Over 900 posts all about light weight, ultra light hiking, backpacking, bush walking, bushwacking, hunting, fishing, tips, tracks, trails, adventures, gear, reviews...
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
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
I have been posting my DIY things for quite some time now. Thought you might like to see a collection of my ‘creations’. The Pocket Poncho Tent Raincoat Shelter: DIY Dry Back Pack Bathtub Groundsheet Chair Ultralight Poncho Tent … Continued
There is no doubt that one of the best ways to achieve ultralight hiking weight savings is if gear you carry serves several purposes. Thus for example,the Poncho tent I am working on (http://www.theultralighthiker.com/ultralight-poncho-tent/ and likewise the bathtub floor groundsheet/chair … Continued
My blog is two years old today. Many thanks to my daughter, Merrin for helping create and maintain it, and to my many readers and supporters for enjoying it. There are now 924 posts here, & probably 10,000 pages, so … Continued
Some folks are just downright suicidal, and sometimes I am one of them! In 2009 I had conceived a plan to be the first person (I think) to canoe the mighty remote Seaforth River in Fiordland NZ. I had a … Continued
Here is another neat trick. If you hold your hand out at arm’s length, the width of your fingers approximates to 15 minutes. You can use this to judge how long it is till sundown (and remember you have approx … Continued
Lots of people are misusing these tiny devices. I guess because they are (relatively) cheap, but really if you want to spend time in the wilds, spend some money to get a decent communication system eg either a satellite messenger … Continued
Another milestone today: my 900th post here at the Ultralight Hiker. I am just back from walking the Dusky Track in Fiordland as my recent posts no doubt inform you. It is getting harder and longer as I age, but … Continued
I modified our ancient 6’ x 4’ ‘box’ trailer to carry our two Old Town Pack Angler canoes and my 225 cc Yamaha Serow motorcycle. I achieved this with three simple ‘drop-in’ welded steel sections which come out/in in a … Continued
We were up that way during the week and happened to cross the East Branch on Webbs Track which is a 2WD road. This branch would not need very much more water (< 5 cm) to make it canoeable. You … Continued
Watch Kayakers Take a Beating In 90-Foot Falls. This would not be me! https://gearjunkie.com/kayakers-take-beating-tomata-two If you like this, you might like this book: ‘Hell or High Water: Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo River’ by Peter Heller. The title is a bit of … Continued
Some segments of our canoe trip from Waterford to Angusvale during the Australia Day holiday: https://youtu.be/CMtBLUUThso This section of the river is a simply stunning ‘wilderness’ trip easily enjoyed over three days when the river height is above @ 1.65 … Continued
We were so glad we stopped at the (first) Surprise rapid; The dawn was spectacular! As I went down to check the water just as the sun was lighting the hill to the East, its warmth caused the whole pool … Continued
The second day we ventured as far as the ‘Surprise Rapid’ which took us five hours (this is including brief halts for lunch, snacks, etc – and at retiree speeds), but mostly speed is related to water flow, and we … Continued
This is a truly wonderful section of the river. One of Australia’s greatest treasures and one of our last wild rivers! It took us fourteen hours (paddling and portaging) to make it from Meyers Flat (15 minutes below Waterford by … Continued
This is a quite committing section of the river. it also contains many hours of outstandingly beautiful, serene forest containing many beaches and grassy flats where you can swim or camp. It is likely to take you up to six … Continued
This is the second section downstream from the Kingwell Bridge. It takes about two hours including rest stops. It makes a delightful after-lunch canoe trip if you are camped at Black Snake Creek or at Kingwell Bridge. You put in … Continued
Ten delightful hours canoeing the beautiful Wonnangatta River from Kingwell Bridge to Waterford Bridge, as ‘we catch the wave’ http://www.theultralighthiker.com/canoeing-the-wonnangatta…/ (See also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/pack-rafting-the-wonnang…/) Spot and Tiny in a supervisory role. The water is crystal clear. Della is still a slalom … Continued
(Updated) Rainfall at Mt Hotham is a pretty good analogue for river flow on the Wonnangatta-Mitchell. The river flows at approx 4km/hr. Use that fact to time the canoeability of sections. For example, on Monday (9 Jan) it rained steadily … Continued