The flip side of ultra-light is ultra-dead

[rwc]

Light and fast is a great strategy, until it isn't. For those so inclined her are a few good thoughts.
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Lighter not always better
Rescue workers say hikers unprepared
By Jason Blevins
Denver Post Staff Writer



Carl Weil is an EMT who began working with search and rescue units in 1959. He has been a trip medic on numerous treks, including on a Mount Everest expedition in 1991. He runs Wilderness Medicine Outfitters. www.wildernessmedicine.com.

The hot trend in mountaineering these days is light and fast.

Lighten up, leave more at home, and you can increase mobility and agility while reducing fatigue, the nasty culprit behind many a mountaineering mishap.

Elite climbers take a day to go up and down peaks that traditionally required several days to complete. High-speed athletes are bagging three or more peaks in a single day, making it home for dinner with the family. Through-hikers are whittling down packs to less than 10 pounds, compared with the 60-pound packs previously required for long jaunts in the woods.

Light-and-fast disciples say it is the only way to go. Ditch the beast-of-burden ethos and erase suffering from the backcountry experience, they say.

Search and rescue specialists worry the trend leaves hikers and climbers ill-prepared for unforeseen and often inevitable calamity.

"It is very exhilarating to be able to pull it off," said Bill Barwick, a longtime search veteran with the 46-year-old Alpine Rescue Team in Evergreen. "But when you don't have some sort of backup system, you could be in a world of hurt. You might find yourself wishing for many things: matches, warm clothes, extra water. It raises the issue that there is less and less margin for a mistake."

Demetri "Coup" Coupounas, a patriarch of the nimble-is-best backpacking philosophy and co-founder of Boulder-based featherweight gear-maker GoLite, has never once pined for more on the trail. In more than a decade as an agile apostle, Coup has shaved his pack to less than 6 pounds, minus food, fuel and water. He can hike farther without tiring. He has less to lose. He can scamper. He's comfortable. He has fun.

"The trade-off with safety is illusory," said Coup, who with wife Kim has shepherded his small philosophy-driven gear company into a fervent backpacking movement. "The real shame, in my book, is all the people who, in the name of safety, are so heavily loaded down that they don't enjoy the experience at all. I think lighter is safer. The notion is that your brain goes with you everywhere and you don't add weight to it when you put more stuff in it. The more you know, the more you can leave behind."

The experienced climbers and mountaineers are the ones pushing the light-and-fast perspective. Instead of hauling a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, stove, fuel and extra food, they just hustle and make it back to shelter in a day. They replace the tent with a tarp. They hunt down the lightest gear and retire the clunky, heavy stuff. They learn to live lean.

"It is not a good style for beginner alpinists," said Charley Shimanski, education director for the national Mountain Rescue Association and longtime volunteer for the Alpine Rescue Team. "You learn light-and-fast by taking more than you need and learning over time what you didn't need."

Shimanski said the light-and-fast method is not a plague for rescuers. Most of the state's rescue missions involve people lacking equipment and experience "and have no idea they are lacking these things," he said.

Buzz Burrell, the Boulder athlete who climbs mega mountains in a single day and enjoys 100-mile solo jogs in the desert wearing a few-pound pack, was giving a slide show last week when someone asked a simple question.
"What do you do if you're out in the middle of nowhere and you sprain an ankle?"

Burrell's answer: "You don't sprain your ankle."

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell, who has pioneered the light-and-fast method for more than 30 years.

The Sultan of Speed and manager of the La Sportiva GoLite Mountain Running Team said his skill, experience and judgment replace things like extra clothing, signal mirror and first-aid kit.

"I firmly believe these are the three essential items for backcountry safety; nothing else matters that much," he said. "Speed is safety."

Ready for anything

A properly stocked pack means a lot more than a jacket and PB&J. An outdoor expert shares his must-haves
The contents of Weil's day pack:

2-liter drink bladder (full)

Empty 3-liter bladder

Metal and plastic bottles

Binoculars

Space blanket

100 feet parachute cord

Gore-tex jacket

Polypro shirt

Fleece balaclava and cap

First-aid kit

Food

30 water-purification tablets

Trekking poles

Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss

Razor

Toilet paper

Repair kit (needle, thread, buttons and wire, for fixing variety of items)

Box matches

Magnesium flint bar

Fork, two spoons, cup, plate

Compass

Fishing line, hooks

LED light with spare batteries

Two bandanas

Gaiters and mittens

Money and paper

The contents of the small, black survival-belt pouch that Weil carries at all times:

Small lighter

Magnesium fire bar

Striker

Whistle

Tweezers

CPR shield

Three nitril gloves

LED light

Two Band-aids

Antiseptic wipe

Three safety pins

Two knives: a drop point (a using knife) and a round point (medical purposes)

Multi-tool

 

[MillCreek]

I have been a hiker, backpacker, snowshoer, and XC skier in the Pacific Northwest for about 35 years now, much of that time doing these activities solo. I was with Explorer Search and Rescue for a few years and worked my way through college as a paramedic.

