The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & Techniques

[wayno]

http://andrewskurka.com/product/ultimat ... ear-guide/

The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & Techniques to Hit the Trail
$19.95

OK so i read this book, lots of good information in there and anecdotes about how he has arrived at his decisions on gear and how he goes about managing his walking and camping.

he doesnt describe himself as an ultralight hiker, he calls himself an "ultimate hiker" but he virtually is an ultralight hiker, his gear is pretty much that of an ultra light hiker, but he seems to want to distance himself from the term and the people who go "stupid light" discussed on another thread viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10887&hilit=stupid+light

so its one mans point of view, its not the gospel on long distance walking. having read the book , I have found there is little in common between the gear i use and the gear he uses, mine is mainly heavier than his, and I havent been convinced by his book that i should change any of it, my gear is on the light side of the ultra light to heavy spectrum. but theres still a reasonable difference in weight to his gear... for instance he likes packs without any frame in them at all and people with packs with any frame in them are lazy because frameless packs force you to pack your pack properly to avoid hurting your back...
he admits he was so focused on long distance walking in some of his articles online that long distance walking took precedence over having a relationship. although he did end up with a partner who is also into endurance exercise. so his focus in life is different from a lot of people. as strong as the pull of bushwalking can be to us, most of us won't put it above a relationship.
definitely a smart guy though, he's optimised his walking experience so he can walk 15 hours a day with a very light setup. he doesnt take a book to read, the only thing he'll have to write on is a single sheet of paper to save weight and he will mail ahead another sheet in his next mail drop.... but believe it or not, there are still people out there who travel lighter than him...
to me theres a limit to how minimalist I"m willing to go in the elements, otherwise i just get nervous about being too cold or uncomfortable....
also I"ve never walked a fifteen hour day, possibly because the terrain i tend to walk on is usually so hilly and i'm not fit enough to last that long day after day... I also prefer to spend most of the afternoon off my feet unwinding rather than putting in as many miles as i can. seems to me yo're missing half the experience if you just want to spend every spare minute walking... he is on the trail fifteen minutes after waking up at his campsite..
but for anyone considering the lightweight path to walk a lot of miles a day, this is a very informative read from someone who has clocked up tens of thousand of k's and often learned the hard way how to optimise his experience with that aim in mind, there are various tips ad trick that are handy for all bushwalkers, just not so much for the "comfort hikers" who's goal is to carry more gear to camp more comfortably.
ultimate hikers, and comfort hikers are the main categories he has for bushwalkers. he doesnt discuss much in between, i'd put myself as in between the two categories based on his interpretation.. and having read his book, thats where i'm happy to stay, its not worth me changing my gear to find out if his experience is for me, i've already gone through the process of changing my gear to move away from being a total comfort hiker to something in between, even if i was willing to spend the money to change, i'm still not convinced it's worth it., possibly at least partly because i live somewhere where the weather is often fickle and you never know when you're going to need heavier gear than the average ultimate hiker takes..
to me it's a safer bet to get your gear from a mainstream bushwalking shop than go to the lightweight specialist shops, at least to start with, it could be an expensive mistake especially for anyone starting out in bushwalking to read this book and take it as the gospel or something close to it... lightweight hiking can be a pretty rude shock to the system if you havent a lot of experience hiking in the first place... you're sailing closer to the wind. you've got less margin for error, I"d put it in the basket of those who are very experienced bushwalkers or those who are out of their depth.
so if you're relatively new to bushwalking, take the book with a grain of salt or find something more suited to mainstream walkers who lean towards comfort hiking...

[Moondog55]

I've read a couple of his articles, including the one where he admits he went too light for safety and comfort on one wet winter trip. A lot of his advice isn't particularly applicable to wet cold either

[wayno]

has has done wet cold trips.
given he likes to walk 15 hours a day and he just snacks on the move, he is either active, cooking or sleeping, he isnt interested in sitting around, so hes almost always kept warm by being on the move or in his down quilt. he takes only a basic set of spare clothes to sleep in and maybe an extra jacket when the temp is really low. i cant remember if he says he's a warm sleeper, he doesnt seem to need a lot of clothing when hes walking regardless of the circumstances.
so if you like sitting or sauntering around your campsite in cold weather you'll need more clothes than he takes to allow for that. he doesnt talk how his kit relates to others who do similar trips , given the bulk of what he does is alone it's hard to know how realistic his kit is compared to other hikers or the average hiker. he must have a higher than average metabolism to do what he does so i would take with a grain of salt the clothes he wears for various conditions, i'd be adding in something warmer than what he takes...

