Announcing UBN: a social network for ultralight backpackers

[Zach Denton]

I've been lurking here at WhiteBlaze for some time and, although the forums are great for discussing topics anonymously, they do not allow you to connect with individual hikers.

Many of you may use Facebook, which is great for connecting and communicating with your friends. Unfortunately, most of the friends you have on there are probably not hikers, and thus you cannot discuss hiking with them.

Wouldn't it be great to have a "Facebook" for hikers? I certainly think so. That way you could update your status with the latest gear you have purchased/made or post your current location on the trail. Plus, you could upload your hiking photos and share it with a community that appreciates them. Furthermore, you would have a hiking-specific profile, where you can post your gear lists and list of hiking trips that you've been on. It would be easy to send out a message to people on your friends list to organize a section hike.


Therefore, it is with great pleasure I announce the release of UltralightBackpackingNetwork: a social network for ultralight backpackers. I think that this will be a great website to use for connecting with individual members of the community.

Furthermore, UBN features an articles section which aims to be a free, centralized repository for ultralight backpacking information. WhiteBlaze contains a wealth of information, but the information is scattered about the site. If any ultralight backpacking experts out there would like to assist me as a guest author in assembling this knowledge, just sign up at UBN and contact me.

Note that since UBN has only just been released, there aren't many members yet. Therefore, it's up to you to sign up and maximize the utility of the website. I encourage you to invite any backpackers you know to join the website so that they, too, may benefit from UBN.

p.s. We're currently working on a feature that allows hikers to update their status from the trail using a mobile phone. This feature should be out any day now and will be great for thru-hikers who want to let their friends and family know exactly where they are and what they're doing.

[DocHolliday]

Social networking sites are becoming a plague.

That's just what I want to do, update my status on the trail.

"Doc is just wanted to let you all know that I'm cleaning my armpits with a scrap of towel and some camp suds."

"Doc is currently chaffing a **** ton."

...give me a break.

[Zach Denton]

Doc, although there has been a profusion of social networking sites recently, you're missing the intrinsic value of UBN.

UBN is geared specifically toward ultralight backpackers, meaning that almost anyone on the site would be willing to plan a trip with you or discuss the pros and cons of their gear.

You know all the great people you meet while hiking the AT? The goal is to be able to find them on UBN and maybe hike with them again sometime. At the very least you would be able to reminisce on the great time you had.

I think that most people will use the status updates for news that they feel is worth reading, such as "I just made it to Fontana" or "I'm testing out a new stove design - I'll let you guys know if it works!" Perhaps gear manufacturers will use this so that we get more insight into the design process. This will be a great way to stay up-to-the-minute in the ultralight backpacking community.

I'm offering UBN as a free service to hikers, and I think that it will be of great benefit to the community in the future.

[Wolf - 23000]

Doc, although there has been a profusion of social networking sites recently, you're missing the intrinsic value of UBN.

UBN is geared specifically toward ultralight backpackers, meaning that almost anyone on the site would be willing to plan a trip with you or discuss the pros and cons of their gear.

You know all the great people you meet while hiking the AT? The goal is to be able to find them on UBN and maybe hike with them again sometime. At the very least you would be able to reminisce on the great time you had.

I think that most people will use the status updates for news that they feel is worth reading, such as "I just made it to Fontana" or "I'm testing out a new stove design - I'll let you guys know if it works!" Perhaps gear manufacturers will use this so that we get more insight into the design process. This will be a great way to stay up-to-the-minute in the ultralight backpacking community.

I'm offering UBN as a free service to hikers, and I think that it will be of great benefit to the community in the future.

Zach,

UL Backpacking is not about what gear someone uses or doesn't uses. It often depends on the level of experience of the hiker using it. Which goes on to their reasoning to list something as having pro/cons - it is all the prospective of the users how they are using their equipment and what they are hiking. For example, is an alcohol stove better than a white gas stove? An alcohol stove is clearly lighter but also takes more fuel to boil water. If you're hiking in very cold temperatures or say sharing your stove with another person, then a gas stove might make more sense over an alcohol stove in the sense they will be carrying less weight in fuel to do the same task. A gear list doesn't tell you any of that.
Also how experience is this hiker posting. I'm sorry to be harsh on some people but there are a lot of BS out there that boost about UL hiking but bail out the first when the weather gets bad or have to rely on others hikers for their safety.

While hiking, I've met some extremely great hikers in my time. Some were UL others were not. There are already a lot of forms that we stay in touch. One guy I met briefly for a few minutes looked me up 14 years later. I guess I had that much impact on his hike he looked me up. Anyway, my personal favorite is seeing everyone at the ALDHA Gathering. You should consider joining if you have not already.

