Ultralight 4lb (with water!) Ten Essentials Kit
November 24, 2007
Everyone who spends anytime outdoors KNOWS that they never leave home without at least the “ten essentials”. Designed to keep you alive, with food/water, fire starters and even a change of clothes. Many give up these for weight, or spread them out amongst their pack making it hard to get a hold of everything in a hurry.
I carry a small lumbar pack (strapped to the outside of my pack) with everything listed below, easily detachable, easy to get to. If I need to dump my pack and run, begin to slip down a bank, need to climb to a high point to get my bearings or take a side trip after making camp, this small pack and the essentials in it are what will make sure I get out alive. I put together my kit and weighed everything for you, so you can see, even with a liter of water it can weigh a mere 4lbs. A lot of this gear you are already carrying, just bundle it together and be smart about where you put it.
| Essential | Product (& Link) | Ounces |
| Extra Clothing & Rain Gear |
SmartWool Lightweight Zip T-Shirt Equinox “The Pileus” SmartWool Socks |
8.8 1.1 4.9 |
| Compass | Suunto A-10 Compass | 0.8 |
| Extra Food & Water | Power Bar (Qty 3) Water (1 liter) |
7.8 35.20 |
| Matches & Fire Starter | Magnesium Fire Starter | 2 |
| First Aid Kit | Adventure Medical Ultralight | .3 |
| Water Treatment | Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets | 1 |
| Knife | Benchmade 556 Mini-Griptilian Knife | 2.56 |
| Whistle | REI Whistle Key Chain | .5 |
| Sunscreen & Sunglasses | Kinesys SPF 15 Sunscreen Spray Julbo Sherpa Sunglasses |
1 3.2 |
| Map | MyTopo.com Topo Maps (Various) | .2 |
| Total 4.3 lbs / 69.36 oz | ||
Hiking and Backpacking in State Parks
November 23, 2007
State Parks offer some of the best & safest hiking and backpacking. They are almost always kept up, you are paying for the maintenance, offer easy access and most trails are well documented. Here is a list of the websites that are home to your State Parks.
Atlas Race Snowshoe
November 22, 2007
Product Description
Price: $299.95
Buy Now
Increase your chances of winning your next snowshoe race with the super lightweight Atlas Race Snowshoes. This snowshoe has won more races than all other race models combined. The Hypalon II decking is puncture proof and lasts as long as you continue to race. The titanium front and rear crampons cut down on weight but grip surfaces like crazy. The turned up V-tail gives you a natural stride and reduces surface area for faster times. The lightweight binding cinches down to a light hiker or tennis shoe for less bulk.
Product Reviews
Atlas Race Shoes
One word…AWESOME!!! These shoes are as light as a sheet of paper. Ok, so they are a little expense, but I DO HAVE A TITANIUM FETISH. I ran with them last year and, other than the paint chipping a little on the frame, they look brand new. Very durable, light, they have a natural "gait" and big "wow" factor. Whenever I pull them out of the trunk, my buddies put on their drool bibs. I’m very critical, but I have nothing bad to say except about the price point. Hey, you get what you pay for….
Atlas Race Snowshoe
Price: $299.95
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Atlas 12 Series Snowshoe
November 21, 2007
Product Description
Price: $259.95
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Thanks to a ridiculously light, stiff, and responsive frame, the Atlas 12 Series Snowshoes are ready for powdery-soft or icy-steep mountain attacks. The ReactiV aluminum frame renews your snowshoeing mantra with each step light as a feather, strong as an ox. The bindings are specifically right-and left-foot molded with flexible arch supports, so your feet get a custom fit and you get crazy control. Spring-Loaded Suspension allows for natural foot movement. Whether you are packing down powder or charging up icy slopes, the sharp crampon prongs and traction rails under your feet keep you on track. On steep slopes, engage the heel lift bar for easier climbing.
