Over 900 posts all about light weight, ultra light hiking, backpacking, bush walking, bushwacking, hunting, fishing, tips, tracks, trails, adventures, gear, reviews...
How to make your raincoat into a shelter. I realise this is important as people die because they keep on wearing their raincoat instead of sheltering under it. For example, there was this European guy who died on the Dusky … Continued
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
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
I just bought this pack: a Montane Ultra Alpine. It weighs 500 (stripped) to 610 grams and claims to be 38 + 5 litres though it looks to me as if it could hold a lot more at the start … Continued
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
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
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
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
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
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
Miniature weapons are great fun for young and old. You might start your collection with this delightful ‘toothpick crossbow’ which is bound to annoy your friends and fellow workers: https://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/toothpick-crossbow/ Specs Handmade Material: Stainless steel Shoots toothpicks, Q-tips, matches and … Continued
In Australia (and elsewhere) it is quite common to encounter these beasties in wetter areas. They avoid sunny patches. They do you no harm, though many (like me) have an allergic reaction to their ‘bites’, so it is good to … Continued
The Pocket Shot might be a good choice if you want to add a bunny, pigeon or duck to your hiking menu and you have found perfecting your skill with a conventional sling too hard (See: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/how-to-make-a-sling/) ‘With up to … Continued
What a good idea that would be, especially if you need to use both hands for trekking poles on rough or steep terrain. When the weather is really humid, you really need a roof to keep you dry (and warm). … Continued
As you can see I have completed the first prototype of this project which I have long threatened. I learned a lot in the process, so that there will be substantial changes between where it is at now and the … Continued
Leatherman just keep coming up with entrancing products to separate us from our hard-earned. Here’s a nice example, the Leatherman Juice B2: ‘Sometimes, all you need is a knife. The Juice B2 has one serrated and one straight-edge knife made … Continued
These folks are making garments they reckon you can’t wear out (from Kevlar). For example their 100 Year Hoodie: They’ve taken aramid fibres with a strength to weight ratio five times stronger than steel and spun them into a super … Continued
Today my waterproof zippers arrived so I sewed them on (and they work a treat!) I also made up the small extra piece which can be used to close the tent up completely. This piece will weigh just less than … Continued
A year ago I thought this was the greatest head torch ever: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/let-there-be-light-great-new-head-torch/ Now, Black Diamond has a new model which blows it out of the water literally – being waterproof! Their new model boasts an incredible 350 lumens though … Continued
