WTF?!

I did enjoy the lightweight backpacker Ray Jardine's book, Beyond Backpacking. It has some pretty interesting ideas and neat stories to go along.

I don't think Ray was every crazy enough to suggest not carrying any first aid though...

If I wanted to (and this board allowed it? I could supply a rather lengthy list of (censored) that that magazine (and others) have considered "wisdom".

I gotta admit I am one of those that didn't really understand the need for long fixed blades for hiking/backpacking. Even for fishing/camping... I carry plenty of firestarting gimmicks so I don't think I'll really need to make fuzz sticks or stuff like that to start a fire.

So I was about to start carrying a small office box cutter to cut cord and open up packages... until I started to play with food. Food is the reason i'm carrying a regular sized Victorinox One-handed Trekker on my trips. Whenever there's food, a knife comes in really handy. To cut cheese, open up packages, etc.

So don't be too rough on Backpacker Magazine, at least on the razor blade thingy (I agree no water is silly).

Razor blades are clumsy, especially if hands are cold, and besides, people don't carry knives into the wilderness for medical reasons.
KEEP the map, unless very familiar with the area.
Always keep one bottle full for in between water sources, even if you don't anticipate being thirsty. Keep in mind that unless you have a map, you might not know where those water sources are.

I'm going to have to read that article. That's bad advice to not have at least a small med kit, a map, some water, and a proper knife, even if just a Swiss Army type. A map can really save your butt by keeping you on course and preventing the need for other survival gear.

Now having said that, weight is very critical. I'm a very "be prepared" conscious person. I constantly struggle with the balance between being prepared and keeping the weight down. It's a tough balance. I do try to carry the minimum amount of water, within reason -- emphasis on reason. I do my homework and really evaluate my water needs, mileages, and where my next refill point is. I always carry a bit more than I think I'll need.

Now as to purification. There have been studies that have indicated that much of the water is still quite drinkable, particularly at higher altitudes, in the Western US. I read an article some time ago in the LA times about an MD who hikes and regularly samples water along his route. Conclusion? All drinkable. Let me add that I usually do carry a filter despite the extra weight and am very cautious about where I gather water. Nevertheless, there is a bit of overhype on the omnipresent necessity of water purifcation.

As someone who's had giardia, I agree with you about the need to be cautious about your water no matter what the elevation. It can be a pain to filter or treat all your water, but then again, so is living by the toilet and injesting nothing but fluids for a week waiting for the horse pills to kill everything in your intestines.

As someone else who's been infected with Giardia, I second that. I do not drink raw water unless I have absolutely no other choice.

WTF indeed. Dorn has some really screwy ideas about how to save weight, but depending on finding another hiker with a first aid kit for you to bum from was the final straw for me...

These guys stress over a few extra ounces? Sounds to me like they need to invest in a stair-stepper.