Product Reviews
Outstanding Backcountry Snowshoe
The new 1225 snowshoe is a huge improvement over previous 12 and 10 series models. They are light, stable and very manueverable. The new rail geometry causes the snowshoe to track perfectly straight with little or no stepping on the inside rails. The new crampon design results in outstanding traction on steep ascents and in any snow condition including ice. Traction comes with a price: the snowshoe is very unforgiving during decents on firm snow. If you’re spacing out and the crampons bite, you’re eating snow. Traction is also outstanding on steep traverses on firm snow, but in soft snow it’s a bit dicey. The binding is easy to use, fits plastic mountaineering boots and holds the heel perfectly straight. In short, the 12 series snowshoes are an excellent backcountry tool.
ATLAS 12 Snowshoes
These things are great. They are very comfortable and you almost forget they are on. Of course, walking effortlessly across deep powder reminds you that it is possible to track in places you would never get without them. I climbed steep inclines easily.
Atlas 12 Series Snowshoe
Price: $259.95
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MSR Lightning Ascent
November 21, 2007
Product Description
Price: $259.95
Buy Now
The new MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoe features MSR’s Total-Traction frame, which provides excellent 360-degree grip with its aerospace-grade aluminum. These one-of-a-kind snowshoes are the lightest in their class. MSR’s Televator heel lifter minimizes calf fatigue on steep terrain, so you can climb longer and farther. The simple step-on binding fits most boots securely. True-Hinge steel crampons provide stability and keep the heel from drifting, giving you a more natural stride and preserving your energy. MSR used completely waterproof materials so that every feature remains easy to use, even in wet, freezing conditions.
Product Reviews
Excellent Backcountry Snowshoe
Because I use both the MSR LA and new Atlas 12 snowshoes, I thought a review to allow comparison of the two might be useful. Both are backcountry or approach models and not for the casual user. The MSR has a unique feel because of the cookiecutter like action of its vertical rails. It excels on soft to firm snow and is very stable on a soft snow traverse. Overstepping the inside rails can be perilous because the serrated rails do not easily slide off one another. On hard snow to ice, traction falls off somewhat because you cannot kick a firm step as you can with typical underfoot crampons. The MSR has excellent flotation for a 25" shoe, it is light and packs very flat. My only criticism is that the binding is old- school and allows the boot to creep forward over distance, causing the heel to move off center. Otherwise, the MSR is a good backcountry choice.
THE cadilac of snowshoes
I have used MSRs for a long time, and the Lightning Ascents are my favorites now. Very light, super strong and hold in even the iciest of snow conditions. Hardly feel like I have anything on my feet, really easy to put on, and the ascent bar is an amazing help when going up consistently steep terrain.
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
I might be biased ssing as these are the first snowshoes i’ve purchased, but they are freakin’ sweet. excellent traction on ice and packed snow (they shine here) and pretty good on the fluffy stuff too. i’m looking forward to steep hills to give the Televator function a good test. MSR makes grerat gear and these are no exception.
these snowshoes are terrific.
having used Atlas before I was throughly impressed by the much improved traction and performance overall of the LIGHTNING ASCENTS. The TELEVATOR option was sweet going up steep climbs in So. Lake Tahoe area up semi icy slopes (with my ski poles helping out too). Very light and agile and decent float for a 25"…Im only 150 lbs so even with a decent size pack on they still performed well although if I was a big guy you may need more float if you’re in UTAH or really fluffy stuff…in the SIERRA CEMENT of CA these work fantastically. KUDOS MSR.
MSN Lightning Ascent
Just field tested our MSN Lighting Ascent snowshoes in Yosemite over a wide variety of terrain and snow quality. They are what they claim - "ultra light" and easy to maneuver, outstanding crampon grip (ascent and descent), especially over icy terrain, and equipped with the easiest bindings ever! One major trial remains for absolute satisfaction: trekking in snowy and extreme windchill conditions to check whether ice accumulates on the front crampons. All in all, an excellent shoe!
