The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Tools & Techniques

[nq111]

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.

I didn't mean to come across as goading with the initial suggestion.

I would genuinely like to see how you would adapt your style to Tassie.

Mainly because even with 'normal' gear (good tent etc) the conditions can get rather tiresome after a while. Whatever you come up with to manage with a tarp and 6-10kg pack would make a tent and 15-20kg pack seem like luxury

[wayno]

How many places in the world get such prolonged periods of wet windy cold weather outside of the sub polar regions. It basically has sub antarctic weather. Which is what the south island in nz has just had in mid summer. 400mm rain. Cold wind and snow. I was convinced it was another season.

[Nuts]

Well, there's at least one person who's run through the Arthurs (in a day) (not me, i v'e trouble just walking when it comes to the downhill).. but that is a 'run', i don't think i'd plan things that way without at least having had a look. Some other tracks could also be done a lot quicker than average, overnight runs etc. Kind of risky without relying on a plb as backup but distances aren't that great.

Off these tracks though, crawling through scrub, doesn't lend itself to moving fast. I imagine speed crawling would wear thin Very quickly

[Pongo]

Welcome to the board Andrew, it's a real treat to have you chime in.

Whilst we're pondering Tassie travel I think I should be the first to give Andrew a nudge and suggest the bones of a route; something that takes in the Tarkine, the South West and of course something in the central highlands... And so I don't go to off topic perhaps it could inspire some chapters in a new book...?

[frenchy_84]

Federation via the New river sounds like a good challenge for an Ultimate Hiker.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2977&hilit=old+river+federation

[cixelsyd]

Hey Andrew,

I just wanted to say "Great Book". I read it cover to cover over 2 days. Learned some stuff and validated some ideas I had of my own. I really liked how you described hikers vs campers. It also changed my way of thinking in how I approach my gear. Previously I was wanting to be a hiker and a camper at the same time.

All my best wishes for 2013. Next time you publish please drop a line to the forum (if that's ok with the moderators). I'd buy your next book.

Regards
James

[andrewskurka]

James -

Thanks for the post. I think the hiker/camper profiles helped a lot of other people too. To use an analogy from other outdoor sports, "backpacking" is as broad as "skiing" or "biking." But within those other sports, there are different sub-types: alpine/downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, road biking, mountain biking, freestyle, etc. Skiers and bikes are aware of their inner differences and know the gear and skills they need for a particular sub-type.

Whereas most backpackers seem to think that all backpacking is the same, and it's not. There are trips when distance is the goal, and trips where camp fun is the goal, and trips where you won't a balance of both. Depending on your objectives, you need a different kit.

A comment was made earlier that I've moved away from the "lightweight" label and its UL, SUL, XUL, etc. derivatives. That's definitely true, because too many "UL'ers" fanatically believe that lighter is always better. Well, if you're planning a camping-centric trip, that's not true. And then there is also the issue of environmental and route conditions -- you can be safe and comfortable with a lot less in the High Sierra than in Tas, and in Tas you'd probably be quickly regretting that "stupid light" backpack that tears in minutes.

Andrew

[wayno]

thanks andrew, we also discussed your stupid light concept on the forum earlier
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10887&hilit=stupid+light

which sparked a stupid heavy debate as well!
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=10905&start=60&hilit=stupid+heavy

[Nuts]

I don't get it Wayno, you seem to have linked a story about some bloke falling into a river as an example of 'stupid light'

[wayno]

I don't get it Wayno, you seem to have linked a story about some bloke falling into a river as an example of 'stupid light'

ah that should be about a stupid forum member posting stupid links
thanks
i've put the correct link in now....

[north-north-west]

Federation via the New river sounds like a good challenge for an Ultimate Hiker.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2977&hilit=old+river+federation

*snigger*
Forum Gold, that thread.

[wayno]

interview with Andrew Skurka

http://ryanjordan.com/blog/2011/04/inte ... ew-skurka/

[Turfa]

It is worthwhile reading many different perspectives on hiking equipment & methods. Andrew's style is at one of the outer limits of the sport (at least from my perspective of a 6kg base weight !) but understanding what he does allows you to more effectively review your own methods & gear to see if you can get a better result for your own goals. I have 'improved' my gear a lot through my exposure to long distance hikers in the US..it is a style of walking that is not common in Australia..but lessons I have learnt from it have made my bushwalking so much more enjoyable !

[nq111]

It is worthwhile reading many different perspectives on hiking equipment & methods. Andrew's style is at one of the outer limits of the sport (at least from my perspective of a 6kg base weight !) but understanding what he does allows you to more effectively review your own methods & gear to see if you can get a better result for your own goals. I have 'improved' my gear a lot through my exposure to long distance hikers in the US..it is a style of walking that is not common in Australia..but lessons I have learnt from it have made my bushwalking so much more enjoyable !

+1 - my thoughts exactly.

No need to be an lightweight walker to learn from what they do.

[wayno]

its interesting, i saw a review for a rainshell on the backpackinglight forum, and there was endless criticism because the jacket was revised from initial advertisement and increased in weight from under 200 grams to 255 grams but they didnt update their website with the weight change till after the reviewer had bought the jacket after he brought it to their attention... all the commenters wanted sub 200gm raincoats and adding 60 grams even though it was adding functionality to the jacket was not on. they werent happy about those extra grams and thought they had been "deceived"
i thought it was just an oversight . and the company that made it wasnt used to dealing with ultralight hikers who demand to know the weight of everything down to the last gram. westcomb were the manufacters and they are known for making quality gear and stand by their warranties. but the fact that 60 grams had been added to th jacket overshadowed all of that to these people... , a lot of ultralight gear is downright flimsy,, lacks the functionality and comfort of a lot of heavier gear and doesnt last the distance. and 60 grams isnt going to break anyones back, a rainshell is a major piece of kit and its one that I look for specific functionality and design before i look at how light it is ,,,, its a different world they live in....

