Lightweight Knives

If you ask any good survivalist what one item they would want if placed in a wilderness survival situation, likely all of them would argue a good knife. A good cutting tool helped shaped most civilizations and started with crude objects like flint knives, sharpened bones, rocks, and wood, and eventually became the knives we’re more familiar with today made of metals and hard plastics.

The lightweight backpacker often finds themselves in quite a quandary when deciding which knife to carry while backpacking. Some people who count every ounce often don’t carry one at all assuming they will not need it due to personal knowledge of their environment or the reality that they may be hiking close enough to civilization that a survival situation requiring a knife is irrelevant. For the rest of us, we must make a choices based on experience, environment, and personal comfort, as each may use a knife for different reason (survival, utility, protection, etc.).

There are many lightweight choices for backpackers concerned with counting ounces. Some may seem more practical than others, but it depends on the person. Some choose to go to the extreme of carrying a single razor blade and others have been known to use a single razor from a broadhead (bloodletting arrowhead) attached to something.

Likely one of the most lightweight options is a simple razor such as the Derma Safe Folding Utility Knife (http://www.derma-safe.com/folding-utility-knife.html).

Swiss Army makes a ton of various “multi-tools” which contain at least one cutting blade as well as other options. Many lightweight backpackers seem to prefer the “Classic” (http://www.swissarmyknifemall.com/product/53181-mo) which consists of a cutting blade, nail file, scissors, tooth pick, and tweezers. Ultralighters often cannibalize this knife to obtain only that which they need and to discard other parts which cause unnecessary weight.

Building off the “Classic” model, some prefer one which offers a whistle (http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=originalswissarmyknives&product=53933&). The pealess whistle does sound, but it isn’t quite as loud as a Fox 40 or other survival whistle.

Still others who like the “Classic” model lean towards having a light source integrated into the system like the “Swisslite” (http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=originalswissarmyknives&product=53020&).

Others who want something a little heartier lean towards the “Swiss Army Trekker” (http://www.swissarmy.com/MultiTools/Pages/Product.aspx?category=lockblades&product=54854&) which offers a locking blade and a nice saw feature.

For those convinced they need a fixed-blade knife, my recommendation is for the Mora of Sweden line. These knives are made with incredibly hard and durable steel, carbon, or stainless steel and are very low weight compared to others. They are also very inexpensive, usually less than $12.00 (USD). Laminated carbon options, such as the F780 (http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=60) are excellent field knives and hold an edge well, but are subject to problems with moisture. If around moisture, a better option is a stainless steel blade such as the Mora M545 (http://www.bensbackwoods.com/servlet/Detail?no=165). Compared to other more conventional knives which weigh anywhere from 8-12 ounces, these weight around 3.2-3.8oz with their sheath.

Many other people carry genuine "multi-tools" like those made by Leatherman, Gerber, Buck, and others. Although these tools offer a tremendous variety, they come with the cost of weight and therefore aren't often a realistic option to lightweight backpackers. There are many other knife manufacturers which offer better blades, but they too tend to be heavier and fancier than necessary and not really appropriate for prolonged wilderness conditions. Some near tiny options include key chain knives which aren't very stable and don't offer a realistically useful blade for backwoods needs.

Backpacking PODCASTS

To stay current with outdoorsy stuff without reading all the blogs and websites, I enjoy listening to PODCASTS. Podcasts are audible files which can be taken nearly anywhere and the content covers everything from personal opinion, to experiences, to industry trends, and many even chat with manufacturers who will explain how to use their gear and what to expect in the future. Below is a list of my favorite PODCAST sites:

AT Hiking - http://athiking.libsyn.com/

Backpacking Light - http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/podcasts.html?id=ZLsZAi8c:192.18.240.12

