Tag Archives: ultralight

Choosing A Backpack

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Before you buy a backpack, you need to decide what type of backpacker you want to: A traditionalist who carries 30-50 pounds of gear on a weekend,  or a more modern, lightweight backpacker who carries smaller, lighter and smarter gear, lowering their weight to a comfortable 15 pounds?

Try Before You Buy

Always rent or borrow before making your purchase. REI rents packs at a reasonable price and you probably don’t know what you (or your son) needs until you try them in the field.

Once you have some experience backpacking and get a good feel of the gear you plan to take, then it’s time to consult an expert. Continue reading →

Exploring The San Gabriels

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West Fork area

Every trip seems to have a theme that we remember it by. Sometimes it’s excessive rain. Maybe mosquitoes, unexpected snow, or when solo, a song that won’t leave your head.

I think this trip will be remembered as the “weekend of exploration.” We didn’t blaze new trails or go where no shoe has seen before, rather, we Continue reading →

Is Less Better?

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Proper planning helps avoid heavy loads

When I first started as an Assistance Scout Master (ASM) with our Troop, there wasn’t a strong emphasis on backpacking. Backpacking was one of many events the boys participated in; some Scouts embraced backpacking while others dreaded it.

Not that there wasn’t an interest in backpacking, there simply was not an emphasis on decentralized, self-sufficient camping.

Recently, however, a few enthusiastic leaders among the Troop surfaced which has seemed to kick-start the backpacking program into a higher gear.

In the last few months, over 25 Boy Scouts have gone on at least one of the backpack trips I’ve led and show interest of going again. Out of the 25 boys, at least half of the group want to explore ways to reduce their pack base weight Continue reading →

How To Make a Freezer Bag Cozy

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FreezerBagCozy

Step-by-step video on how to make a cozy

If you are an ultralight backpacker, you probably already know the benefits of freezer bag cooking. For those looking for ways to save weight and simplify your back country meals, you may want to consider freezer bag cooking and making your own freezer bag cozy.

In this video, I show you step-by-step instructions on how to Continue reading →

Mt. Wilson Open Jaw – 27 miles

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October, 5 -7, 2012

Even in a drought year, the West Fork was flowing well

After nearly two months of 90-degree-plus days, an 80-degree weekend sounded real good! Last weekend I lead our Boy Scout Troop on an over-night to Henninger Flats (above Pasadena). The hike up was upward towards 100 degrees and Continue reading →