There may be other areas of the country in which one can get by with the 'light and fast' approach, foregoing the 10 Essentials and other emergency or spare gear. I don't think this is one of them, and I certainly would not follow this philosophy myself. I am the first to admit that for a simple day hike, I probably have 15-20 pounds of gear, most of it water and my first-aid/survival/navigation equipment. And a .357 with spare rounds, for that matter. I would much rather have the gear and not need it, than to desperately need it and not have it.

The other issue on ultra-light is durability. I have seen so many people bragging about their ultra-light shells, packs and the like, costing upwards of several hundred dollars. And so often, the durability is just terrible. The shell rips or abrades and the pack tears upon being snagged on a branch.

I am envious when I see people with no pack bounding past me on the trail like a gazelle, but then again, I have also had to help a lot of those same people when they run into problems on the trail. And although I am sure the readers of this board have already figured this out, having a cell phone in the backcountry is not a substitute for being properly prepared. Just for grins, I also carry my cell phone, but most of the time, you cannot get a signal in the Washington backwoods.

End of wilderness preparedness rant.

 

[rwc]

Agreed Mill Creek, it is a risk.
I've done both, schlepping way too much up big mountians and traversed Mt. Rainier with 20lbs. The approach I take now is situation specific. Me and a buddy on a day trip = lite is rite. My wife and 9mo. old daughter = aching back... I think when our daughter is big enough to start backpacking we'll probably try a blended approach where we don't give up on comfort, but shave ounces where we can.

Light wt. gear can be flimsy, but check out the silicon coated nylon gear coming out these days. Some of it is surprisingly tough. I've also found that durabilty is as much or more a factor of how gear is treated than the tensile strength of the fabric. I've a climbing buddy who blows through anything not made out of Hypalon. I tend to be on the careful side. Nothing like watching a pack start to slide down a glacier to make you think about how you set things down...

I posted the article for folks thinking about their own preparedness and to help them think about outdoor gear from a non-traditional perspective.

 

[ctdonath]

Once again, our advertising-driven society focuses too much on the stuff and not nearly enough on the skill/ability. It's not the stuff you have, it's whether you know how to use it and know how to cope. Graduates of Tom Brown's survival schools conclude - with reason - they don't actually need anything (highest level graduation includes spending a couple weeks in January on a mountain in nasty weather with literally nothing you've brought). High-speed/low-drag backpackers are doing something cool we can learn from; the search-and-rescue crew is (or should be) really concerned not about the light-bag crowd, but anyone out there in ignorance.

In all the threads about "bug out bags" I keep thinking how, really, it's just being ready to camp on a moment's notice with a minimal backpack under any condition. I'll have to follow this HS/LD "movement", could prove interesting...

 

[MillCreek]

Buzz Burrell, the Boulder athlete who climbs mega mountains in a single day and enjoys 100-mile solo jogs in the desert wearing a few-pound pack, was giving a slide show last week when someone asked a simple question.
"What do you do if you're out in the middle of nowhere and you sprain an ankle?"

Burrell's answer: "You don't sprain your ankle."

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell, who has pioneered the light-and-fast method for more than 30 years.

I just had to come back and add how this comment really ticks me off. Such a simplistic and unrealistic answer. I guess Mr. Burrell must never hike on a rocky trail or crossed a streambed in which the rocks can shift when you step on them. I have seen countless well-trained and well-equipped hikers have problems when the weather turns on them, someone trips and falls, or you encounter another party having a crisis. Sometimes bad things happen without any mistake being made. Your ability to respond, gained through training and proper equipment, may make the difference between life and death. Mother Nature may not be cruel, but she is notoriously unforgiving of stupidity. I have yet to be convinced that 'speed is safety' in many wilderness situations.

 

[torpid]

"What do you do if you're out in the middle of nowhere and you sprain an ankle?"

Burrell's answer: "You don't sprain your ankle."

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell

You don't have to worry about spraining your ankle when you are walking on water.

 

[MDG1976]

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell, who has pioneered the light-and-fast method for more than 30 years.

