Last night I had the pleasure of giving a 'lightweight gear talk' to the members of the Upper Clutha Tramping Club. I took along most of my gear for members to view. One of my first suggestions was to buy scales, weigh all current gear and start up a spread sheet.
This week's Backpacking Light blog post from Ryan Jordan reminded me of another suggestion. He said, "One of the most effective
ways to see how much unnecessary crap makes its way into your pack is to lay it
out in a small space so you can see it all at a glance. When everything is
visible, it's easier to evaluate whether or not you need it than by just
looking at a gear list or spreadsheet.
I usually do this on the bed in the spare room a few days before a trip, frequently wandering in to make adjustments. Try it. It may help to get more weight down.
Remember, you are an adventure in paradise, not a pack horse!
This blog is designed to exchange ideas about how to dramatically cut your gear weight to make tramping (hiking) trips less strenuous, but still remain safe and sensible. Subscribe, make comments, ask for advice, or share your lightweight gear experiences with our community. The header photo features me on McKellar Saddle. The pack is the 45Lt Zpacks Arc Blast, hiking poles Helinox FL120, Dirty Girl gaiters, Spalms sunsleeves and Altra Lone Peak shoes
8 Jun 2016
Helinox Walking Poles
I have posted in the past how great these poles are. I have tried many poles over the years and it's difficult to find ultralight collapsible poles that have a degree of strength. In ultralight gear, there is always a compromise between these two continuum's.
Helinox poles have proven to be a good balance over the last couple of years and I have only had one breakage. This happened a couple of weekends ago on an overnight trip. The track (if you could call it that!) was muddy and slippery. I was coming off a drop and slipped. I used my right pole to break my fall and fell on heavily. braking the lower section.
I contact Helonix in Australia to ask if they provided spare sections and at what cost. To my utter surprise they replied with, 'yes, we have shipped one to you at no cost'. Covered 'under warranty' they said!
Is this customer service, will I be screaming their praises from the roof tops (and my blog), yes!
10 out of 10 Helinox - I hope you can feel the love all way from Wanaka NZ :-)
Helinox poles have proven to be a good balance over the last couple of years and I have only had one breakage. This happened a couple of weekends ago on an overnight trip. The track (if you could call it that!) was muddy and slippery. I was coming off a drop and slipped. I used my right pole to break my fall and fell on heavily. braking the lower section.
I contact Helonix in Australia to ask if they provided spare sections and at what cost. To my utter surprise they replied with, 'yes, we have shipped one to you at no cost'. Covered 'under warranty' they said!
Is this customer service, will I be screaming their praises from the roof tops (and my blog), yes!
10 out of 10 Helinox - I hope you can feel the love all way from Wanaka NZ :-)
12 Mar 2016
Yak Wool
OK us Kiwis are really 'sold' on Merino. But I came across a so called better product made out of Yak wool. Lighter, warmer but more expensive! This is a British outdoor company. Check out their gear at www.kora.net
Love to get your feedback.
Love to get your feedback.
27 Feb 2016
The Te Araroa Trail
It's arrived. The new 'coffee table' photo expose of the TA Trail.
What a stunning book! Mark has done an excellent job at capturing trail shots from different vistas than we normally see. I have include photos of the cover, plus a couple of internal page shots to give you an idea of the format.
What a stunning book! Mark has done an excellent job at capturing trail shots from different vistas than we normally see. I have include photos of the cover, plus a couple of internal page shots to give you an idea of the format.
Altra Lone Peak 2.5
In previous posts I have waxed lyrically about these wonderful shoes. Well, I have finally worn out my current pair, the Lone Peak 2 version (see previous post of some handy in field repair work).
My recent trip to the USA offered a perfect opportunity to purchase replacements. The 2.5 version certainly seems a bit more robust. Here are some shots straight out of the box. I did wear them everyday in the USA as we were doing a lot of street walking. So comfy!
I could resist including a shot of me modelling the Altras at the original 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign.
My recent trip to the USA offered a perfect opportunity to purchase replacements. The 2.5 version certainly seems a bit more robust. Here are some shots straight out of the box. I did wear them everyday in the USA as we were doing a lot of street walking. So comfy!
I could resist including a shot of me modelling the Altras at the original 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign.
2 Feb 2016
Sun Protection Arm Sleeves
A couple of week's ago I wrote a review on the OR Sun Gloves. From this review, several people alerted me to sun sleeves. I think if you hike in a long sleeve shirt, the gloves suffice. But if you're a T shirt hiker, these sleeves would be great on sunny days with, say suntan lotion on back of hands.
SParms are made from 90% Meryl Microfibre and 10% spandex. UV 50+, cool and quick dry and antibacterial. They were developed for golfers and many of the Ladies PGA players use them.
I know, you want to know the weight - how does 35 grams grab you?
These come on large, medium and small sizes, standard and extra long, plus colours. I got medium and extra long as my Icebreaker T shirt has short sleeves. There is quiet a lot of stretch, so you need to take that into account. This photo shows how far up my arm the extra long goes.
The cost was $A29.95, including postage $A37.23.
The website is http://www.sparms.com.au/
SParms are made from 90% Meryl Microfibre and 10% spandex. UV 50+, cool and quick dry and antibacterial. They were developed for golfers and many of the Ladies PGA players use them.
I know, you want to know the weight - how does 35 grams grab you?
These come on large, medium and small sizes, standard and extra long, plus colours. I got medium and extra long as my Icebreaker T shirt has short sleeves. There is quiet a lot of stretch, so you need to take that into account. This photo shows how far up my arm the extra long goes.
The cost was $A29.95, including postage $A37.23.
The website is http://www.sparms.com.au/
27 Jan 2016
Save Able Tasman
OK, who hasn't walked the beautiful Able Tasman track?
Remember Awaroa Bay and beach? Future walkers may not be able to access this area.
Find out why and how one person has a brilliant idea to keep this track section in public hands forever.
Go to https://givealittle.co.nz/project/abeltasmanbeach2016
I've throw a $100 into the fight - Even if you stumped up $10 - every bit helps us purchase this land and gift to DOC or Trust.
Remember Awaroa Bay and beach? Future walkers may not be able to access this area.
Find out why and how one person has a brilliant idea to keep this track section in public hands forever.
Go to https://givealittle.co.nz/project/abeltasmanbeach2016
I've throw a $100 into the fight - Even if you stumped up $10 - every bit helps us purchase this land and gift to DOC or Trust.
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