Doing Stuff Outdoors - http://doingstuffoutdoors.com/

Hike it All - http://www.hikeitall.com/

Practical Backpacking - http://www.practicalbackpacking.com/blog/

Southeastern Backpackers - http://www.southeasternbackpackers.com/

TrailCast - http://www.trailcast.org/

Wilde Beat - http://www.wildebeat.net/

Food & Spices

It doesn't take much effort to be miserable in the woods, so why allow food choices to do anything but enhance your trip. Unless you have a dehydrator and vacuum sealer at home, you'll likely need to either prepare your own food or purchase it. The key with any meal is nutrition and all efforts should be made to eat healthy foods in the backcountry if for no other reason than to ensure energy and overall fitness. Keep in mind, eating the right foods at the right time will also keep you warm on a cool night. For example, you don't need to drink a hot cup of coffee just before bedding down to stay warm as it will only be temporary. If you stay hydrated with ample water (which ensures your blood vessels stay large and open helping to circulate blood) and eat something with carbohydrates (which your body will take a while to burn and therefore keep you warm), you'll have much better luck. Eat small amounts, eat often, and add spices to bring life to your meals. Don't be scared to carry fruit either as fruit is a "wonder" food which not only helps with energy, but it also repairs damaged muscle tissues and can provide you with valuable antioxidants to fight off colds. If you don't want to carry the heavier hydrated versions, get the dehydrated kind which will take up a lot less weight and space. Below are some healthier options for trail food (in no particular order):

http://www.minimus.biz/
http://www.harmonyhousefoods.com/
http://www.justtomatoes.com/
http://www.packitgourmet.com/
http://www.backcountryfood.com/
http://www.edenfoods.com/
http://www.worldspice.com/
http://www.importfood.com/
http://www.truelemon.com/
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/
http://www.penzeys.com/
http://www.myspicer.com/
http://www.beprepared.com/
http://www.alpineairefoods.com/
http://www.alltravelsizes.com/
http://www.wildernessdining.com/
http://www.waltonfeed.com/
http://www.gibbswildrice.com/
http://www.sprouting.com/
http://www.thespicehouse.com/
http://www.hunyhunks.com/
www.decacer.com/sale-points.aspx

Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park

After heading off on my own over the last two weeks to take on some solo hikes, my wife and I had the chance to hike an old stomping ground - Big Meadows, in Shenandoah National Park. As a kid, I went to Big Meadows with my family many times. More often then not I was more interested in what I could put in the fire then what I could see on the hike. Oddly enough I also don't remember ever hiking the actual 70 acres of the "big meadow" which gave this destination its name. Located 3,510 feet above sea level, this area was known for wandering elk and buffalo prior to the 1900's. Climate change and population increases in Virginia ultimately ran these guys out and replaced them with deer, brown and black bear, and fox to name a few.

During our trip I wanted to make sure I paid attention to the little things often missed during a hike where the intent is to cover distance. The hike of the meadow proved to be a great opportunity to take a look at over 200 different types of plants and all kinds of animals. I also learned pretty quickly that finding an old apple tree ensured I could nearly put a saddle on most of the fairly tame deer in the park.

On the way back from dinner shortly after sunset, a mama bear and her two cubs ran across the road and disappeared into the woods. Against my better judgment, I immediately pulled off the road and dove into the brush without a second thought. Armed only with a camera that couldn't take a picture in such poorly lit conditions and my clearly tiny skills to make a sound judgment, I headed off in the direction of snapping twigs and snorts. My wife stayed behind which was a smart call because she probably would have needed to point rescuers in my general direction once my curiosity officially got the better of me. As I batted away thorn bushes and silkweed, and hoped that there were no snakes under the fern-laden ground cloth which made viewing the path impossible, I saw a cub shoot up a tree, take a look at me, then head off into the darkness. I quickly ran after it as thoughts of being digested by a bear ran through my mind. In the darkness I could hear twigs snapping and rustling seemingly right around the corner and I slowly made my way towards them. About 20 feet in front of me another cub went scurrying down a huge tree and ran off again into the darkness. I could still hear something up in the tree and made my way closer. As I stepped nearly under the tree to gain a better vantage point being that I couldn’t see anything until I moved pass other foliage, I came face-to-face with the absolutely gigantic mother bear who was so far out on a limp I couldn’t imagine how the tree didn’t topple over. The bear took one look at me, growled loudly, and made an instant jump as if it was going to charge me. Short of soiling my pants, I quickly decided that was enough and immediately headed out while talking as kindly as I could to the bear so she knew I was human, a human headed away, and a human not interested in her or her cubs. When I got back to the car, my wife said she could hear me talking to the bear and knew that I was yet again trying to find a way to test my life insurance policy.