This is a guy who's going to die in the woods.

 

[MechAg94]

Well, I will admit that some people have better reflexs or something and tend to avoid injury where many would not, but it is foolish/risky IMHO to assume that you will not make a mistake. It is real bad to suggest that others take the same risks.

 

[migoi]

Sometimes..

the mountain eats you.

More power to him with high speed. I usually wander the woods to gawk. Gawking is not productive at any speed above granny gear.

migoi

 

[DelayedReaction]

I'm just getting into backpacking, and while I can see the benefits of an ultralight packer I think I'm going to end up with a balance. My initial goal is a 35 pound pack, including food/water/fuel.

 

[goalie]

Hubris comes before a fall. That man has a loooong way to fall.

 

[ctdonath]

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

The concept behind "light and fast" is that good skill and proper judgement are worth more than any amount of gear. Minimal gear and ample skill make for a safer, more comfortable trip than boatloads of gear and minimal skill.

The problem is that "light and fast" has become a marketing fad. People buy/use the stuff because they saw it advertised in a magazine, not realizing that it's meant for advanced outdoorsmen. They don't realize the extra responsibility the new stuff requires of its users.

Lots of people are going into the mountains with the worst of both worlds: minimal gear and minimal skill. It's a recipe for disaster.

But the problem is the incompetance of the average user, not the new gear.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell, who has pioneered the light-and-fast method for more than 30 years.

This is a guy who's going to die in the woods.

Not necessarily. I've known people with the skill and judgement to do this safely. It's uncommon, and I don't know whether the individual in question has that level of ability, but it's certainly possible.

The problem is that everybody and his brother thinks he can do it, too. Most people can't.

 

[goalie]

Not necessarily. I've known people with the skill and judgement to do this safely. It's uncommon, and I don't know whether the individual in question has that level of ability, but it's certainly possible.

The problem is that everybody and his brother thinks he can do it, too. Most people can't.

This guy reminds me of a famous rock climber who used to free-solo hard, long climbs in Yosemite. In case you are unfamiliar, free-soloing is going up with no rope, just your shoes, your shorts, and a chalk bag.

He fell one day when it started to rain while he was a thousand feet up a climb. He had no way to retreat.

Sometimes skill isn't enough, because luck is a double-edges sword, and the bad side of that sword can strike even the most skilled individual at the worst possible time.

 

[torpid]

Not necessarily. I've known people with the skill and judgement to do this safely. It's uncommon, and I don't know whether the individual in question has that level of ability, but it's certainly possible.

The problem is that everybody and his brother thinks he can do it, too. Most people can't.

Only because most people aren't 100% perfect with the added benefit of being able to avoid any and all unforeseable mishaps and acts of nature before they manifest to annoy and menace them.

It's not about pulling it off 1, 10, or even 300 times safely- it's the mindset that, "I will not screw up or have any difficulties, therefore there is no Plan B."

Remember, even the sh*t hottest fighter jocks were sitting on an ejection seat when they made their kills.

 

[Ryder]

Yup, with 30 years experience he knows his limitations as well as anyone can. That's worth a lot more than a bandaid. It's not a philosophy, it's an aquired skill.

His mode of operation is in line with how I ride motorcycles. After 30 years of riding I can go farther faster (and safer) without a huge load of stuff I won't use.

If safety equipment is what allows people to participate that's great but I have to wonder how long their luck will hold out. An MSF instructor once told me of the half dozen crashes he survived because of all his safety gear I'll bet on my riding skills over expensive gear any day. There is simply nothing safer than not crashing (on a regular basis!!!) .

 

[zahc]

You know, I spend a good amount of time skateboarding and riding little kids bikes. I can really relate. As a rule we don't wear safety gear. It's not because we don't think it will help us avoid injury when we fall, it's just that if you do it long enough you tend to eventually adopt the philosophy that is to simply to be damn quick, careful, and take whatever comes.

You can kill yourself wearing full safety gear, so safety gear is kind of an arbitrary level of protection. I've yet to find knee pads that don't restrict my legs whatsoever or a helmet that is weightless, and another obstacle of trying to overcome the limitations of safety gear is last thing I need out here.

Some times more sensible people will express surprise that I'm out jumping off buildings on my bike and not wearing any safety gear. If I wanted to stay safe I wouldn't be riding. You make your choices and take your chances. Living can be dangerous.

 

[JamisJockey]

Just for grins, I also carry my cell phone, but most of the time, you cannot get a signal in the Washington backwoods.

