Advanced Elements Ultralight Paddle
Check this out on Massdrop this morning for US$29.99 each (08/2018). You would be foolish not to buy a couple. I bought two. It will go very well with the Klymit packraft you should have bought from them some time … Continued
A Simple Backpacking Dahl
This simple dahl uses only dry ingredients you can buy very cheaply from any supermarket and store in a snaplock bag. It will make a litre of tasty nutritious dahl which will probably be more than you can eat. Ingredients: … Continued
DIY Dry Back Hiking Pack
Yes, you can have a dry back when hiking (and for pennies!) I saw this genius idea posted by AnticitizenPrime on the Reddit forum MYOG back in July. I have to admit I scrolled right past it then , but … Continued
Raincoat Shelter:
How to make your raincoat into a shelter. I hope you realise this is important as every year people die because they keep on wearing their raincoat instead of sheltering under it. I know when you are out in the … Continued
On the Tip of the Tongue
A magical 20C winter’s day yesterday, so time to try out Della’s new heart and my new pack http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-stout-hikers-pack-2/ with a walk in Wilson’s Prom NP, Gippsland, Victoria. I will let her begin: ‘Return to fitness #2: Beautiful winter day and … Continued
Big Agnes AXL Air Pad
Big Agnes were showcasing a new pad at the Outdoor Retailer show recently. The one on show was a full-length pad (20x72x3 inches thick – 50 x 180 x 7.5cm) weighing only 9 ounces (270 grams). It will be available … Continued
Thrilling Tales: 37 Days of Peril
You can survive: Truly alone in the wilderness: Lost in Yellowstone for 37 days pretty much without equipment, food, clothing or shelter. ‘After wandering away from the rest of the expedition on September 9, 1870, Everts managed to lose the … Continued
The Pocket Poncho Tent
I have completed my poncho tent in 1 oz/yd2 silnylon. It weighs a mere 185 grams – as you can see, and fits in my pocket – as the name suggests and the pictures show! This may be the smallest … Continued
Dual Action Survival Fish Hooks
Fishing in a hiking or survival situation is more about getting something to eat than fishing ethics or legality so you may want to make quite sure you do secure that piscine repast. These dual action fish hooks lock onto … Continued
Humping Your Bluey:
Much of this post comes from Richard Graves, Australian Bushcraft: ‘The swag (or ‘bluey’) is the proverbial means of carrying a load and it is one of the best methods in existence. It has the advantage of being extremely well … Continued
The Stout Hiker’s Pack
This pack carries better than any pack I have ever owned. I just bought it: a Montane Ultra Alpine. It weighs 500 (stripped) to 610 grams and claims to be 38 + 5 litres though it looks to me as … Continued
Ultralight Shoes
I have been trying out a pair of Topo brand trail shoes. The ones I wanted were the Terraventure but the shop did not have them in my size so I bought a pair of Athletic Mountain MT2s for A$130. … Continued
A Fair Chase:
I see it is two years since I first posted this. As a result of my experiences of the last two weeks (http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-silence-of-the-deer/ & http://www.theultralighthiker.com/avon-river-walking-track/), I feel that it needs a revisit: Moose Country, Fiordland NZ: Looking down over the Jane … Continued
Wonnangatta-Moroka Trip Cut Short
Originally posted 2/08/2011: ‘Back early from three days’ hunting/hiking in Wonnangatta-Moroka NP due to sore toes (Have to do more research into boots) and accidentally taking the three-quarter length Neoair mat which was a bit harsh on my bad back. … Continued
Fizan Compact Trekking Poles
These are not the lightest trekking poles, but they are amongst the shortest when folded which can be important when you want to fit them inside luggage or inside your pack. At US$59.99 (July 2017) they are one of the … Continued
Ultimate Blades for the Ultralight Hunter:
Throw the lightweight P.D.K. (Precision Disposable Kit) into your hunting pack and forget about it—until you drop that 8 pointer. This set of disposable utility hunting razor blades features four (#60) blades with protective plastic sleeves like scabbards (See video … Continued
Massdrop Shipping
Some time ago the shipping calculator disappeared from the main page of this wonderful site, so I have not been game to make a purchase because I did not know how much I would be charged for shipping. Eventually I … Continued
A Hiking Food Compendium:
Folks are always asking me, ‘What do you eat on the trail?’ I have posted about this again and again, but I just thought I would bring all my posts about this together as one compendium. When you get tired … Continued
Avon River Walking Track
Good News: Della: ‘My steady return to fitness: After 5 weeks of cardiac rehab and a couple of weeks of mainstream fitness training (on top of our usual daily walks), today I tackled my first real bushwalk in 5 months. … Continued