Review: The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka

[Mags]

A review of The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide (http://andrewskurka.com/product/ultimate-hikers-gear-guide/)by Andrew Skurka. A guide that is aimed towards the backpacker that wishes to hike more and camp a bit less.

Full Disclosure: I am assisting Andrew with a trip in Rocky Mountain National Park in August. (http://www.pmags.com/shameless-plug-guide-trip-in-rocky-mountain-national-park) Great trip and an opportunity to apply some of the concepts of the book !



Andrew Skurka's new book's main thrust is to get backpackers to enjoy the hiking part of backpacking more and struggling a bit less while hiking to get to camp.
The book's main audience is perhaps an experienced backpacker who wishes to lighten their load a bit in order to hike more and camp less.
As an experienced long distance hiker, I am not the book's main audience. In fact, much of my own style already mirrors that of Andrew: More of a minimalist than an ultralighter (http://www.pmags.com/dirt-bagging). Where the gear I bring is dependent on the trip, conditions and desired aim. Our equipment choices may differ (and was I once described as that "I make hiker trash look more trashy" http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif ), but the overall ideas and philosophy are very similar.
But the book is not really aimed towards someone like me.
It really is aimed towards someone who is a traditional backpacker. The type who thinks that it just ain't backpacking unless you haul 40 lbs+ of stuff on your back and that trudging uncomfortably to a camp site and call it good.
Not my style.
Luckily I am engaged to such a person who had such a syle. http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
Adrianna enjoys backpacking but has no desire to hike the 200 mile John Muir Trail much less 2000 miles on the Appalachian Trail. Where Ramen noodles for five months sounds awful. And where she will take her Crocs thank-you-very-much. http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/d/23045-1/image006.jpg?g2_GALLERYSID=0e5b33ac3c64c5ba8674466 0aa9f51b0
Insists on taking Crocs. Far more attractive than me, too http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif Over the course of our relationship, I've managed to convince her to lighten her load a bit and that lightweight gear can be functionally the same as traditional gear but lighter. (http://www.pmags.com/gear-review-six-moon-designs-lunar-duo)
Still, I was curious to hear what she thought of Andrew's book.
So, here's a Adrianna's though's on The Ultimate Hiker's Guide.
Initial Impressions


Colorful and attractive; love the color coding of the sections to make it easier to skim and pick out needed sections
"Photos are fun and informative and presented clearly"
"The book is something that would definitely catch my eye in a book store"


Thoughts while reading the book


Andrew's ideas are applicable to her hike's. Ideas expressed are to the point with enough information to make a decision applicable to her hiking style. (Adrianna also said "That's what I have you for! http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif )
One of the criticisms of Andrew's book found on hiking forums is that Andrew's ideas have been around in the long distance hiking community for a while. That his ideas are nothing new. But, as Adrianna said "I'd rather read a book; I don't have time to Google and spend 45 minutes browsing websites [to answer a question] !"
Adrianna loved the idea of sample gear lists for different seasons and climates. She felt using the lists could help her build out her own kit for different types of trips


Final thoughts on the book


"Great for people who don't have much experience backpacking or go rarely and wish to hike more when out"
She still plans on bringing her Crocs:…. "No one takes away my Crocs!" http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif


http://www.pmags.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/crocs.jpg
Pink Crocs with an "A" on them….hmmm? http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif My own thoughts…..
Andrew Skurka's Ultimate Gear Guide is a book that definitely works well for a person wishing to transtion to more of a hiking and less camping style of backpacking or an experienced backpacker wishing to fine tune their techniques a bit. Going more minimal is not just about miles but enjoying yourself while HIKING. Andrew's book helps a person attain that goal.
A favorite book of mine and one that I recommend is Lighten Up! by Don Ladigan (http://www.amazon.com/Lighten-Up-Complete-Ultralight-Backpacking/dp/0762737344). Ladigan's book provides uber-concise info; Andrew's book provides more background information and expanded information. Honestly, I think both books are perfect for the person wishing to transition into a style different from the traditional backpacking mode and complement each other well.

[max patch]

This is an excellent read.

I picked up a couple ideas, and while I disagree with many gear choices he makes, I understand why he chooses what he does and, more importantly, while I choose what I do. Worthwhile read for anyone, even those who are already UL.

[SCRUB HIKER]

From his website, I really enjoy how clearly he thinks and writes about his gear and philosophy. It's a gift that most people, let alone hikers, aren't blessed with (try reading him side by side with Ray Jardine, for instance). I'm looking forward to reading his book, knowing that it will probably give me or refresh me on ideas that are out there on the internet, but as you mention take a lot of effort to find.

[Odd Man Out]

A review of The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide (http://andrewskurka.com/product/ultimate-hikers-gear-guide/)by Andrew Skurka...

Final thoughts on the book


"Great for people who don't have much experience backpacking or go rarely and wish to hike more when out"
She still plans on bringing her Crocs:…. "No one takes away my Crocs!" http://www.pmags.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif



Nice review and great picture! I also posted my review a while back...

