A trend in ultralight-speak is defining “simplicity” and its meaning within the context of personal relationships with wilderness travel. A couple of examples: Ryan Jordan writes on his blog about Wilderness Simplicity, Flexibility, and Power: I love Brent Simmon’s recent post about flexibility and power in the context of iOS Apps, and especially, his brilliant [...]
In A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold argues cultural values make and feed a healthy culture. For outdoor sports, he outlines three types of experiential values that provide nutrition to the sporting culture. These values apply to the modern lightweight movement as well as they do to the hook-and-bullet sports he writes about. Awareness and [...]
Back in 2004, I wrote an article called Nessmuking: A Return to Simple. In it I argued about the need to emphasize skills over equipment in the lightweight movement, because if you have the skills to survive in the wilderness, you can carry less and travel more simply. The argument continued that enjoyment is increased [...]
Most paddlers would sit up and listen when told they could actually travel the same distance without working any harder in less time. They’d lean in much closer when told that there was a secret that could allow them to travel an additional 24 miles in a ten day trip without any additional hours on the water, and most would be surprised to learn the secret is actually simple. Learn the secret in this article.
Why the 35 Day Challenge? Simple. The 35 Day Challenge is engineered to challenge your perceptions as what is possible when traveling by canoe. A small waterproof pack, like the Sealline 35 Day Pack can be used to carry everything you need for a backcountry trip. And you’ll still be comfortable while doing it.
![081013-214[1]](http://www.paddlinglight.com/pl/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/081013-2141-150x150.jpg "Permalink to Getting Light Weight")
Learn about lightweight gear systems and how to reduce the weight of gear that you carry.
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The light-weight philosophy of Nessmuking stresses a strong skill base that allows the wilderness tripper to travel lighter, faster and safer in more comfort and more simply than with traditional tripping styles. The following articles are planned and form the basis of the movement.
Every philosophy, even those grounded in skills, like Nessmuking, must evaluate the gear that they utilize. Even Nessmuk produced a core list, evaluated gear, and added up the weights. For most philosophies, this is where you are left. As stated before the Nessmuking philosophy doesn’t start and end with the discussing of the merits of [...]
You should learn not only to use a compass, but also good map reading before you venture into the wilds of the northern woods or the wilds of the woods anywhere.
Extra planning and carefully finding compatible expedition partners are essential steps for successful. By taking the steps outlined here, many of the bad things that can happen in the woods can be avoided, and these steps can help out your next trip.
The simple question is why? Why Nessmuking? Many wilderness travelers who’ve spent time in the woods using conventional gear and methods, upon seeing someone traveling with just a light bag on their back, a feather light boat, and a smile, often ask why travel so light. Here are some answers.
The article that started it all. A brief look to the past to see what we can learn from Nessmuk, a writer from the late 1800s. Bryan Hansel examines Nessmuk and formulates a philosophy that can be used by modern wilderness trippers.
Adding Ritual to Paddling Trips
Adding a ritual to the beginning of a paddling trip helps create a break from our normal life, which helps to enrich both our experience of the trip and our “real” lives after. After months of planning, organizing, packing and traveling, the start of a paddling trip is a relief. The instant of push-off removes [...]