Late February – 7 AM.
Kept up for the past couple of hours, I have new ideas brewing in my mind. I’m eager to get out and test a new Ultralight Kit that I’ve been working on. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t debating my escape from this warm cocoon of a bed though.
Outside, it’s another brisk and dreary late winter morning here in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. Honestly, this is the type of weather that I live for as a photographer and outdoorsman though. So it isn’t hard to convince myself to gather my gear and head for the mountains.
upon arrival.
As I’m entering a section of new and unexplored land, I can feel the frozen soil and grass crunch beneath my feet. Within my upcoming steps the ground changes to ankle-deep mud.
Over the past week, the heavens have released a couple of months worth of rain and everything is sopping wet. Equipped with nothing but a fixed blade knife, a 32oz bottle of water and a 4lb ‘Ultralight Bushcraft Kit’, I’m excited to explore and see what the day holds.
minimal & ultralight.
Hiking for an hour or so, I have never felt freer when it comes to my gear and kit. The only thing in my hand is a 32oz water bottle. While 4lb’s of gear resides on the small of my back in the Helikon-Tex Possum Pack. I’m already seeing that this kit will afford me all of the versatility I need on this adventure without weighing me down.
With such a small pack I have been forced to get creative with my load-out. All of my tools and emergencies contingencies are in the Possum Pack. While my breakfast and dry firewood for the FireBox Nano Stove is dry and tucked away in my down-jacket pockets.
quiet moments.
It’s around 8:35 am as I take a break atop a mountain overlook to eat my breakfast and enjoy some of my morning tea. Besides seeing 1 gentleman and his 3 large white dogs from afar, I have this forest to myself.
I am accompanied only by chirping birds, a nearby woodpecker in a tree and a brisk wind that’s wafting all around this rocky outcrop.
do more with less.
Today is all about being free to roam in the outdoors. To experience all I can of nature, without the burden of heavy gear weighing me down. The Helikon-Tex Possum Pack has been so comfortable that it’s non-existent in my mind, which is the first time I’ve ever said that about any pack.
However, inside this pack, I have everything I could need. A few luxuries even.
- Firebox Nano Stove and X-Case
- Pathfinder Packable 4.3” Grill
- Pathfinder Bottle Cooking Kit
- ExoTac nanoSTRIKER XL Fire Starter, UCO Stormproof Matches, Bic Lighter and some home-made fire tinder
- Rite In The Rain 3×5 Notebook and EDC Pen to write this entry
- Opinel No12 Saw
- Olight i3t Flashlight
- A sitting mat, some paracord, a few carabiners, Gorilla Tape, a few first aid supplies and a bandana
I’ve always heard the saying, “The more you know, the less you carry”. Well, I wouldn’t say that I’m a wealth of knowledge. But I can certainly say, the more you get out in the field, the less gear you’ll feel the need to carry.
Read Next: Helikon Tex Bushcraft Haversack Kit
At this point, I’m honestly quite shocked at how efficient this Ultralight Kit is and how ‘at-home’ I feel with only a few pounds of gear. This experience has me eager to see how far I can stretch myself with limited gear on some upcoming fair-weather overnight trips.
Get the Exotac Firestarter above for 20% off here (use coupon “anthonyawaken”)
always improving.
There are a few improvements that I’m looking to make to this Ultralight Kit. Along with a few things that I need to improve upon within myself as an outdoorsman.
- Stove:
While using the FireBox Nano Stove in high wind, I need to use a wind-screen. I also need to use a larger diameter piece of wood for my Swedish torch fire. - Pack:
I have a slightly larger version of the Helikon-Tex Possum Pack on the way for field-testing called the “Bandicoot”. I’m going to try this version of the pack to see if it affords a tad bit more room for my saw to fit sideways. Along with a half inch more in height for my Packable Grill.
Exotac nanoSTRIKER XL Firestarter and Firebox Nano Folding Twig Stove
- Land Nav:
On my last couple of trips, I have determined that I really need to focus on developing my navigational skills with a compass. - Adventure More:
Quite simply, this time in nature was better spent than catching a few extra hours of sleep and then heading into my office. I have always said that time spent outdoors is time you will never regret. I totally stand by this statement and I need even more of it in my life.
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Read Next: Helikon-Tex Full Brand Review | Firebox Nano Report (after 9 months of use)
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