MSR Lightning Ascent
Price: $259.95
Buy Now
Atlas E12 Series Elektra Snowshoe - Women’s
November 20, 2007
Atlas E12 Series Elektra Snowshoe - Women’s
Product Description
Price: $259.95
Buy Now
Atlas made the Women’s E12 Series Elektra Snowshoes with an incredibly lightweight, strong, and responsive frame. Combine that with a women’s-specific tapered shape and crazy traction, and you’re ready for fluffy snow and icy, steep slopes. A heel-lift bar gives your calves a break on the steeps, and the toe crampons, heel cleats, and Traverse Trac Rails all dig in to make sure your climbs and descents are skid-free. The E12 Series’ buckles let you pull these snowshoes on with your gloves still on your hands, and custom right- and left-foot molded bindings keep your feet happy. As you relax and take in a snowy world, Elektra’s Spring-Loaded Suspension system receives and returns your energy with each step, so you can go farther and enjoy more.
Product Reviews
best snowshoes ever
I tried these out and they are on order waiting to come in! They were amazing and lightweight. The way they are cut fits a women’s stride great. The bindings are the best bindings on the snowshoe market, and you will never step into the snow and come out with out your snow shoe again! I do a lot of snowshoeing so how light weight they are is great! Pair these with some light weight Leki poles and you can be gone for hours upon hours exploring. If you don’t go for these, go for one of the other Women s Tubbs…you will love them and never want another snowshoe again!
Atlas E12 Series Elektra Snowshoe - Women’s
Price: $259.95
Buy Now
MSR Lightning Snowshoe
November 20, 2007
Product Description
Price: $229.95
Buy Now
With the lightweight, high-traction MSR Lightning Snowshoes on your feet, steep, snowy terrain feels like a walk in the park. The Lightning snowshoe is made with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that’s powder-coated to keep snow from sticking to it. 360 Full-wrap traction makes steep, icy slopes as solid as a flight of stairs. At only 3lb 2oz (22in), this MSR snowshoe is the lightest in its class. With its excellent traction and lightweight design, the Lightning snowshoe is ideal for both advanced winter travelers and beginners looking to explore the snow-covered trails.
Product Reviews
light and sticky
These snowshoes are super light…you barely feel ‘em on your feet. They also provide excellent traction on both loose snow as well as stiff snow or ice (think crampons). The bindings are easy to take on and off and secure. I wonder a little bit about the durability of the rubber in the bindings as well as the platform, but one thing I do know is that MSR stands behinds their products, so I don’t worry too much about it!
Sweet
After trying out several other snowshoes, I decided on the lightning and I’m glad I did. These are extremely lightweight snowshoes that are a bit skinnier than others, so if you want a more natural stride, this is the way to go. The absence of a spring loaded pivot keeps snow from flinging everywhere and the roughly 45 degree stop point for the pivot makes turning around and stepping over obstacles a breeze. You can probably tell by looking at them, but the traction provided by the vertical blade style frame beats all the others I’ve tried (name any major manufacturer). The bindings are incredibly easy, you can even strap in wearing mittens if need be. Due to the binding style, they also stack neatly on top of one another to take about half the space of a traditional pair. When I got these, MSR did not make a 30" shoe with the televator, which would be a nice addition. Highly recommended nevertheless.
The best snowshoes money can buy - 2007
It’s hard to go past MSR Lightnings. I have owned 5 different snowshoes over the last 20 years of so. The Lightnings are the best I have ever used. I have the 30" model for great flotation in deep soft snow. MSR Denali’s are also very good especially if the snowcover is thin and rocks protrude. MSR Denalis are just about indestructible. However they don’t have the flotation or the side slope stability of the Lightnings. The bindings are simple but effective.