[Turfa]

In trying to reduce your pack weight it is a constant stream of decisions over the balance between weight vs price vs functionality vs durability.... I am not an ultralighter, but I have spent a lot of time & research (and some $) getting my pack weight to a nice, light (but quite conservatively safe) weight. I have to admit that I would be a little peeved if the rain jacket that I had researched extensively turned out to be 25% heavier than advertised !

[nq111]

Hey Turfa, on a side note, is that Mt Katahdin in your avatar?

[Turfa]

yes, that is Katahdin...... a very happy day in 2006 !

[norts]

Have you thru hiked the AT?

[nq111]

yes, that is Katahdin...... a very happy day in 2006 !

Nice.

I have been up Katahdin - unfortunately only on a day walk basis. Middle of summer - saw a black bear and ate some low bush blueberries.

Well done if you did the trail! I wasn't even aware of it when i did Katahdin (early 90s).

[Turfa]

Have you thru hiked the AT?

I was lucky enough to be able to attempt a thu hike in 2006...... And even luckier to actually finish it.
Best 4 months of my life ! Highly recommended if you ever have the time available

[wayno]

any idea what your pack weight was?

[Turfa]

any idea what your pack weight was?

ha ha... when you wear it every day for 4 1/2 months you know exactly how much it weighs !!!!

At the start of my hike, which was in early March, so it was still winter & I was prepared for snow, it was 9.5kg base weight (ex. food & water) I had done a lot of bushwalking over the years in Australia & I thought this was pretty light !!!!!!
I would carry about 3-4 days of food on average, at about 1kg per day, and rarely more than 1.5 litres of water. So fully loaded coming out of town from a re-supply it would be about 13kg.


During my hike (like most people) I got fairly obsessed with my pack weight & cut down a bit more on weight. Moving into warmer weather let me swap to a lighter sleeping bag & less warm clothing, also got a lighter pack & swapped my Macpac Microlight for a hammock ( Hennessy Hyperlight). By the end of the trail in July I was carrying 6kg base weight (ex food & water). Certainly not ultralight, but I'm pretty conservative & was still prepared for dodgy weather & some level of comfort in camp.

It was a great education in what is really necessary !

[norts]

Mind if I pick your brain over the next 12months, I am planning to go Mar 2014.

Roger

[Turfa]

No worries Roger... I'm more than happy to help out however I can. I'll babble on about the AT for hours of you let me. post any questions you have or drop me a PM. I'll send you my contact details if you want to have a chat by phone.

Cheers,

Chris

[wayno]

i just dont understand why ultralights will quibble so much about weight like they did over the 60 grams on the jacket, sub 200 gram jackets to me are only good for summer showers.. like you say you pack gear for the conditions, i'd be pretty nervous going ultralight in bad weather... some of the ultralighters must get into some tight situations with their gear... there comes a point where you're just getting away with it with the gear you're taking. i'm not into heavyweight gear either. just like to strike a balance...

[wayno]

or you could start a thread on the AT, there must be a few people on here with that trail on their bucket list... i'd like to section hike some of it at least.. the mountain crossings store is rally cool how the trail goes right through the middle of the store and its at the right distance for those who have started at the southern end have done enough distance to work out what extra gear they need or need to change....

[russell2pi]

I haven't read Andrew's book but have just read Mike Clelland's "Ultralight Backpacking' Tips". It sounds as if the two share some common ground including the camper vs hiker distinction and the obsession with weight.

I kinda like the camper/hiker distinction although for me it is mostly not about either of these things, but instead what I can see or do along the way. But I guess that's functionally close to the "hiker" position.

As for fussing about a 5-gram sheet of paper, I really do think people go overboard. I certainly hope they shave their heads, trim (or extract) their finger and toenails, urinate and defecate frequently, don't carry any of the several kilos of excess body fat most people have, etc...

[wayno]

skurka has been bitten by going to light in the past, we've discussed that in another thread to do with "stupid light" which is what he calls that , and some of the ultralight fraternity fit into that category... where they are blinded by saving weight to the point their safety margins are too tight for the conditions thy are walking in..
skurka has ended up going a bit heavier in some circumstances to avoid the mistakes me made in the past.
some ultralight hikers are not equiped for cold weather, if it gets too cold they have to stop and camp to avoid hypothermia...
skurka is equipped to keep hiking regardless of the temperature. so he caries extra clothing for the cold so he doesnt have to spend any more time camping than he has to.... some ultra lighters will skimp in the few hundred grams or kilo or so of extra clothing just to keep the weight down...

[Turfa]

Yeah... it is probably hard to get your head around why people can be so obsessed about weight. But I can tell you from personal experience that when you are doing a long distance trail, it does change your view on how important it is... Every day for 4 1/2 months I would get up in the morning, put on my pack & walk 30km over mountains. ... you can't help but focus on how heavy that pack is.

Sure, if I'm slacking about in the Blue Mountains for a weekend & I'm only doing 10-15km a day, I don't care so much about my pack weight. But do it for 130 days in a row, for 8-10 hours a day & your perspective can change