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?83438-The-Ultimate-Hikers-s-Gear-Guide-by-Andrew-Skurka

I think the main point that many people miss is that Skurka is not necessarily advocating his minimalist style. He admits that he is at one end of that Ulitimate Hiker to Ultimate Camper spectrum. He was showing how he sets his priorities/objectives and then analyzes each piece of gear to accomplish those goals. If you are somewhere else on this hiking-camping spectrum, you can follow the same process, but the results will come out different. The bottom line is from the book you learn how to make informed and well thought-out decisions about your gear choices and be happy with those decisions (as opposed to packing what others tell you to pack or sticking to "conventional wisdom"). In that regard, Adrianna's decision to keep the Crocs is a perfectly acceptable as it seems to match her goals and objectives perfectly.

[Mags]

The bottom line is from the book you learn how to make informed and well thought-out decisions about your gear choices and be happy with those decisions (as opposed to packing what others tell you to pack or sticking to "conventional wisdom").

That was her take away as well. She did not find the book 'preachy', but rather gave her some ideas that work for HER.

She does not read hiking forums not does she care to long distance hike. Which is why I was curious to get her views. :)

[cabbagehead]

Instead of Crocs, I recommend using the flimsiest water shoes you can find (with the insoles taken out). They weigh the same as or less than Crocs. I prefer to hike in water shoes, and my trail runners are just a backup for when it's too wet or when there are excessively sharp objects.

[Mags]

Instead of Crocs, I recommend using the flimsiest water shoes you can find (with the insoles taken out). They weigh the same as or less than Crocs. I prefer to hike in water shoes, and my trail runners are just a backup for when it's too wet or when there are excessively sharp objects.

You can recommend all you want. :) Adrianna will never,ever, EVER get rid of her crocs. A direct quote is "No one takes away my Crocs!" Picture this said in a Central European accent. (I used to think it was sexy...until I heard one too many times about what a mess I made of our kitchen when cooking. ;) )

Remember, she is not a long distance hiker. She wants to go light but wants a creature comfort. Removing the insoles of flimsy water shoes that are not as cute her Crocs (see the big A? and the pink color? ) would not be something she would be into. ;)

Long distance hiking forums ain't the real backpacking world. Most people don't want to brag about how heavy their pack is and bemoan how people aren't as tough as they are because they schlep 80 lbs, hike 7 miles and LOVE IT. Nor do most people get to sub-5lbs with Cuben fiber and use a ziplock bag as their bivy shelter.

Most people want to go lighter, enjoy the act of hiking and maybe have a creature comfort or two in camp without being tired, achy and sore.

Andrew's book fills that gap quite nicely.

You can have the 80 lb packs and machismo. You can have the cuben fiber ziplock bags and gear wonkishness.

Most people don't care, want something in the middle of the two extremes....and are quite happy for it.

[Odd Man Out]

+1 for Mags, Adrianna, and Crocs (I've hosted an exchange student from Moldova, so I am channeling the accent now). I liked Skura's term "stupid light" to refer to those UL hikers for whom cutting grams is the ONLY goal. According to his book, cutting grams may be a means to an end, but it should never be the goal or objective.

A lot of people have items they are emotionally attached to. I always wear a hat and my best hiking hat right now is this:

http://www.barmahhats.com.au/images/1018HS_w_text.jpg

Probably weighs a "ton" by UL standards, but as Lyell Lovett said, "you can have my girl but don't touch my hat".

[Tom Murphy]

This is an excellent read.

I picked up a couple ideas, and while I disagree with many gear choices he makes, I understand why he chooses what he does and, more importantly, while I choose what I do. Worthwhile read for anyone, even those who are already UL.

Well said!

Andrew explains his choices clearly and is very fair about the advantages & disadvantages of the other alternate choices.

Great book.

Another good companion book is "Ultralight Backpackin' Tips: 153 Amazing & Inexpensive Tips for Extremely Lightweight Camping"

[Tom Murphy]

Typically, I hike in order to camp (secluded forests and off-trail summits).

Nonetheless, the book's concept of adjusting your gear to your goals, the local terrain, and the expected weather is applicable to day trips, overnights, multi night trips, section hikes, and thru hikes / campers or hikers.

[rocketsocks]

In the forward of the book he tells us that he had Colin Fletcher's books in mind when writing his,and I think that the parts on gear certainly mimic those of Fletches.Where I get a little lost is being pigeon holed into a camp or group.One of the best pieces of advise he gives is when he tells about trying to find information on Climate of an area,and when he found that the info he was given fell short,he decided to go on a quest for his own information,this I think is the best advise the book gives,bar none.When I was younger and before the internet,much of my time was spent in libraries and writing people for information,a Government agency,or a writer perhaps.On one trip to Georgia I contacted the author of a book,and he met me at a Mac Donald's(the Scotish one not the Irish Mc one) and drew me maps on the back of a napkin how to get to where I needed to be to find some gold,never got the gold,but had a great time in the getting there,thus my reward.It's a great book and I'd recomend it,but on the issue of what school one might feel thay fall into,like his Father,I'm in my lazy boy saying go ask your mother.:)

PS this is written by a guy who packs hammers in his bag,and brings home more weight (in rocks) than he started out with

PSS almost forgot,Crocs...Oooh Yeaaaaah,got a knew pair for Fathers day,been wearing em ever since,Yep they be comin with! though mine's is black.Have a great trip Mags,sounds like a good one.:)