THIS IS NOT ANOTHER BACKPACKING GEAR BOOK.Backpacking the Light Way has one goal: to help backpackers lighten their loads. You need not sacrifice comfort to enter the world of ultralight backpacking, but you do need to change the way you think about gear, pack loads, and planning. Preservation of comfort is the guiding principle of this book. It allows you to learn ultralight techniques and tricks withoutsacrificing what's important.Longtime professional outdoor-skills instructor Richard Light teaches field-tested, proven strategies for:Planning a modular packing systemCreating gear lists that workNavigating the steps required to seriously lighten upUnderstanding the di erences in conventional and ultralight thinkingDealing with winter conditionsPacking to minimize frustrationAssessing risk in the backcountryEffective trip planningBackpacking the Light Way helps beginners as well as advanced backpackers pack efficiently, carry less weight while still being fully prepared, and have fun in the backcountry.