[Onestepmore]

He even states that sometmes he urinates while he walks....... to save time

I found his book an interestng read and lots of food for thought, but I have to say I like to enjoy my walking (and camping) experiences, and definitely am not driven to compete with myself (or others) as to how far or fast I can walk

[Lindsay]

Sturkas ideas, while somewhat interesting, are way too extreme for me. He reminds me somewhat of an evangelistic preacher who believes the whole object of walking is to put in as much distance as possible to the exclusion of actually enjoying the trip. As for urinating while you walk, who but a *&%$#! idiot really needs to do such a thing?

[andrewbish]

He even states that sometmes he urinates while he walks....... to save time

One can only hope that he takes the time to unzip..

[corvus]

Very much evidence of an obsessive compulsive in this persons writings, sheech who would give up a relationship just so as you could go walking and *&^%$#! in your pants
corvus

[etrangere]

I've read his book some time ago. He seems a more preoccupied in the numbers of kms he walks rather than the actual experience itself. And boy does he consume a LOT of junk food, I know he needs the calories but seriously there are healthier options to getting the calories he may need.

[nq111]

Even though none of us will walk like him I think most serious walkers can learn something from the book. So good on the guy for making a contribution.

He is probably a bit obsessive - but so what - most people who are really good at what they do aren't particularly 'normal'.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Yeh, I think his very obsessive with high distance per day. Some of the tips in the book are a bit overboard, but it's good reading and offers some great advice on saving weight, Some a bit extreme.

I don't recall reading in the book he urinates while walking, I will stick with stopping by the side of the track behind a tree, if you don't mind.

[andrewskurka]

Found this post through a Google Alert and thought I would chime in.

1. Wayno - Thanks for posting the review. I have heard the book is difficult to get in Australia, at least a paper copy. I hope that National Geographic Books is trying to figure that one out.

2. I'm very honest about this book being written from the perspective of a backpacker (mine) whose primary goal on a backpacking trip is to *hike*. I'm fully aware that *very few* other backpackers are so myopic in their focus -- for many, camping and in-camp activites are an equally important part of their experience. And I would never try to convince someone that they should hike exactly like me -- I'm hardly an "evangelistic preacher." That said, my core belief is that if any backpacker who wants to improve their hiking experience -- which for too many backpackers resembles *work not play* -- they might be able to use some of my advice about gear, supplies, and skills. Your mileage may vary.

3. I'm unapologetic about my style of backpacking and you'll never hear me agree with someone who suggests to me that I should "stop to smell the roses" more. I immensely enjoy passing through huge amounts of terrain in relatively short periods of time -- I have learned a lot about myself through the associated physical and mental challenges, and I find that I am much more apt to connect with a landscape when I'm discovering my limits in it. Before I was a backpacker, I was a long-distance runner, and I carried that mentality over to backpacking. An endurance athlete has a very different approach towards backpacking, which for many is a leisure activity. I appreciate and respect the opposite goals that other backpackers have, even if those goals do not suit me, and I always hope that they are similarly open-minded.

Andrew

[ULWalkingPhil]

Hi Andrew, Welcome to the Australian bushwalking forum, its great to have someone of your caliber joining us.

Thanks for writing the book, I learnt heaps.

[nq111]

Thank you Andrew - your perspective is valid and appreciated.

In almost any sport / activity there is very small professional / hard core edge that push the boundaries and prove techniques and gear that benefits the more recreation focused (the other 99% that have 'normal' lives). No need to apologise for being at the edge and teaching others what you have learnt.

Now whilst you are here, all of the Tassie walkers here would really appreciate if you could do some more research into dealing with constant cold and wet conditions .

[andrewskurka]

Wet and cold, forget about it. As someone said in another forum I saw, bring your sense of humor. That said, a few things that help:

* Bring fleece mid-layers, in this order depending on temps: vest, shirt/jacket, shorts, pants.
* Learn to start a fire in the worst of conditions
* Dry everything out whenever you get a chance
* Learn to cope with wet feet: http://andrewskurka.com/2012/minimizing ... -wet-feet/
* Bring a huge tarp so you have plenty of room in camp to operate in a well-ventilated space

There are more tips but these are just the first that hit me.

[Moondog55]

Thanx for making the time to replay Andrew.
Speaking from an Australian and Tasmanian perspective tho "Wet and Cold" is our normal operating area (( When it isn't extremely HOT and very dry that is ))and I for one was surprised at how easy deep dry cold was when I visited the US. I found -25C so much easier and warmer than 5C
Once again :thank-you"

[DarrenM]

I think most serious walkers can learn something from the book. So good on the guy for making a contribution.

My thoughts also. I'll be looking to grab a copy after seeing bits and pieces of Andrew's work around the place. After learning to eat on the run and not stop to rest in the hope of shaving time off my last trip etc. I guess the concept is a natural progression for some.