Same thing here in Utah.
There are places I mountain bike and snowshoe within 30 minutes of civilization where there is no cell signal.
Even on well traveled trails I always carry a first aid kit, space blanket, and my emergency whistle/compass/matchbox.

When I was into 4x4ing it amazed me how many people I saved in the middle of nowhere who were absolutely unprepared for what they were doing. You'd think, with a freaking 4x4 to carry your gear, you'd carry everything you need. Nope. No tow rope. No duct tape. No fuses. No spare tire. Nothing to make a fire with the abundant driftwood when you're sitting overnight stuck in a sanddune bowl with your tires at 45psi.

This is a guy who's going to die in the woods.

Agreed. Arrogant is usually a good way to end up dead.

 

[c_yeager]

The more you know, the more you can leave behind.

Im too good a driver to need a seatbelt.

My motorcycle helmet limits my visibility, so i dont wear it.

Only i am professional enough to ignore the four-rules.

This guy does realize that a whole lot of the world is well outside his control no matter how smart he thinks he is, right? he doesnt appear to be smart enough to know that you can never know everything.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

You make your choices and take your chances. Living can be dangerous.

And because folks like you don't take the proper precautions, people like me end up helping to foot your rescue bills.

It's not because we don't think it will help us avoid injury when we fall, it's just that if you do it long enough you tend to eventually adopt the philosophy that is to simply to be damn quick, careful, and take whatever comes.

You can kill yourself wearing full safety gear, so safety gear is kind of an arbitrary level of protection.

So I am guessing you hot shots who are damn quick don't want or need guns for self defense because you can get killed with a gun, so it is an arbitrary level of protection.

Sure you can get killed in safety gear. From what I have seen you can get killed a lot easier without it.

 

[torpid]

So I am guessing you hot shots who are damn quick don't want or need guns for self defense because you can get killed with a gun, so it is an arbitrary level of protection.

Adding on further:

You don't ever need to have a gun, because you'll never allow yourself to get into a situation where you would need one.

"What do you do if you're in a situation where you have to defend your own life?"

Answer: "You don't get in that situation."

"You don't get assaulted, you don't get attacked, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking a weapon to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any."

Remember the Boy Scout motto...
"We don't screw up, beacuse we aren't prepared for that."

 

[pauli]

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell, who has pioneered the light-and-fast method for more than 30 years.

I've known people with the skill and judgement to do this safely.

people with that kind of judgement don't give that kind of answer. they know better.

 

[LawDog]

They're called accidents for a reason: we don't plan to have them.

"You don't get lost, you don't get hurt, you don't make a single mistake. Instead of taking heavy extra gear to compensate for a mistake, you don't make any," said Burrell, who has pioneered the light-and-fast method for more than 30 years.

People get hurt walking down a perfectly level sidewalk. Stuff happens. People make mistakes.

What this clown should have said, is that you should "train diligently enough to use stuff found in nature to compensate for mistakes."

I hike alot. Just got back from a hunt/hike in West Texas way the heck out in the boonies, as a matter-of--fact. I take the minimum amount of equipment packed as light as possible, but I take enough to ensure that I can get myself out of 90% of the jams that might occur.

LawDog

 

[45+]

If you want to hike with no gear or minimal gear, that is still your right in this country. It may or may not be prudent, but it is legal. It is also legal to live below sea level in NOLA without a plan for LEAVING OR STAYING. It may be real painful, but it is legal.

I would think that a lot of folks on this board have extra. Extra food, extra water, extra ammo. Extra meaning more than we think we should need for "normal" situations, because most of us probably do not believe that the future only holds "normal" situations for us.

We saw lots of folks arrive at the government facility in NOLA without anything to contribute to their own survival. I am not condemning, I just want to learn from what I saw happening to them after the hurricane. We all need help sometime during our lives, due to our own mistakes or cicumstances beyond our control. Quite often it will come along at the proper moment. I am willing to help those who need it, in life just as on the trail. But even a little planning might have improved their condition when things got bad. There was rainfall and there was combustible trash. Why not collect the rainfall and boil it for drinking water? Why go thirsty when the resources were available? They did not "see" the resources. They were waiting for help instead of looking for solutions.

I personally have a responsibility to make what provision (knowledge and gear) I can for myself and my family so that we "fork our own broncs," as Louis Lamore says. I remember the story about the young man whose arm got pinned while hiking and IIRC he used his belt for a tournequet and amputated his arm with a mutitool. If he had waited for help, he would have perished. I try to live as though help is not coming and be grateful when it does.

I had also rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. YMMV.

Good shootin'....