Three Ridges, Nellysford VA (USA)

20 Sep 08

Three Ridges is one of Virginia's most popular backpacking circuits. Situated in Central Virginia, just 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville, the hike is 14.4 miles of pretty healthy hiking. There are several vistas, endless switchbacks, several very difficult crossings over piles of falling granite rocks, and it only gets harder witih a solid 2,240 feet of vertical gain. Parking was best to start at Reeds Gap as it is both more convenient and easier to find then the other parking alternative, and comfort can be found quickly on the Appalachian Trail (AT).

Hiking in late September and early October is my personal favorite time of year. With temperatures in the low 70's and nothing but blue skies, it did not disappoint.

Crabtree Falls, Nelson County VA (USA)

Although the week leading up to this short trip was filled with intentions to head to another more untrekked destination, my hamstrings, calves, and feet didn't quite recover from my exploits last weekend to the extent I felt was necessary to be a responsible solo backpacker. Instead of giving up and watching my already fat belly grow fatter, I decided to take a trip to Crabtree Falls in Nelson County, Virginia.

Crabtree Falls is arguably the most beautiful set of waterfalls in Virginia. Billed as the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, Crabtree Falls is a must see for anyone who lives in the mid-Atlantic region. As someone frequently skeptical of the biased journalism which depicts hikes unfairly just to sell hiking books, I can say with conviction that this hike definitely lived up to the hype. The trail is fairly bland as it travels along the falls, but it just keeps getting higher and higher and it's nice to see each gentile bend the falls take on the way down. Because the trail is located fairly deep in the Central Virginia mountains in an area known both for the amazing rugged scenery and the few somewhat scary teeth lacking people who inhabit the area, it is a bit of a pain to find. The constant switchbacks on the roads leading to this destination will leave even the strongest head swishing around in discomfort.

The falls are believed to be named after William Crabtree, who settled in the area in 1777. The Tye River, at the bottom of the falls, is named for Allen Tye, who did extensive exploration in the local Blue Ridge Mountains. The hike is roughly 4.4 miles from the lower parking lot to the top. There is no question I find more silly when hiking a trek with the intention to get to the top of a waterfall then when a passerby says "how much longer". Well, being that rain falls from the sky, and waterfalls start when the rain hits the highest part of the ground (i.e. the summit), then it sure seems to me that the answer to this question could be more easily found by simply....looking up as the peak of the mountain will give a pretty good idea of "how much longer". If one still sees trail in front of them, they need to keep walking. I entertained myself when asked this question several times as I was on the way back down by a handful of folks who also braved the poor weather.

Unfortunately, despite my intent to find a good short day hike to accomodate my ailing body, I picked a hike which required good weather to fully appreciate. The day I hiked Crabtree Falls, Central Virginia was in the middle of being the recipient of approximately 3-4" of rain. As a result, the views of this amazing area were hidden under a cloud of rain and fog which only worsened with the higher I climbed. With that said, I vowed to myself to return again, perhaps in the fall, when the weather is a little more transparent so I can fully appreciate this amazing site.

Lightweight Rainwear

Rainwear appropriate for lightweight backpacking has been an internal struggle with me for quite some time because rain is considered an event which can make or break a good hike and can make you miserable awfully quick. Rainwear can also take up valuable pack space and serve as nothing more than dead weight. At worst, it can be used as a pillow or as part of a layering system to keep warm if there is no rain. At best, it can keep you dry.

When evaluating any rain option, however, it is important to be realistic. First, how often are you going to be in the rain - seriously? Unless you're in very specific environments, the reality is probably very rarely. With that said, why carry something you'll very rarely use. For example, an emergency poncho is likely one of the lightest and most functional rain options available. At about $1.00 each, it is also the cheapest. It may be the perfect solution for you. I know other people who enjoy the circulation and unrestrictive movement of a kilt or skirt made by water shedding fabrics. Course, if you want something a little more durable, you'll want other alternatives.

