My Journey To Freedom and Ultralight Backpacking

by Carol Wellman, David Mauldin (Editor)

Third Edition This is the inspiring account of Carol Wellman's journey to personal freedom through long distance hiking. Her adventures- hiking thousands of miles (mostly alone) from Mexico to Canada, through the Mojave Desert and the High Sierra, and then in the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine-are the catalyst for overcoming her past. When she wasn't hiking, she designed ultralight backpacking gear; award winning gear that has been acclaimed not only nationally but internationally as well. She shares her ultralight hiking expertise here, as well as some of her designs and sewing techniques. There are detailed instructions for making 12 important gear items, including her 9 ounce silnylon backpack. She also includes her latest gear list (with weights) and information on resupply and ultralight hiking in winter. Written in 2003, this book serves as a benchmark for serious, present day ultralighters. Wellman truely has been a pioneer in her field. I picked up Brawny's book with some mixed feelings. But you know, now I can't put it down! I'm SO impressed by her. She did her hikes on a shoestring budget by making/modifying most of her gear. She took responsibility for her own happiness, and she rebuilt a life as full and rich as I could ever hope to have! --J.W. My copies of Brawny's book arrived Thursday. Most excellent. I have not finished reading yet, but very much like the style in which it is written. Some books have a feeling that the author is trying to make you like what they are writing so what is presented is subject to skepticism, but all I feel from Brawny's book is genuine. I enjoyed some of the insights which were either not noted in her journals, or reflected on again from a slightly different perspective (maybe with hot coffee in a real mug, with real food simmering on a stove, and possibly rain OUTSIDE, lol). Even though I have read Brawny's journals and knew some of the information, I still enjoyed reading it again. I am only sad that when I finish the book,I will have finished it!!! Sort of like running out of trail on a long hike,I would think. Anyway, thank you for putting your experiences into a good read. -- Joanne Feige I have just finished reading, and very thoroughly enjoying, Brawny Wellman's great new book, "My Journey to Freedom & Ultralight Backpacking". I very highly recommend it to all. Read about it It's a great read, for many reasons. Mainly, she's a power-hiker who has logged 5000 miles in the last 3 years, carrying mostly homemade gear, and thru tremendous attention to detail, has truly refined her gear & methods of ultralighting. Brawny's sentiments on the "why's" of long-distance hiking, her treatment of, and definitions of the "journey", are themselves worth the price of admission. Get a copy today, before it makes Oprah's list and gets discovered. -- Brian in Oregon I got the book on friday, and read almost all of it over the weekend. Really interesting to read. Brawny she has put together a very interesting, helpful book; and good to read trailstories, nice nature descriptions, and all the tips. A superb combination. A book, one has to read, if he/she is interested in (ultra)lightweight-hiking. And congratulations to Brawny, that she can enjoy her life now. My mother took almost 20 years after her divorce to free herself mentally from her unhappy marriage. --Harald Loeffel, Austria

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Chantelle Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable and informative read

I really enjoy her writing style and attention to detail really paints a clear picture of trail experience. She took much time and care to write out detailed instructions to sew your own ultralight gear too. I really appreciated that. She could charge a lot more for this info and graciously offers it here affordable to us. I feel beginner and advanced hikers can both benefit from the innovative ideas here and possibly save a lot of time and weight through reading and implementing proven strategies that are more than just ideas. What worked and didn't work for her, but that each person should explore what works for us as individuals as we are all different and there is no one right way. She also includes stops along the Appalachian Trail that may not be known about unless experienced first hand, like places thru-hikers can camp free she discovered hiking. A lot of valuable info all in one place. I'm looking forward to reading her other books with more tried and true patterns recipes and ideas she's perfected in thousands of miles and years of backpacking. Thanks for taking the time to write this. :)

[earl feathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome !!! A true Must read for hikers. If you don't learn something from this book don't go outside. Lol

Excellent advice and ideas. This really gets into ultralight and how even a non ultralighter can use this valuable information..