2017 by Ryan Jordan

This vlog features commentary by Backpackinglight.com Founder & Publisher Ryan Jordan about the applicability of minimalist footwear for backpacking.

altra, hoka, merrell, minimalist footwear, vibram

Hiking with my Dad

Jun 18, 2016 by Eric Vann

Specimen Creek Trail, Montana

Hiking with your father – or if you’re a dad, hiking with your kids – is restorative, healing, and builds strength in your relationship.

What we can all learn from each other: A cross-disciplinary approach to backpacking skills

May 12, 2015 by James Long

Preppers, Primitive Skills, the Military, and Hunters are all groups of people that have learned to thrive outdoors in their own way. Backpackers can take lessons from these other groups to make them more successful.

Ultralight Hunting: Towards a Coherent Definition

Jan 28, 2015 by David Chenault

Much like the ultralight backpacking movement, ultralight hunting is beginning to grow in popularity due to gear innovation as hunters look for a more holistic hunting experience. As new gear begins to push the envelope, we turn our discussion to a what is the definition of ‘ultralight hunting’?

backcountry hunting, sul

Delmar’s Poll

Jul 8, 2014 by Roger Caffin

Delmar O’Donnell conducted a poll of BPL readers and teamed with Roger Caffin to relay the results which tell a lot about the BPL demographic and their backpacking preferences.

The Yellowstone Paddling Dilemma

Jul 1, 2014 by Chase Jordan

Hand Propelled Vessels are banned in Yellowstone National Park. This is in direct violation of the Park’s founding principles. Not only should HPVs be allowed on Yellowstone’s waterways but their presence will improve the health of the ecosystem.

The Grocery Sack Grows Up: A Genealogy of the Modern Ultralight Backpack

Apr 1, 2014 by David Chenault

From humble beginnings to the sophisticated and lightweight packs, the ultralight backpack is a tale filled with adaptation and pushing the balance of weight and features.

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