I’ve been juggling the role of outdoor educator and illustrator for the last 17 years, and the two careers end up contributing to each other. Most of my teaching experience is with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and most of my illustration work has been doing instructional cartoons for books and magazines with a focus on camping, skiing, and climbing. My introduction to lightweight backpacking came in 2005, when I received a phone call from Don Ladigin. He wanted me to do the illustrations for his book LIGHTEN UP! My first reaction was to say “No, thanks,” because I had just finished a series of instructional outdoor books, and they all ended up requiring hundreds of cartoons. I was sort of burned out. But, after talking with Don and reading his manuscript, I realized that this would be a really fun project, and I eagerly took on the job.
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Interview with Mike Clelland!
We are expecting Mike's new book in our Gear Shop next week!
That Mike Clelland! is one handsome dude!
A more important question. Where is Addie? She has been around forever, but now seems to have disappeared.
She pokes her head in once in a while, usually to introduce new articles.
Honeymoon.
I think she and Rob are doing a couple weeks in Hawaii about now. You know, a delayed honeymoon thing.
There was a digital banner image that I created featuring a photo of me in a stoic pose and some hand lettering.
Alas, the art-directorial staff at BPL edited my photo out and replaced it with a cartoon titled "NERD"
( oh well )
Congrats, looking forward to reading your book/cartoons!
Having met Sam a few times I would have to say that he looks downright ecstatic in that photo with Mike ;)
I have both "Allen and Mike's Really Cool Backpackin' Book" and "Lighten Up!" and I'm always referring to them whenever I have a question about something. They are excellent, and yes, Mike, they are FUN! I love the illustrations. My 97-year-old aunt got a big kick out of looking through both books, too!
I can't wait for the new book to be released. Thanks, Mike!
I could ligthen my pack by about an ounce if you'd share your technique with us. It's introspective and mindfreeing. I think I'd have to free my mind to try it though!
If I run out of TP, I can always rip pages out of a small backpacker book.
–B.G.–
Search "poo clinic" on youtube. Entertainment at its finest.
This is the definitive Clelland Master’s Course on how to poo outdoors:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/toilet_paper_free.html
Can't wait, Mike. Love your work!
I think Lighten up! is one of the best intro books for LWB. Can't wait to see the sequel! :)
And I've used the Telemark tips book quite a bit over the past three seasons. Any sloppy skiing is my own darn fault! :D
CONGRATULATIONS, Mike!!! :)
How many ounces did Mike save by shaving off that beard?
.000005678
So mike, did i read that right? You haven't been on a trip longer than a couple nights with an ultralight setup?
You read wrong.
He specifically details out a 10 day trip.
I tried to buy it via my Kindle app. No go. Is that because it will not be released until May or that it will not be available on the Kindle. Other books Mike has done are on the Kindle. Just wondering.
Mike, the books you've worked on have long been my favorite backcountry guides. Something about those boing marks! That and your pictures remind me of my art/illustration-loving childhood. Attention everyone– If you can't wait for BPL, head on over to amazon! It's there and ready to ship…woohoo !!!!!! """"""""""""""""""" '"""""""""""""""" !!
"You read wrong.
He specifically details out a 10 day trip."
"The short over-nighters are a great way to fine-tune my systems. But the real test is to put everything I’ve learned on these short little trips into something a bit more bold. This summer, I wanna do a ten-day trip with an ultralight set-up."
From the wording if that you could understand my question, David?
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