Table of Contents

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroduction: The Ultralight WayPillars of the Ultralight Way; Why Ultralight?1. BackpacksThe Right Fit, the Right Feel; Lighweight Backpacks; The Ultralight Backpack; Trimming the Fat; How to Pack a Pack2. ShelterTents; The Ultralight Tent; Trimming the Fat; Bivy Sacks3. Sleeping BagsDown versus Synthetics; The Ultralight Sleeping Bag; Care of Your Bag; Sleeping Pads; Trimming the Fat4. FootwearThe Big Switch; The Naked Foot; Ankle Support; The Ultralight Shoe; Trimming the Fat; Rain and Wetness; Shoe Care; Insoles; Socks5. ClothingThe Layering System; Trimming the Fat6. The Rest of the GearWhat to Bring; Trimming the Fat; What to Leave at Home7. FoodBuilding Blocks of Ultralight Food; And Now . . . the Food8. Health and SafetyAnimals; Staying Found; Weather; First Aid; Drinking Water; Hygiene; Stretching9. WalkingRelaxation: The Strongest Muscle; Bones: The Soft Touch; Keeping Pace; Rest Breaks; Trekking Poles10. The Ultralight State of MindThe Most Essential Piece of Gear; The Mythology of Gear; From Equipment Reliance to Self-Reliance; Meditation; Wilderness Ethics11. On the Long-Distance TrailTraining; Logistics and Planning; Mental Adjustments; Training: Month-by-MonthAppendicesAn Ultralighter's Overnight PackManufacturers and SuppliersWorld Wide Web ResourcesIndexPhoto Credits and Trademarks

About the Author

Ryel Kestenbaum (Los Angeles, CA) is a writer and certified ski instructor who caught the ultralight bug years ago. He has logged hundreds of ultralight miles on both the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails, as well as on shorter stretches in Yosemite, the Sierra Nevada, and along the Continental Divide Trail.