Cool Backpacker Article

Joezilla

Joezilla

Moderator- Wilderness and Survival Skills
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NOTE: THIS IS NOT A "BASH ULTRALIGHTERS WHO DON'T BRING KNIVES" THREAD, AND IT WILL BE LOCKED IF IT GOES THAT WAY.

But even the guys at backpacker magazine are paying attention to some bush-love. Pretty cool to see a Mora on there, no doubt. Its great to see that they are getting closer to the darkside...muahahaha

http://www.backpacker.com/survival-only-a-knife/skills/14756
 
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Cool article, I like the concept. I always wanted to do a knife only course, or just play around with just a knife. There are definetly more ways to get it all done, other than just a knife, but, the skill mindset and determination is what always appealed to me.

Most of the skills we "talk" about here on the W&SS are fundamentally rooted in the "Knife Only" mindset. Its the goal that most of us would like to acheive, I know I would. I could probably get by with just a knife, but, alas, I'm a coward. I would have to have a bag of tricks close by to be my safety net.

Most of the times when I head out, I usually get my camp setup, then I take a pistol belt with my canteen, knife, and firesteel out "exploring". I never stray too far from my gear, but at times, I can be a little ways off, and feel comfortable in my "bare" loadout. Its kinda cool feeling, not having that 25lb pack on and running around in the woods.

Good stuff, thanks, Mr. Zilla. Cya soon.

Moose
 
From the article: "A Swedish Mora with a 3 7⁄8-inch fixed blade is Tony Nester’s preferred tool for bushcraft ($20, apathways.com). The reason: A fixed blade with a full tang (meaning the blade runs through the length of the handle) is stronger, so the handle never breaks."

The Mora pictured above this blurb (and most other Moras) barely has a tang running half way through the handle, never mind full length! Thought that was kinda funny. Not bashing the knife, or anything though - a Mora Clipper is in fact my preferred woods blade.

Anyway, it's good to see more backpackers being exposed to the survival aspect of camping. Too often do I see people in the mountains with just a water bottle and a few snacks... which actually reminds me of a scary sight I saw recently.

A little while back (early fall, cold out), I was finishing up a grueling 26km hike that crested 3 small mountains and passed a couple sub alpine lakes. The sun had already begun to set, and I was still 2 or 3 km from the trail head, with about an hour of light left. I would only just barely make it out on time. And what do I see? A couple of girls in their early 20s with nothing but hydration packs on, heading in the opposite direction, towards the first lake of the hike. They proceed to ask me how much farther it is to the lake, seeming giddy with excitement. I tell them they have about 3 hours of hiking over steep, sharp talus (big slopes of fallen rock, very dangerous place to slip...), and only an hour of light. I continued to tell them that there's NO way they will make it to the lake and back, and that they need to turn around and hike out. Their response? "It's okay, we've got flashlights!" And off they went, ignoring everything I said. I was dumbfounded. They very clearly did not have overnight gear in their bags; they were both carrying simple hydration bladder packs, with NO room for a sleeping bag, and it would be freezing temperatures that night. Ugh. I really hope they turned around when they hit the rock fields and realized a flashlight is not sufficient to cross terrain like that in the dark...

So yeah, the more backpackers that are exposed to the information in the article, the better. Hopefully it will spark an interest in some readers on survival.

Edit: For all I know, those two girls built a lean-to and had a big fire beside it that night, sitting at the lake discussing bushcraft and laughing about the dumbass on the trail earlier who told them to turn around!
 
I recently resubscribed to "Backpacker" after several years hiatus. Its a nice publication.
 
NothingCoherent said:
Anyway, it's good to see more backpackers being exposed to the survival aspect of camping. Too often do I see people in the mountains with just a water bottle and a few snacks... which actually reminds me of a scary sight I saw recently.

A little while back (early fall, cold out), I was finishing up a grueling 26km hike that crested 3 small mountains and passed a couple sub alpine lakes. The sun had already begun to set, and I was still 2 or 3 km from the trail head, with about an hour of light left. I would only just barely make it out on time. And what do I see? A couple of girls in their early 20s with nothing but hydration packs on, heading in the opposite direction, towards the first lake of the hike. They proceed to ask me how much farther it is to the lake, seeming giddy with excitement. I tell them they have about 3 hours of hiking over steep, sharp talus (big slopes of fallen rock, very dangerous place to slip...), and only an hour of light. I continued to tell them that there's NO way they will make it to the lake and back, and that they need to turn around and hike out. Their response? "It's okay, we've got flashlights!" And off they went, ignoring everything I said. I was dumbfounded. They very clearly did not have overnight gear in their bags; they were both carrying simple hydration bladder packs, with NO room for a sleeping bag, and it would be freezing temperatures that night. Ugh. I really hope they turned around when they hit the rock fields and realized a flashlight is not sufficient to cross terrain like that in the dark...

