Well said. That's exactly the balance I'm trying to strike. My poor tired knees don't take all that weight like they used to. I'm trying to pare down the weight intelligently. No leaching off of others or razor blades instead of knives here.

"...I must have missed that issue..."

If I recall correctly, it was not long after Dorn took over as editor. Must have been at least six or seven years ago, give or take a few years...

What I object to is having my tax dollars go towards bailing some dumb cluck's butt out because their ego or laziness drove them to carry inadequate gear.

I would rather go slower, carry what I need to be safe than carry too little too far!

What I object to is having my tax dollars go towards bailing some dumb cluck's butt out because their ego or laziness drove them to carry inadequate gear.

In general the ultralightweighters don't usually carry inadequate gear, they usually have the best lightweight gear on the market and they know how to use their gear to its maximum. These guys tend to be pretty clued up and have researched their requirements. They are generally knowledgeable and experienced with regard to the wilderness.

I would have to say that folks who are not used to carrying heavy pack loads are at greater risk of becoming a casualty out in the wilderness. Carrying 50lbs of gear over distances greater than a few miles leads to exhaustion and tiredness. This is when mistakes begin to happen. The FAK carried by most backpackers/bushcrafters/ETS's in most circumstances will not stave of a life threatening issue for a casualty. They are there to provide relief from annoyances such as cuts and grazes (for folks who have fallen over because their pack was to heavy) to treating foot blisters and headaches. A FAK is in fact a rarely used item for experienced outdoors people because they tend not to do silly things out in the wilderness because their brains are'nt starved of oxygen wilst carrying 50lb packs.

The experienced ultralightweighter also have become experienced in means of navigation using a map and compass (GPS's being to heavy). The map may have become a single colour laser copy of the area they plan to navigate (they don't need the additional map legends. They know how to read a map already). They know where they are and know where they are going.

The knife has become a unnecessary insurance burden to the ultralightweighter as a razor blade will suffice to open packets of dehydrated silver foil food packets. Survival is not an issue to the ultralightweighter because they are not in survival mode, they are in trekking mode, they are confident being in the wilderness because they are experienced with the wilderness. (although for a few onces more a good knife becomes a much more flexible tool.)

At the end of the day the difference between the ultralightweight backpacker and the ETSer with the BOB is that ultralightweighter is planning for what lies ahead and for what they know to expect from their outdoor experiences whilst the ETSer is planning for the unknown (a much more difficult proposition).

Rather than condemn, we should learn from the ultralightweighter. (even more so than the military - as they really don't have the knowledge of good efficient camping technique compared to these guys)

...What I object to is having my tax dollars go towards bailing some dumb cluck's butt out because their ego or laziness drove them to carry inadequate gear...