My philosophy on Ultralight Hiking

I wasn’t always an ultralight hiker. In fact, I did a Presidential traverse with my step-dad the summer before I was in 8th grade. It was a three-day hike and we didn’t weigh our packs until we came down off Mt. Washington and returned to Pinkham Notch. My pack at the end of the hike (so the food was eaten, water was gone) weighed 45 lbs. Now that may not sound like a while lot but that was almost 50% of my body weight! I still remember - my quads felt like they were on fire. Those early trips with a lot of weight make me appreciate my now-lighter-pack even more.

To me, ultralight is a way of being prepared, safe and comfortable with the lightest pack possible. It’s freedom to skip along the trail and enjoy Creation without being constantly reminded of all the stuff you’re lugging with you. I don’t know about you, but I go to the wilderness to get away from it all – not to bring it all with me.

I’ve hiked over 5,000-miles in all kinds of climates and all seasons and I can tell you that ultralight can be adapted, the principals applied and it can work in some form for just about any trip.

In this blog, I’m going to talk about some of the principals, tips and tricks I’ve learned over my 10+ years of ultralight hiking. To hopefully help you have more fun in the outdoors while being more comfortable and safer through the use of a lighter pack.

Backpacking can be categorized a few ways. For the purpose of this blog, we'll define ultralight as overnight backpacking with a sub-10lb pack. Only a few years ago, I met people who said that isn't possible (I can tell you for a fact, it is). In this blog, I’ll share my insight on clothing, gear and techniques. Even if you have no intention of EVER hiking overnight with 9lbs, the information here will help you find the weight that is right for you and make the most of your adventure. It’ll all things I’ve picked up along my thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail along with countless other hikes and travels around the globe. I’m looking forward to this and welcome you to join in the discussion.

JMT Here we come!

Gunslinger (aka Leon), a good friend I met on my Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2001 is going to thru-hike the John Muir Trail with his wife, Bri later this summer. They're going to take 20 days to hike the 215-trail from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney.

I hiked this length of trail in 2003 (it overlaps the Pacific Crest Trail) and have often said that I would love to go back and hike it again. To be able to hike even a section with Leon, Bri and Julie would be amazing.

Julie and I have hiked together (she's a fast walker) but never went backpacking before the wedding. We had our first over-night trip a few weekends ago and I think that may be a warm-up to hiking a section of the JMT. It's also when Miles will be on vacation, so taking off for a few days should be easy.

I'm getting excited. Going to start penciling out a packing list and making sure Julie is cool with this idea.

Let's go hiking!

Feeling a need to be Productive.

Well, Julie has been amazingly productive this week posting to her blog, launching and stocking her Etsy shop, working a few shifts at Anthropologie and tomorrow she'll be doing a photo shoot for Taylor Linens similar to the one that just appeared in Victoria Magazine.

And all I've done is keep up with my job at the Rock Church (we're getting into Strategic Planning Season for 2011) and sail in a Wednesday night regatta. Gosh - her list is way more impressive than mine. I mean look at it. She earned six links and I only have one!

So I've decided. I started a blog in 2008 and that was about it. I started it and never kept it up so I'm going to take another stab at it. And here it is. I know the challenge will be to keep the content fresh since I don't consider myself a "blogger" but maybe I could be. I guess this will be the test. Er, second attempt at a test.

A Boy and his Dog...

Click To Play

Darah and I had dinner at her friends' house last night. They couple is amazing, but their son and dog totally stole the night. It was a lot of fun to watch them play together and to see Bella "give kisses" meaning she would totally cover his face with dog spit. He thought it was hilarious...