Wolf

[Zach Denton]

UL Backpacking is not about what gear someone uses or doesn't uses. It often depends on the level of experience of the hiker using it. Which goes on to their reasoning to list something as having pro/cons - it is all the prospective of the users how they are using their equipment and what they are hiking. For example, is an alcohol stove better than a white gas stove? An alcohol stove is clearly lighter but also takes more fuel to boil water. If you're hiking in very cold temperatures or say sharing your stove with another person, then a gas stove might make more sense over an alcohol stove in the sense they will be carrying less weight in fuel to do the same task. A gear list doesn't tell you any of that.

Wolf, this is sound advice. One should always evaluate a decision before taking action. Furthermore, it is important that you have a gear system that works for you.

Forums like WhiteBlaze are great for evaluating individual items in a gear system. Most of the "gear list" topics on here are posted by hikers who still haven't finalized their system. Others comment and state which items they are missing. This is a great resource for learning about individual components of the system but not for learning about entire systems that work.

On UBN, however, you list a gear system that you are experienced with -- the gear you currently use when hiking. By listing the gear you use in your UBN profile, you are providing an example of a fully functioning gear system. You can then share with other hikers exactly how this system works for you.

With that in mind, the main focus of UBN is not posting your gear list. Rather, it is designed to facilitate discussion between individuals. The gear list section merely provides a topic of discussion and an example of a working system.

Also how experience is this hiker posting. I'm sorry to be harsh on some people but there are a lot of BS out there that boost about UL hiking but bail out the first when the weather gets bad or have to rely on others hikers for their safety.

Let me begin by saying that I do not claim to be an expert -- far from it. I am constantly learning new things.

In real life, I have noticed that one learns best from individuals -- mentors. These people are typically highly knowledgeable about specific topics, and are happy to share what they know. On UBN, you would be able to connect with such mentors and learn in a far more personal manner. Note that this is not a one way interaction -- they share what they know with you, you share what you know with others, and so on.

As far as my experience is concerned, I first started backpacking when I was 11. I did a section of the AT with some of the guys from my scout troop. We started out at some point in western MD and ended up in Harpers Ferry. Since then I've been hooked and recently I went on a 7-day trip in the southernmost alpine region of Sweden. In about four weeks I will be going backpacking in Switzerland for about 10 days. Hopefully in the fall I will be thru-hiking the JMT and then next spring I will be thru-hiking the AT. However, I feel that all of this is irrelevant; after all, it is you who should be contributing to the UBN community.

While hiking, I've met some extremely great hikers in my time. Some were UL others were not. There are already a lot of forms that we stay in touch. One guy I met briefly for a few minutes looked me up 14 years later. I guess I had that much impact on his hike he looked me up. Anyway, my personal favorite is seeing everyone at the ALDHA Gathering. You should consider joining if you have not already.

It's great that you were able to reconnect with hikers that you met on the trail. On the other hand, it is a shame that it took 14 years for that guy to find you. That's 14 years of great experiences you could have had together.

I feel that UBN is the natural progression in inter-hiker communications. On UBN, you can search for someone by name or trail name and instantly contact them.

Although I have never been to the ALDHA Gathering, I understand that it is a wonderful event. I will definitely be joining after I finish my thru-hike. However, ALDHA is an annual event. With UBN, you don't have to wait until October to talk to your friends -- you can talk with them right now.

[DocHolliday]

I don't mean to diss your hard work and efforts, but I really don't see any unique benefit that UBN brings to the table.

In fact, if anything it breaks down the widespread focus that makes websites like WhiteBlaze so valuable. The only thing your current website would effectively accomplish is the division of hikers into smaller groups, and taking away from the mass posting and exchange of information.

It's a nice site, and the idea seems well founded, but you need to take into consideration the services that your demographic seeks. Take some times to survey the local communities, find out what they're lacking, and provide it to them.

Also take into consideration the age group you're dealing with. These 'ol farts don't want to go anywhere.

[Zach Denton]

Doc, you seem to be a fairly opinionated fellow. What would you like to see in a site like UBN?

[Johnny Thunder]

Social networking sites are becoming a plague.

.

Says the character on a social networking site...

[David@whiteblaze]

Hmm, I only have two comments: First, why ultralight? I have a 25# gear and 4 day food weight, and just because someone wants to bring an extra camp chair or game, does that mean they are excluded? Sure, most hikers on the AT end up whittling their weight down along the way, but if they don't to your standards? And second, it sounds like the only thing that you don't see here is a button next to the online status of a user that says "IM with this user" just thinking...

[mtnkngxt]

Pay no attention to Doc Holiday, he is a new resident troll. Then I looked at where he was from, and was not suprised.

[Mags]

Pay no attention to Doc Holiday, he is a new resident troll. Then I looked at where he was from, and was not suprised.

Hey..put a kibosh on the personal attacks. Doc gave a reasonable opinion that was not strident. It is ok to disagree as long as you are not disagreeable. Doc was not.

