Trail Tested: A Thru-Hiker's Guide to Ultralight Hiking and Backpacking

by Justin Lichter

Justin Lichter, a.k.a. Trauma, divulges hundreds of valuable tips and advice based on his more than 35,000 miles of hiking across the country and beyond. Trail Tested is a comprehensive guide to hiking and backpacking. Whether you're a new hiker looking for expert advice, an experienced hiker looking to hone your skills, or a thru-hiker gearing up for a 6-month trip, this book is packed with priceless information to make your trip a successful and comfortable one. Vibrant images from Trauma's treks will entice all readers of all skill levels to get out and enjoy the backcountry. You'll learn why getting the right gear and learning outdoor skills are integral to making the most out of your next backpacking trip. Some topics included in this guide are: * Gear advice, including backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, ultralight shetlers, and clothing * Gear maintenance and repair * Ultralight tips for novices to gram-counters * Low-impact camping and hiking * Campsite selection * Hiking with dogs * Navigating the backcountry * Winter camping * First aid * Weather forecasting * Advanced techniques for creating routes, cross-country hiking, fording rivers, multi-sport adventures, and animal encounters

Genres: Outdoors, Nonfiction, Adventure, Reference, How To, Travel

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

Justin Lichter grew up about an hour north of New York City and has lived in Santa Barbara, CA, southern VT, Dillon, CO, and is currently living in Truckee, CA. When not hiking, he is a ski patroller and enjoys backcountry skiing, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, surfing and anything else active. Since 2002, he has hiked over 40,000 miles. In 2002 doing a cross-country map and compass trip through the canyon country of southern Utah, in 2003 hiking from Georgia to Cap Gaspe, Quebec following the Appalachian Trail and International AT, 2004 hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada and then the Pacific Northwest Trail to the Washington coast, 2005 the Continental Divide Trail from Mexico to Canada then continuing on the Great Divide Trail from the Canadian border up into northern Alberta, 11/1/05 to 10/23/06 completing the Eastern Continental Trail (Cap Gaspe, QC to Key West, Florida, incorporating the AT), Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail in under a year, a total of over 10,500 miles, and in 2007 a traverse of the Southern Alps and the South Island of New Zealand. There are many more hikes including in 2009 hiking 1800 miles unsupported through Africa, in 2011 hiking about 2,000 miles across the Himalaya Range, and in 2013 skiing 450 miles through the High Sierras and traversing the Copper Canyon in Mexico. In the winter of 2014/2015 Justin and Shawn completed the first winter traverse of the Pacific Crest Trail.

He is the author of Trail Tested, Ultralight Survival Kit, and Short Stories From Long Trails.

Reviews

[Benji · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a fully converted ultralight gram weenie but this was definitely a helpful book to get me thinking critically about my gear. This book gave me some good ideas on how to take a more minimalist approach for my upcoming thru hike of the John Muir Trail. A new edition is in order, this is now 11 years old and some of the quoted weights for things like tents and sleeping bags are heavier than what is currently available

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin Lichter is a hiking machine, once hiking 10,000 miles in one year, a distance of over 26 miles every single day of the year. Another time he decided to swim around Lake Tahoe unsupported without a wetsuit, in 45 to 65 degree water. This is a 72 mile swim. He and a buddy of his were the first (and only so far as I know) people to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in winter, and he has also hiked the Appalachian Trail in winter. He knows hiking.

This book is just a book on hiking, what he himself uses when he hikes and a bunch of advice on planning and executing a long hike. He has a lot of gear recommendations (some of them companies that he has a financial relationship with), but seems pretty balanced overall, straightforward and blunt: this works, this does not. Doing this is smart, doing this is stupid. Stuff like that. It turns out to be a quick read and definitely worthwhile if you're going to do any backpacking over mid to long distances.

I enjoyed reading it very much.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about ultralight hiking. I hike and backpack, but I haven't gotten to the ultralight stage yet. This is a good resource with a lot of pictures and many tips. I like the fact that he also talked about things that didn't work so well. Often people have this rosy idea that they can just go out without any planning and hike the AT or the PCT. This shouldn't scare you from doing those, but it will give you a bunch of advice and resources to make your trip safer and more enjoyable.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyability: 3/5 | Utility: 3/5

For those experienced in the realm outdoor recreation and/or backpacking, this is a worthwhile read. Justin is one of the most decorated thru-hikers in the game and I found it very interesting to see how he approaches the game and what tools, tips, and tricks he brings to the table.

I think for anyone looking to improve their backpacking skills or especially section or thru-hiking goals, this is a worthwhile read.

[Christian Hamaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I’d read this book before my recent 115-mile hike, but I’m grateful I discovered the book before my next long backpacking adventure. The advice here is invaluable.

["Cyril' (David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough, great explanations.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written over 10 years ago. Be aware that some advice (and probably most gear recommendations) is very out-of-date.

[Shari Pinkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great hiking tips, info on gear, info about popular trails, and amazing photos!

[Rachel Blom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin Lichter (aptly named by the way, his name means 'lighter' in Dutch) knows what he's talking about when it comes to backpacking in general and traveling light specifically. He certainly speaks from experience in this book when he shares advice and recommend certain brands. The first was more valuable than the second, since gear will always be very personal and has to fit your style and needs. But his general advice is worth gold, even when ultralight isn't your main prio and you're more interested in general backpacking wisdom. I loved the layout of the book and the many personal photo's, would have loved to read even more personal experiences.

[Richard Goth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, concise gear guide reflecting a wealth of practical experience. I did not agree with everything but it was thought provoking and comprehensive guide.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Susan for this recommendation! Great suggestions in here and good stories about why it's important to not back too much or too little. The tuna can personal stove idea was genus, and I like the tips for fording a river in the back of the book. I would never hike as long as this guy does, but these tips can help me stay light and prepared when I do go out. Loved the pictures of Yoni the dog!

[Inga Aksamit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started following Justin (trail name: Trauma) when he and Pepper were doing their historic first winter trek on the PCT last season. This guy has hiked many thousands of miles and know his stuff. Whether you want to go completely ultralight or just light this book is a valuable source of information. I use it when I teach backpacking to show people how to lighten their load.

[Michel B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was exploring the idea of doing long distance hiking. Liked this book because the author does not hesitate to promote the products he likes all the while talking about the pros and cons of others. He's clear about what he likes and why and also makes it clear that it is individual to him. The idea being that some of what works for him, for his reasons, might be of benefit to others.

[Aja Marsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

a slightly different look at UL backpacking equipment with lots of great photos and a few choice anecdotes. i like that he had very specific opinions versus being very general (though there was a good dose of general in there). helpful and easy to read.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is an inch deep and a mile wide. I am ready to read another book by the same guy that is really a "trail tested guide". Only about 10% read that way. The rest was like an REI gear guide.

[Myka Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any new backpacker! And maybe even for some who simply want to refresh their skills.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Informative. Read it and apply it to how you hike

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half is half stuff you already know if you've spent any time hiking or reading the signs when you go to national parks, and half: "ah ha! That makes so much sense why did I never think of it before?"

The second half is all the rest of the random stuff - snow, abroad, cameras, pack lists, etc. It was worth spending some time with, but I'd recommend getting it from the library & taking some notes in lieu of buying, as it doesn't feel like the sort of reference you'll come back to over time.