Backpacking

Quest for the Ultimate Ultralight Knife Never Ends:

This offering (The Ti Minimalist’ with 2 5/8” – 67 mm blade) from Kestrel Knives gazumps my chosen Kabar Johnson River Piggyback (http://www.theultralighthiker.com/new-knife/) It weighs 14 grams including the sheath, compared to the Piggyback’s 36.5 grams. Of course it is also 10 times the price, so I probably won’t be making the switch soon. Still,

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Massdrop:

Is an online retailer that sells niche products to enthusiasts at a discount. If you’re not familiar with them you should sign up on their website and check out the member deals that they’re offering. They’re one of the few retailers that sell ultralight backpacking gear at a good discount. https://www.massdrop.com/my-communities/drops

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Leatherman ‘Squirt’:

I have long carried the Leatherman ‘Micra’ (still do). This is the very best tool for cutting toenails on the trail. Also handy for a million and one other things: cutting up fish, splinters, opening bottles (you can use the bottle opener backwards as a can opener, repairing your glasses, etc. http://www.theultralighthiker.com/leatherman-micra-multitool/ The ‘Squirt’ with

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Upper Yarra Track Side Trip: Poverty Point:

From the Thomson River Bridge/s (‘Thomson Station’) you can walk a lovely 8 km circuit up along the West bank of the river then down along the East bank. If I were walking the entire UYT I would come down to Thomson Station as soon as it joined the Mormon Town Track and walk up

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Hiking Meals: Continental Hearty Italian Minestrone

  & Hearty Garden Vegetable CupaSoups Soups: I have long lamented the dreadful quality (and undeserved price) of pretty much all backpacking meals. That’s why I have largely concentrated on recommending good supermarket meals which fill the bill: well-priced, tasty and nutritious, good calories per gram ratios, quick, energy efficient and easy to prepare &

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Upper Yarra Track Glamping: Baw Baw Overnight Hike:

This is a beautiful glamping trip. You can walk from the Mushroom Rocks Carpark (just North of Erica – or from the Mt St Gwinear Carpark) to the Baw Baw Village in approx 5 ½ hours (our retiree speeds with overnight packs) each way. There is accommodation there year round, but at least three nights

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