[Zach Denton]

Hmm, I only have two comments: First, why ultralight? I have a 25# gear and 4 day food weight, and just because someone wants to bring an extra camp chair or game, does that mean they are excluded? Sure, most hikers on the AT end up whittling their weight down along the way, but if they don't to your standards? And second, it sounds like the only thing that you don't see here is a button next to the online status of a user that says "IM with this user" just thinking...

Thanks for the feedback, David. It's true, UBN is focused on ultralight backpackers. It's a great site if you want to become ultralight or are ultralight and want to share with the rest of the ultralight community.

However, within the next few weeks or so we will be releasing a website open to all backpackers and hikers. So far the response has been mostly positive so we will try to get that site launched as soon as possible. I'll be back with more information about that when it is released.

[white_russian]

However, within the next few weeks or so we will be releasing a website open to all backpackers and hikers. So far the response has been mostly positive so we will try to get that site launched as soon as possible. I'll be back with more information about that when it is released.

Wouldn't it make more sense to start a website for regular folks and set aside sections for things ultralight. I mean in your first post you say that information on whiteblaze is fragmented, but having two completely different sites is even worse.

[Graywolf]

Wouldn't it make more sense to start a website for regular folks and set aside sections for things ultralight. I mean in your first post you say that information on whiteblaze is fragmented, but having two completely different sites is even worse.

WB does have 2 completly different sites, One is strictly on Hammocking..Whats wrong with a guy wanting to have one strictly on ULB?? I see nothing wrong with it..Why isn't there one on tarping?? But I guess it too would get lots of negative post because someone doesn't agree with it..

His site is young, Let it grow..It is for Ultra lighting. let it be...

Good job..Good to see someone branching out into other hiking realms

Graywolf

[Zach Denton]

Wouldn't it make more sense to start a website for regular folks and set aside sections for things ultralight. I mean in your first post you say that information on whiteblaze is fragmented, but having two completely different sites is even worse.

This would be a great point if we were talking about, say, cars, and I made a website solely for Maserati owners. It would obviously be more logical in this case to have a website for cars in general and then make a Maserati section, Lamborghini section, etc.

However, ultralight backpackers are unique in that the gear and techniques they use are simultaneously so specific and yet so diverse. What I mean by this is that while all of them seek to optimize the weight they carry, they do it in so many different ways. For instance, one UL backpacker may make his own UL hammocks (check this guy out), while another may use a tarptent. Therefore, I feel it is justifiable to have a network specifically for ultralight backpackers.

[Graywolf]

Heres a good model for a backpacking social network:

www.hikersjournal.ning.com

It even breaks down into different catagories, like one group is Ultra-Backpackers..One group is Appalachian Trail, etc.

Graywolf

[white_russian]

This would be a great point if we were talking about, say, cars, and I made a website solely for Maserati owners. It would obviously be more logical in this case to have a website for cars in general and then make a Maserati section, Lamborghini section, etc.

However, ultralight backpackers are unique in that the gear and techniques they use are simultaneously so specific and yet so diverse. What I mean by this is that while all of them seek to optimize the weight they carry, they do it in so many different ways. For instance, one UL backpacker may make his own UL hammocks (check this guy out), while another may use a tarptent. Therefore, I feel it is justifiable to have a network specifically for ultralight backpackers.

That doesn't make any sense. I have a generally a UL kit and a generally heavyweight kit and value each piece of both. Occasionally I go full UL or full heavyweight, but mostly somewhere in the middle. You seem to think that UL and not UL are exclusive and can not coexist, but they can. It is not black and white.

[DocHolliday]

Doc, you seem to be a fairly opinionated fellow. What would you like to see in a site like UBN?

All of my current needs are served here at whiteblaze. You'll have to do a survey to see what others may find beneficial.

Says the character on a social networking site...

I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to extend my wisdom. Friends would just be a pleasant side effect. =P


Thanks for the back up Mags. I don't understand this new internet culture where people are in constant suspicion of 'trolls'. I just wanted to help Zach enhance his website, and give him some reality on how challenging it is to create a web community. Making a website is one thing, but providing a platform that is powerful enough to cause a migration of users from a different site is another. There's a lot more pencil and paper time than there is PHP time.

And what's wrong with Rochester?

I know we have lots of bridges, but I'd hardly call the city a troll village...

[Tinker]

I thought there already was a site for ultralight backpacking:
www.backpackinglight.com

How many do we need? - and, as another poster alluded to, and I will concur - how many notices do I really want in my email box reading "so-and-so commented on so-and-so's response to such-and-such?
Go for it. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. If it does, it does. You probably won't see me there anytime soon, but it might just be the thing that floats someone's boat.

[Knees]

There doesn't seem to be much at your site. Am I missing something? What are you offering that Whiteblaze, Trail Journals, and FB don't already offer?