About Us
This all got started from a passion that began at a very early age while wandering around the woods and the desire to explore those far off places. At the age of twelve I became a Boyscout which satisfied my desire to go camping, sleep on the ground and experience the wilderness up close. But it just wasn't enough. My first backpacking knowledge was gained from reading The Complete Walker by Colin Fletcher. At the time it was considered the bible of backpacking. I learned a lot. But it was full of equipment suggestions and ideas that were pretty old school. For me, I came away with the idea that the most important part of equipment selection was to reduce risk. Choose the most robust and durable equipment you could find and you would be safe. But all that durability came at a price — massive weight. And all that weight came with a price — less fun and more misery.
Then along came another author who wrote a book that changed everything. His name is Ray Jardine and he wrote the book Beyond Backpacking. Along the way Ray ruffled some feathers but what he really did was open our eyes that there just might be a better way. Well, in my opinion there is a better way. And that better way is called Ultralight Backpacking. And at the core of this better way is knowledge.
So after many miles and lots of wilderness time we now know that it is knowledge and experience that reduces risk. Don't get me wrong, choosing and having the right equipment along can certainly enhance the wilderness experience, but it's the knowledge you have, not what's in your pack that makes you feel safe.
The passion that started at an early age is still with me. My desire is to share that passion and the knowledge I have about ultralight backpacking. I am convinced that if you see the light (pun intended) you will experience the freedom and joy that ultralight backpacking can offer. So that is why we made a decision to not just offer products but to also offer knowledge. And we want to offer that knowledge for free. No memberships to join or subscriptions to buy. And we welcome your thoughts about how we can spread the word and make ultralight backpacking the norm. Not so long ago the ultralight approach was only practiced by the zealots, the crazies and the gram weenies. These derogatory names were placed upon us by those who don't like change. By those who have a hard time letting go of the past and of letting go of that heavy, overbuilt equipment.
Got to go, the woods are calling me.