UltraLight gear screams simplicity and utility. Extra features just add unnecessary weight, so we avoid them like the plague. This Make Your Own Gear project is about as uncomplicated and inexpensive as they come, and it works great too!
Start with a flat piece of cord - I like to use this type I get from zpacks.com, but you can use anything you have. Cut it to about 26" long, then singe the ends.
For the end attachments, I tie a modified taut-line hitch. The difference is that you only wrap around the cord once in the first step to keep the knot as small as possible.
Just slip the loops over the ends of your sunglasses, snug up and you're done. A .10 ounce super simple project that will last you for years and years.
Waterfalls, they're just falling water, so why are they so inspirational?
If you ever get the chance to visit Zion National Park in Utah, I strongly suggest you head to Observation Point. The hike begins on the valley floor at the Weeping Rock trailhead, and rises some 2,150 feet on a wonderful 4 mile (each way) long trail. The first mile or so has you zig-zagging back and forth up the steep mountain face. Here's the view looking back down...
As the trail heads into the canyon, look to your left over the edge to see a maze that flood water has carved over the years.
The canyon walls almost seem to glow like the colors of an oil painting!
Happy hikers...
Be careful not to get your feet wet (like we did) while navigating this stream crossing.
You just might find yourself stopping to admire the dark canyons along the way.
One of the locals...
A nice valley with views towards the east entrance of the park.
As you climb the steep trail, you get a sneak peak of what's to come.
Portions of the trail, although plenty wide, have lots of exposure which can be nerve-racking to people with a healthy fear of heights (like me)!
Once you make your way to Observation Point you are treated to this unbelievable view down Zion Canyon. Jutting out from the right is Angels Landing, another rewarding day hike with chains to hold onto in the exposed sections, leading you to the end that would otherwise be most dangerous to get to.
The breathtaking views go on and on, making this one hike you won't want to miss!
One thing that we UltraLight backpackers tend to have in common, other than continuously shaving ounces from our gear, is our backpacking style. Style you ask? What images come to mind when you think about the traditional backpacker? Most likely it's more than just an oversized pack with a hiker struggling under its excessive weight. Usually you will see all kinds of extra gear strapped to the outside of their pack. Yes, now you're getting the picture of traditional backpacking style!
In the above photo is my wife Juggy on our recent trip to Kolob Canyons in Utah. She is always great about my borderline obsessive behavior when it comes to shaving pack weight, and never makes fun of me even though I give her plenty of opportunities. In fact, she really appreciates the fact that her base weight is just over 5 pounds and totally embraces the UltraLight style of a custom home-made backpack (weighing less than 6 ounces and very stylish if I do say so myself), with her closed cell foam pad rolled up inside being utilized both as padding and also as the pack frame, and all of her gear neatly tucked inside of waterproof stuff sacks.
Until recently that is...when she maliciously strapped her pillow from home to the outside of her pack, not only adding an insane amount of unnecessary weight but totally blowing any style points she had built up! You can imagine my dismay when she informed me it wasn't a joke and that the pillow would not be staying in the car. Really, a full sized pillow, strapped to the OUTSIDE???
So now the sad part...I have to break it to her that she can no longer come on our two week stint in the high Sierras this summer on the JMT, and that I think I just might need some time away from her. Who knows where this type of behavior might lead us to...hopefully not the big D!
So what do you think...am I overreacting, or should I move out?
