Don't know about you, but I've always regarded obsessive weight
weenies with a mix of creeping horror and utter disdain. I mean,
where would I be without my camping Espresso maker? So it was in a
spirit of utter cynicism, that I stuffed anything that looked vaguely
light into a 35-litre pack and set off across the Peak District for
the weekend. And do you know what, it was brilliant, the walking that
is, rather than the camping. The full article's here,
so you can learn from some of my mistakes.
Want more information on shedding the kilos? The interweb's the
place to go with our big country Transatlantic cousins desperately
shaving ounces from their toothpaste tubes. Here are five of the more
useful web destinations... Got some other ideas, use the link at the
bottom to tell us about them on the forum.
Backpacking
Light -
www.backpackinglight.com
- is a magazine site aimed squarely at the lightweight addict. Highly
professional looking, it carries reviews of feathery gear and
clothing, articles on technique - 'your handkerchief can double as a
handy tarp' - and features. Can be a tad pompous, but some good basic
info just the same.
The
Lightweight Backpacker -
www.backpacking.net
- takes a fanatical look at pretty much everything, then cuts it in
half and disembowels it for lighter weight. Some great tips with a
heavy focus on the kit side of things: 'Ruthless scrutiny of each
piece of gear is key'.
Ray
Jardine is the legendary father of lightweight packing and
inspired the whole GoLite range. His own site -
www.rayjardine.com
- is a mix of commercial promotion for his various books and
illustrated diaries. Not hands-on useful, but an insight into the
mind-set, and you might want to buy the book...
Ultralight
Hiking -
ultralight-hiking.com
- uses a particularly nasty black background that we don't think is
ironic, but dig deeper and you'll find some useful information
including a comprehensive kit-list with weights and comparisons of
different lightweight products.
Finally, no
lightweight gear freak would be satisfied without a look at
Eastern Active Technologies -
www.ediblegear.com
- who've pioneered a radical new line of kit based on edible
materials for ultimate weight-savings. And if that's not a great
idea, I'll eat my ultra lightweight hat...
If you've got a favourite site we've missed, then tell us about it on
the forum. Now if you excuse me, I have to eat my pants in the name
of testing...
Jon Doran
Backpacking Light's Bob Cartwright winds up 2005 with a special Christmas Show featuring an update on winter Munro man Steve Perry and inspiration from past guests including Cameron McNeish.