Rainwear manufacturers choose a variety of materials for their rain gear. All are functional to some extent, but some are better than others. There is also a huge differences in breathability, durability, and cost. Breathability is second next to waterproofness, but without good ventilation and breathability, the user will get wet from their own body sweat which will be just as miserable. Pit zips, arm cuffs, and adjustments at the neck and waist are all helpful to mitigate body temperature. Of course, the user must actually uses these resources instead of merely assuming the fabric will handle it all.

Two of the least expensive rainwear products which are an upgrade from a plastic bag are offered by DriDucks (http://www.froggtoggs.com/store/choose.asp?ItemNum=DS1204&ItemType=%25) and O2 Rainwear (http://www.rainshield.com/p_multi.html). Both are lightweight, breathable, and inexpensive. They are made of a non-woven fabric which repels water. Although very lightweight, they are each very flimsy and prone to tears if contacted by trees and rocks. I liken the material to the towel dentists use under your chin while doing busy work. If you look, the towel is fuzzy on one size and rubbery on the other and any spray or dribble sits on the cloth.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is raingear made of eVENT fabrics. eVENT is very durable, lighter than the more popular Gore-Tex, and it breathes better than anything on the market, but it is also very expensive. Some good options include the Wild Things Alpinist (http://www.wildthingsgear.com/prod_hardshl.php), Rab Super Dru (http://www.rab.uk.com/products_waterproof_superdru.html), and Westcomb Specter LT (http://acmeclimbing.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1644). Integral Designs has a lock on the most number and lightest eVENT jackets, but sizing isn’t great. The Integral Designs eVENT jackets include the Cruiser Jacket, Thru-Hiker, and Rain Jacket (http://www.integraldesigns.com/product.cfm?id=24&CFID=628503&CFTOKEN=57533383&mainproducttypeid=1). I should mention the Integral Designs website is horrible, slow, and flat out irritating. I’ve also found customer service to be a little rude, although no one complains about their products. Users can't go wrong by going with any of these manufacturers, although sizing is difficult and UK options (Rab, Montane, Westcomb, etc.) tend to be a little more snug under the armpits than American clothing.

Some people choose to go with the ole trusty Gore-Tex fabric of which there are endless options. Unfortunately, Gore-Tex is known to be both expensive and lack breathability.

One option that has received high reviews is The North Face Diad (http://www.backcountry.com/store/TNF2776/The-North-Face-Diad-Jacket-Mens.html?CMP_ID=SH_NXT001&CMP_SKU=TNF2776&mv_pc=r147) which uses the proprietary fabric HyVent.

In any event, and much like with all backpacking related topics, the user must decide based on preference, environment, cost, and other concerns.

Lightweight Trekking Poles

Yes, those silly poles you likely think are totally unnecessary. Well, hike long distances or in poor footing for a short while and you’ll quickly see that these guys are worth their weight in gold. They also do double-duty as support for a tent or tarp, which allow you to leave tent poles at home, and also help clear debris out of the path or check the stability of the ground. In anything other than a flat easy footing trail, I bring my trekking poles.

Trekking poles are consistently manufactured out of a couple of things: aluminum, carbon fiber, and metal alloy. Durability is limited with either choice depending on the environment and care of the user.

Some trekking poles are fixed (one length) or are adjustable in one or two sections. Fixed poles tend to ensure there is no potential for joint lock slippage, but adjustable poles are easier to pack and also can be more easily used as support for a tent or tarp without needing a fancy knot or duct tape.

Trekking poles tend to range from around $100-$150 depending on frills (adjustability, shock absorbers, baskets, tips, wrist straps, etc.).

At present, my personal favorite is the Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 (http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Lightrek4_Trekking_Poles.html) which at 6.8 oz per pair. I’m a huge fan of how Glenn VanPeski runs his business and Grant has always been great to deal with. The poles represent a huge innovation and are literally the lightest adjustable poles on the market.

A good option for a fixed set of poles is the Backpacking Light Stix Carbon Fiber (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/stix_carbon_fiber_trekking_poles_08.html) weighing in at 8.2 oz per pair.

An option for those who want spring or shocks in the poles is the REI Peak UL Carbon Shocklight (http://www.rei.com/product/750835) which weigh in at 13.5oz per pair. Please with bad knees will appreciate the extra cushion of these poles.

After very good manufacturers include Leki, Komperdell, and Black Diamond also are viable options