MSR Lightning Snowshoe
Price: $229.95
Buy Now
MSR Lightning Snowshoe - Women’s
November 19, 2007
MSR Lightning Snowshoe - Women’s
Product Description
Price: $229.95
Buy Now
With the lightweight, high-traction MSR Lightning Women’s Snowshoes on your feet, steep, snowy terrain feels like a walk in the park. The Lightning snowshoe is made with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame that’s powder-coated to keep snow from sticking to it. 360 Full-wrap traction makes steep, icy slopes feel like a flight of stairs. An orthopedic gait specialist helped MSR create the shape of the women’s Lightning snowshoes, so they fit a woman’s stride perfectly. At only 3lb (22in), this MSR women’s snowshoe is the lightest in its class. With its excellent traction and lightweight design, the Lightning women’s snowshoe is ideal for both advanced winter travelers and beginners looking to explore the snow-covered trails.
Product Reviews
Feather Weight
These snowshoes are so lightweight that you barely feel like you have anything strapped on to your boots. The bindings are fantastic and didn’t budge on a recent 6 mile trek. They are super compatible with my snowboarding boots. The amount of traction was surprising compared to past snowshoes I’ve used…they have serious crampons. Awkward at first, but after a few miles was much appreciated.
MSR Lightning Snowshoe - Women’s
Price: $229.95
Buy Now
MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe
November 19, 2007
MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe
Product Description
Price: $199.95
Buy Now
The MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe is incredibly efficient for snowshoeing in steep terrain thanks to its Televator heel lifter. When the going gets steep, just pull up this heel lifter, and your foot will remain flat even when you’re walking straight up a steep incline. Keeping your feet flat also reduces the stress on your calves, so you can travel further. Available tail attachments increase flotation in deep snow. The MSR Denali Evo Ascent snowshoe has a powder-coated steel crampon which sheds the stickiest snow and bites into hardpack with ease.
Product Reviews
side hillin
The most noticeable advantage of these shoes is on the side hill. The crampon style limits the heel from slipping out. Which is a big problem with Tubbs and other tube style frames. The heel elevators are a must on steep terrain. It makes a steep slope more like stairs than a ski run, enabling you to hike farther into the backcountry. Had mine two seasons and love them!
it’s all about options & flexibility
this is a great shoe. clean, simple, lightweight design. I’ve shoed on the fluffy stuff, the crunchy stuff, and everything in between. this shoe is easily to position correctly on the foot and has never come close to falling off. the rubber hook & eye straps make mittened hands a non-issue. no more knotty laces! the ascent heel lever is useful on steep inclines, but i haven’t found it necessary on moderate hills. i do, however, like the fact that it is there, just in case. would i recommend this feature absolutely. the added bonus: attachable flotation tails for fresh powder. you just don’t get that option on models by other companies. to me, this shoe is all about options and flexibility. it is completely practical and i’ve yet to be disappointed by it.
Tough Shoes
Recently switched from Altas and I’m extremely happy. With flotation tails you can trek though powder extremely well. these stick to the ground much better, allowing me to ascend and descend much faster and safer. Highly recommended
Ugh, look for the real ones
I tried some of these out and they were a huge disappointment. I’m not saying I expected to feel like I was walking on water, but they really didn’t help with my footing at all. I was on snow a couple feet deep and they would punch through the top crust and then sit in the snow awkwardly. These things just kind of twist around in the snow. My parents’ have a set of Atlas snowshoes with metal frames. They offer better footing than the MSR ones.
MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoe
Price: $199.95
Buy Now
MSR Denali Combo Snowshoe Set
November 19, 2007
Product Description
Price: $199.95
Buy Now
The MSR Denali Combo Snowshoe Set provides you with all the equipment you need to enjoy a snowshoeing trip this winter. Once you hit the trails with the easy-to-use Denali Classic snowshoes, you’ll never want to stop. These MSR snowshoes have powder-coated steel crampons to provide excellent traction, and optional tail attachments increase flotation in deep snow. The collapsible Denali III poles come with a wide powder basket that’s perfect for snowshoeing, and they collapse down small enough to stash in a backpack when they’re not in use.
Product Reviews
excellent
These are very ease to use snowshoes and excellent for all terrains! Highly recommended.
MSR Denali Combo Snowshoe Set
Price: $199.95
Buy Now
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