March 2009
MLD DuoMid Tarp/Shelter from Mountain Laurel Designs
The MLD DuoMid from Mountain Laurel Designs is a tarp which features a number of extraordinary properties. It provides space for two persons or a generously proportioned interior for those undertaking solo trips. The side walls of the MLD DuoMid extend down to the ground, making it extremely wind resistant from all sides whilst also providing the genuine feeling of being in a tent. If greater ventilation... [Read more]
Transferring Garmin Tracks to Google Maps/Earth
It is, unfortunately, not yet possible to import Garmin Tracks and waypoints directly to Google Maps regardless of whether you are using Mapsource under Windows or Garmin Roadtrip under Mac OS. The aim of the following step-by-step instructions is to provide some assisitance in transferring data. At the end of the article, instructions are also given on how Garmin Tracks may be transferred to Google... [Read more]
Trail Life: Ray Jardine’s Lightweight Backpacking book
Ray Jardine, arguably one of the founding fathers of ultralight trekking had already given a few good tips around the subject of ultra-light hiking in his book “Beyond Backpacking”. Within a very short time, the book was sold out and available on the second-hand market at dizzying prices. Meanwhile, the successor "Trail Life", the ultralight primer by Ray Jardine is available online. In his most... [Read more]
Snow Peak New Lite Max – worlds lightest stove
For all those who rely on gas stoves during their tours, there is now New Lite Max from Snow Peak, the lightest gas stove in the world. At 53 grams, it is a veritable light weight and therefore almost 30% lighter that its predecessor the Giga Stove Titanium. The transport packaging has also become considerably lighter. The New Lite Max comes in a small carrier bag and no longer in a plastic transport... [Read more]
Trail Designs Caldera Cone versus a normal alcohol stove
I have had my new Trail Designs Caldera Cone with me in my rucksack at all times during my most recent winter trips. Although I very quickly realized that the Caldera Cone is considerably more efficient, I was still interested in conducting a comparison with normal spirit stoves in widespread use (such as the Antigravitygear pepsi can stove) or with stoves which hikers can construct for themselves... [Read more]
Snowshoeing trip along the Harz Mountains Border Trail
At last the time has come. My 3-day trip draws ever nearer, and snow conditions in the Harz Mountains could scarcely be better. The snow on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz, is 1.80 meters deep! We begin our trip in the North of the town of Ilsenburg and have planned to cover 20 km over the Brocken before spending our first night. After only a few paces, we find ourselves in deep lying snow... [Read more]
Titanium Goat Ptarmigan Bivy
Titanium Goat is a small two-man company from Utah in the USA which has specialized in ultralight equipment. Its products include the Ptarmigan Bivy. For a long time the Ptarmigan Bivy was only available in purple with a silver bottom. It is now also obtainable in black. Intrepid continues to be used as a surface material. This is comparable to Pertex Quantum in terms of weight and breathability,... [Read more]
MYOG ultralight thermos bottle
I have done without a thermos bottle on a number of winter trips because they were always too heavy for me. I only enjoyed hot tea when camp had been set up for the night. At last, however, I have found an appropriate solution which keeps my tea hot for a long period during the day. I created my own thermos bottle using the following component parts: - Integral Designs - Primaloft Insulated Bottle... [Read more]
Atlas Race snowshoes versus Northern Lites Backcountry
I was able to make extensive use of the last snowshoe trip I undertook to conduct a comparison between Atlas Race and Northern Lites Backcountry snowshoes. Basic data: - Atlas Race 907 grams/55.8 cm long/up to 85 kg. - Northern Lites Backcountry 1,219 grams/76 cm long/up to 113 kg. Both snowshoes were tested using an overall rucksack weight of approximately 96 kg and 80 kg. The difference in size... [Read more]
The Harz “Witches’ Climb” winter trip
Having just completed my Christmas indulgences and learning that the weather forecast promised blue skies for the next few days, I decided at short notice that I would undertake a two-day solo trip of half the Harz “Witches’ Climb” (50 km). The Harz “Witches’ Climb” is 97 kilometers long in total and crosses the Harz Mountains from West to East. It is a main hiking trail signposted throughout... [Read more]
The aim of this ultralight hiking blog is to enhance the popularity of this form of activity and provide suggestions for a range of trips. 