So yeah, the more backpackers that are exposed to the information in the article, the better. Hopefully it will spark an interest in some readers on survival.

Edit: For all I know, those two girls built a lean-to and had a big fire beside it that night, sitting at the lake discussing bushcraft and laughing about the dumbass on the trail earlier who told them to turn around!
Click to expand...

N/C, Your edit clip is priceless !!
Be safe.
 
I usually can't stand to read what NK people write about knives, it gives me an instant headache.

Has bladeforums given this article its good housekeeping seal of approval?
 
Not to violate the geas placed on he thread by Joezilla, but the nice thing in that article is it points out that you can carry a knife and still count ounces -- Moras are quite light.

Always good to see crossover between the sports.
 
I was really REALLY surprised when I weight my wood handle mora on the scale- The red handled 4 inch model (forgive me I don't know the number for it, what is it?) weighs 2.7 ounces. The Red clipper they have shown, weighs 3.8

Joe
 
Backpacker magazine has lots of knife ads. Knives seem real popular among the backpacking crowd.

I've always bought selected issues of the magazine, but Sierra Trading Post gave me a free subscription and I've found something of use in nearly every issue.

One aspect covered there we don't touch much on here is clothes.:thumbup:

Oh and Treehugger, Ultralite Fanatics, Lost in the woods, survival yada yada;):D:o
 
dangit Jim go wipe your butt with poison sumac.
 
hollowdweller said:
One aspect covered there we don't touch much on here is clothes.:thumbup:
Click to expand...
I don't read the magazine but that's true with most backpackers I've seen. They're focused on the clothes for hiking rather than bushcrafty gear. And actually, that might be a better attitude towards the outdoors. Your clothing is your first line of defense in a survival scenario. Dare I say, you should buy a good set of clothes before buying a good knife.:eek:
 
I had a subscription for a few years, but it seemed that the mag was getting thicker, but not as much info, just more ads. I know they have to pay for the thing with the ads, but its just like Climbing and G&A, they saturate you with ads for this and that. I still read it, but I don't subscribe. I get alot of it online, and old copies from friends that are through with them.

Moose
 
couple years ago they named a buck one handed multi tool as their "knife of the year"

I remember picking one up in a store one day and couldnt' believe how heavy it was
(don't remember what it was...sorry)

I kind of view backpacker mag as the "other half" ....I like to look at the lightweight stuff or the newest space age metal widgets from time to time....but in the end, I'm still gonna stay "traditional" in my choice of gear.
 
This is my favorite post from the comments section: :)

A knive is ridiculous as a ten essential to backpackers as you carry your shelter and warmth and unless you need to slice cheese a knive is silly. Having said that, the 'knive' zealotry is so entrenched in otherwise smart people, that I'll bet everyone will disagree with me but I challenge you to tell me what you use a knife for when backpacking. I do believe in a heavy duty scissors tho. Cheers
Posted: Nov 06, 2010 Babettezz
 
Like I say I've been real impressed with the mag last year or even two:thumbup:

Joe, I'm scooting across the carpet like a dog now:eek:;)
 
Backpacker does have a lot of chaff and ads, but it's got some decent stuff, too. There's a coupon circulating around online for a year's subscription for around five bucks -- I'll see if I can find it.

The backpacking/ultralight side of things is, in many cases, decades ahead of the hunting/bushcrafting/military side in terms of materials and design. Yes, wool is great, and may be irreplaceable as a long term durable fabric. But holy cow, if I'm out doing strenuous exercise in the cold for days at a time, I sure like polypro and fleece.

And then there are backpacks. 6-8 pound mil-spec tactical packs in the woods? Ugh.

It is good to see them recognize the utility of a good knife in the woods. Moras are obviously a smart, inexpensive tool that is lightweight enough for all but the most manic of purists (for whom a SAK classic is an extravagance). Though I usually prefer a high quality fixed blade of some sort, more than once my lightweight hiking knife has been an old Buck lockback with ultralight molded poly body/scales.
 
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