[nihil]

Huge fan Andrew. Chuffed that you posted to our forum. The 'fun to talk about not fun to do' category formed some of the best memories of my life on a recent 230 km solo alpine walk.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I must admit. I do eat while i walk.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[DarrenM]

Take the next step Phillip, and eat while you run.

[Nuts]

Wet and cold, forget about it. As someone said in another forum I saw, bring your sense of humor. That said, a few things that help:


* Learn to start a fire in the worst of conditions
* Dry everything out whenever you get a chance
* Learn to cope with wet feet
* Bring a huge tarp so you have plenty of room in camp to operate in a well-ventilated space

There are more tips but these are just the first that hit me.

G'day Andrew, read your book, good stuff, even if only just the concept (common sense flows from there..), welcome.
Someone mentioned Tassie earlier- in regard to tips and techniques.

* No fires Allowed (in all the most interesting places.. national parks)
* Can't really count on drying anything out (for days, perhaps weeks on end..)
* Very windy, many places a tarp wont be that useable, used alone it may not even be safe..

[nq111]

Yeah - i would love to see an experienced tarp user prove up the concept in Tassie conditions. I can't see it working - but the only experience of tarp camping i have is over a hammock.

Tourism Tasmania should sponsor Andrew to come do the traverse of the Eastern and Western Arthurs in mid-spring. Andrew could write and talk about it back in the States (would be great for bringing new walkers to Tasmania) and I would be genuinely interested to see how semi-ultralight gear the techniques developed for Alaska translate to the Southwest.

[nq111]

Oh - here is a primer - in good weather

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHPzKneJMTA

[etrangere]

Tassie conditions arent unique. There would be plenty of spots worldwide and in the US with similiar conditions that ultralight hikers would have to contend with.

[Nuts]

I often wonder about that. The way things are given priority it rarely seems so ( just in reading)

[nq111]

Tassie conditions arent unique. There would be plenty of spots worldwide and in the US with similiar conditions that ultralight hikers would have to contend with.

Yes - Scotland, Patagonia, New Zealand, in some ways the Pacific Northwest of USA.

Agree that weather in Tas is not unique - mainly its unpredictability (35 degrees C and sun one day, snow and wind the next) and tendency to hover around freezing with rain and no sun for weeks on end that can make it tough.

That is why it would be interesting to see someone apply ultralight approach in Southwest Tassie. I would imagine the experience would range from uncomfortable to scary but I don't know enough about it.

[wayno]

Bear gryls might just be dumb enough to try

[wayno]

If you think andrew is extreme. Its not compred to ultra runners and adventure racers who try to cover massive distnces with very little sleep and often with injuries that would stop most people

[andrewskurka]

1. My familiarity with Tasmania is limited to Roman Dial's packrafting trips there, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_gwmUIvFA. That said, I'm doubtful that its conditions are as unique and challenging as they purportedly are, and I'm sure that my style of backpacking of backpacking could be successfully applied to it. I probably wouldn't get it perfect the first go-around, I might need to devise some new tools or solutions, and/or my mindset and goals might need some adjusting, but this was the same process when I first learned to backpack in the winter, in the desert, in the Arctic, etc.

2. Wanyo - I've participated in both ultra marathon races (2nd place at Leadville 100 in 18 hrs 17 min in 2008) and adventure races (1st place at the 2009 Alaska Mtn Wilderness Classic), and I'd be wary of comparing their extremeness. Ultras and adventure races are more intense, but they are usually heavily supported. Long-distance adventures are slower, but more difficult to plan and more vulnerable. At the end of any of them, you want to be done.

[frenchy_84]

As mentioned Tas weather isnt completly unique, but combine the weather with the SW scrub and i doubt you will find many places that compare. When your used to doing lots of kms a day, i imagine that progress measured in 100's of metres per day could be pretty soul destroying not to mention gear destroying.

To quote Roman Dial "It's hard to exaggerate the Tasmanian brush -- worst in the world I reckon: makes Appalachian laurels, California manzanita, Alaskan and BC alder, Chilean quila, and whatever it is they call their scrub in NZ a look like stuff for pre-school kids who are too young to know what alcohol is, while the stuff down here is Tassie is for hard-core alcoholics on crack"

[andrewskurka]

> i imagine that progress measured in 100's of metres per day could be pretty soul destroying not to mention gear destroying.

Indeed, it could be. But I recalled Roman talking about the bad brush, hence why I added the caveat about the possible need for new tools/solutions and a mindset adjustment. If the average pace in Tas is 2 km per day, and someone were able to go "fast and light" and squeeze in 4 km per day, that might open up some new route opportunities.