When I hit the trails, I set out to explore uncharted
territory. Traipsing through wooded areas thrills me as much as scouring a new city in a far flung
country on foot. I never know what awaits me around each corner or tree stump,
and it's just the fuel I need to keep me exploring.
Though I may tear into things blindly, one thing I don't
particularly enjoy is the dark. Sure I've been in situations where I've been
forced to make camp in the African jungle late at night surrounded by the eerie
cries of baboons swinging from the trees above my head, but as a general rule I
like to see where I'm going.
The Mountaineers chose illumination as one of the top ten
must-haves and I couldn't agree with them more. Let me shed some light on my
top picks for flashlights.
- Pak-Lite Flashlights - According
to the story, a 15 year old invented this mini marvel for his older
brother before he set out to trek 2600 miles (4184 km) from Mexico to Canada. The only instruction:
make it as small as possible. The result, a 1.5 oz (42 g) LED flashlight
that snaps on top of a 9volt battery. Small enough to fit anywhere and
bright enough to be seen a mile up the road, this flashlight travels better
that any I've ever had before. It's waterproof and there's no need to pack
extra batteries because one regular alkaline battery lasts 5 years. For more information visit Pak-Lite.
- Toollogic SL1 Mini - I love my
multitools and I love this one even more because it's small, cuts like a
razor and doubles as a flashlight. Weighing in at only 2 oz (56g), the
Mini also contains an emergency whistle. It's perfect for signaling
distress in the woods and easily slips in my shirt pocket or hangs neatly
from a carabineer hooked on my pack.
For more information visit Toollogic.
- Energizer Trailfinder Krypton Light
- There's no better way to kill a flashlight than drop it in a river.
Luckily this powerful yet affordable camp light floats. The waterproof
body means the bright beam won't stop shining even if it's floating
downstream. I love the anti-roll design of its oversized head the most. Visit Energizer for more information.
What's in your pack?
Feel free to add to this list. Whether
you're a dedicated boulderer, a crazed canoe-camper or an intrepid weekend
warrior, the items in these basic categories will get you through the trail.
James W. Coates,
National Park Expert