hiking and camping

In my opinion, there's no other way to experience the outdoors than with ultralight backpacking... Using techniques spelled out by Kestenbaum in this book, you'll be able to actually experience the best of the backcountry in the best state of mind, without being burdened by a heavy load, or by having to think about setting up all the gear a traditional backpacker needs to be aware of.

By going ultralight, your mind is free to be immersed in the beauty and peace of nature, and that's the point of this whole book: to give you the tools you need to just be yourself, without attachments, frills, etc... just you and nature, the way it's always been. Buy this book, read it thoroughly, digest its philosophy, and start realizing the greatest gifts you have.. you will not regret it.

I never realized just how fulfilling and amazing nature can be until a friend of mine encouraged me to enroll in a backpacking class... the instructor was Ryel Kestenbaum, the author of this book. His methods and style were so right on, and it was clear to all of us how deeply passionate Ryel is toward going ultralight. It was one of the most enlightening weekends of my life, and it began a love affair with the wilderness that seems to get stronger all the time.

That was three years ago. Today, I've refined my own ultralight techniques to fit my personal needs, and they're not far different than what Ryel spells out in his book. Trust me, ultralight is the only way to go. You will love yourself for it, as well as every step you take into the backcountry. Why struggle, why be intimidated, why find any reason at all to not appreciate all that nature has to offer? Start with this book, use it as a springboard, and find out why ultralight backpacking is gaining so many followers. You won't regret it.

Although not extensive, there's a fair amount of good information in here for people who want to lighten their load. But the annoying thing about the book is the pretentious religiosity. Evidently carrying a lighter pack into the woods automatically means you have to become a yoga master and hike 21 miles per day. Only if you do that will you become "at one" with nature. I don't know if it gets more pathetic than that. Lighten your load so you can hike 21 miles per day so you can get in touch with nature? Somehow it all makes sense in Kestenbaum's mind. Don't take any field guides, camera, binoculars, or a hand lens or spend time loafing on the trail or enjoying a luxurious meal or god forbid, reading a book. No sireee. The "answer" lies in controlling your breathing and logging miles and miles and mind-numbing bragging-rights miles. If this is truly the ultralight state of mind, it's a sad one and I personally find it arrogant for a mile-logging automaton to tell me what my relationship with wilderness is or should be. Get off the treadmill and stop and smell the roses Ryel. At the very least, take a hand lens and take a close look at the nature you've been trail-running by. There are a lot of different ways to go ultralight in the backcountry and find your relationship with wilderness. It's sheer arrogance to assume otherwise.