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Netherlands, Amsterdam
1 Level
458 Review
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Review on πŸ•οΈ Maximizing your Camping Experience: 153 Ultralight Backpacking Tips for Affordable & Lightweight Adventures by Ericka Montoya

Revainrating 4 out of 5

Very funny and useful book

This book is very funny and has a lighthearted approach. You will laugh throughout the book. A few tips I want to draw your attention to. #4 An aluminum can of cat food pulled from the trash makes an efficient, lightweight cooker. We're sorry? The Super Cat (yes, I built one) is light, but I wouldn't call it efficient, especially when it comes to fuel economy. A standard Supercat burns 1/4 cup of alcohol in 12 minutes. There are much more economical ovens on the market and you can find DIY videos on You Tube. Under perfect conditions, my MAHALO Oven can boil two cups of water with 12.5-15ml of alcohol, which is 1/4 the amount needed for Super Cat. If you like DIY there are two videos on You Tube listing MAHALO 1.4 and 1.5 sizes for you to build your own oven. #8 He recommends a single-edged razor blade as a cutting tool instead of a knife. It's true that a razor blade can replace some cutting needs; but a razor blade will NEVER replace a knife. A knife can be used to chop wood for a fire, make firewood for tinder, and use it for self-defense. There's a big difference between walking in the light and walking in a dumb light. I will never leave my mora at home with a gun in hand. My backpack weighs only 11 pounds without supplies, and almost 1 pound is in my survival and first aid combo. #30 He went back to making a stove out of a can of cat food. He also said you could transport fuel in a soda bottle and make a windshield out of aluminum foil. If you carry alcohol in a plastic bottle, either add some food coloring to the alcohol or put a warning label on the bottle. You don't want someone drinking alcohol thinking it's water. Make a windshield out of aluminum foil. Start with about 1.5 feet of aluminum foil. Maintaining the width of the aluminum, fold in half and fold again. You will end up with a strip of aluminum that is about a roll long and 4 inches wide. It makes a decent windshield. Ryan Jordan's Going SUL article was a treat. SUL stands for Super UltraLight (package weight 5 pounds or less). small tube of toothpaste. I will not leave toilet paper at home and will dry myself with rock leaves or snow as the author suggests. Until my backpack of food and fuel is reduced to 20 pounds; as easy as i have to go.

Pros
  • Brilliantly made
Cons
  • Long wait