This is not another backpacking gear book. Backpacking the Light Way by author Rick Light is for both beginner and advanced backpackers who want to pack more efficiently, carry less weight, still be fully prepared for contingencies, and have more fun in the backcountry. It will benefit instructors and guides by giving them methods to teach their clients, and it will help them refine their risk assessment and trip planning techniques.
This book presents field-tested, proven methodologies including gear organization, modular packing systems, and creating gear lists that work. Assessing conventional gear currently owned and understanding the mindsets of both conventional and ultralight backpacking. Navigating the mindset shift required to seriously lighten up and redefining each gear system to meet your needs. Dealing with winter conditions and packing to minimize frustration. Assessing risk, effective trip planning and much more.
| Dedication |
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viii | |
| Acknowledgments |
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| What This Book Is Not |
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ix | |
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1 | (4) |
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Understanding Comfort and Misery |
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5 | (6) |
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The Fundamental Framework |
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11 | (4) |
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Chapter 1 Where to Begin? |
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15 | (6) |
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16 | (2) |
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18 | (1) |
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18 | (2) |
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What Our Priorities Say About Us |
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20 | (1) |
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Chapter 2 The Paradigm Shift |
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21 | (6) |
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25 | (2) |
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Chapter 3 Understanding Where We Are Now |
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27 | (12) |
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28 | (1) |
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Modular Packing Systems Based on the Ten Essentials |
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28 | (2) |
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Creating Gear Lists That Work |
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30 | (5) |
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35 | (4) |
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Chapter 4 Recontextualizing Each Gear System |
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39 | (56) |
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40 | (1) |
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41 | (4) |
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45 | (2) |
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47 | (2) |
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49 | (2) |
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51 | (2) |
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53 | (3) |
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The Shelter, Sleeping, and Lighting System |
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56 | (1) |
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56 | (6) |
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To Sleep, Perchance to Dream |
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62 | (4) |
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66 | (3) |
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The Three Smaller Systems: Navigation System; First-Aid, Repair, and Personal-Hygiene System; Communication System |
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69 | (1) |
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69 | (1) |
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First-Aid, Contingency, and Repair Kits |
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70 | (4) |
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Personal Hygiene in the Backcountry |
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74 | (2) |
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Three-Season Contingency Planning |
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76 | (1) |
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77 | (1) |
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The Fire and Nutrition Systems |
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78 | (1) |
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79 | (5) |
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84 | (3) |
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87 | (4) |
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The Specialty-Gear System |
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91 | (4) |
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Chapter 5 Winter Considerations |
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95 | (22) |
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Winter Clothing and Layers |
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97 | (5) |
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Hydration, Food, and Stoves |
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102 | (4) |
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Winter Sheltering and Sleeping Systems |
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106 | (6) |
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112 | (2) |
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Winter Contingency Planning |
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114 | (3) |
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Chapter 6 Putting It All Together |
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117 | (32) |
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Packing to Minimize Frustration |
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122 | (8) |
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Assessing and Managing Risk |
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130 | (12) |
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142 | (4) |
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Living with Your Choices and Evolving with the Times |
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146 | (1) |
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147 | (1) |
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147 | (1) |
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Books Proven to Be Good Backpacking Resources |
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148 | (1) |
| Image Credits |
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149 | (2) |
| Index |
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151 | (7) |
| About the Author |
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158 | |
Richard A. Light is an instructor of backpacking, rock climbing, and other outdoor skills. He has been backpacking, climbing, hiking, skiing, and generally active in the outdoors for more than 50 years. He especially loves telemark skiing, rock climbing, backpacking, canyoneering, snowshoeing, building igloos, and reveling in the beauty and majesty of nature. Rick taught skiing as an RMSIA/PSIA fully certified alpine instructor in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He has been designing and leading multiday backpacks in remote areas of the Grand Canyon since 1993. He loves playing in the high country above timberline, canyoneering through slot canyons, exploring backcountry with no trails, teaching and helping others, and, especially, just being in the silence and wonder of wilderness. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
