All posts by Kenneth Shaw

Blogger, photographer and backpacker. If you like my writing or my site don't be afraid to follow me, like or share my posts here on the site. Thanks and enjoy!

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GearGear reviewsminimalismsimplicity

Mission Workshop The Vandal backpack review

on September 14, 2016

Ok, I admit, this review has nothing to do with ultralight backpacking – I won’t even bother weighing the Vandal as I can say it’s heavy.. I’m talking almost Kajka heavy (well not really.. 2 kilos to be exact). My motivation for buying the Mission workshop Vandal backpack? I wanted an everyday backpack to replace my 5 different bags that I already had. I wanted the one backpack to “rule them all” sort of speak. I had a different bag and backpack for different occasions:

  1. for everyday walking around – usually messenger bag that was limited in size, my shoulders would get pretty tired carrying around the weight on one arm
  2. Gym bag – for that off chance that I might someday start going to the gym again. I this was a duffel bag
  3. A job bag – for when I want to bring my work computer home
  4. My travel suitcase – a samsonite carry-on that no matter how long i was gone for this was all I ever had
  5. Several “beach bags” – for those days when I wanted to head out to the beach, or some other spontaneous activity.

Read More

blogGoing LighterminimalismsimplicityUncategorized

My path to Minimalism

on September 13, 2016

Since I already had a blog up and running, and for better or worse ultralight backpacking is about minimalism in it’s essence. Being able to do more with less, not being hindered by all your shit. Instead, packing what you need and being able to go longer, harder and better with less. Knowing what you have and having a use for what you bring. In backpacking, at least ultralight backpacking you bring one backpack, one bed, one spoon, one kitchen set, one t-shirt and so on. And if you choose the stuff you really like than it’s the best feeling on earth knowing you are complete, that you couldn’t possibly need or want anything else. This joy is something I have felt for a long time when I am out on the trail. However, once I get home reality starts to set in.

This is something I have been thinking about for a long time, and with a few odd brush ins here and there with an occasional YouTube video about a guy in japan who owns only 150 things, I have never actually heard about minimalism or the movement that it is. Nor, have I ever thought about the benefits of owning less and so on. I do know that at times in my life when I am most productive is usually when I have a focused working environment, free from distraction. Then, one day a few a few months ago I went for a long walk, stressed and bothered about not having anytime and only have anxiety for the stuff that I owned. Namely a BMW, A motor boat, two Saab 900s, a fairly large house packed from wall to wall with stuff. I am by no means a hoarder, in fact I have always been pretty good at filtering out the stuff I don’t use. But somehow this last couple of years my consumption has really taken over without me noticing.  Read More

Gearhammock camping

The loving embrace of a hammock

on September 5, 2016

I write often about the MLD Duomid tent that I have and use frequently. I can say that for me this is the best tent available (silnylon version) – Size, weight and cost, it’s hard to beat. With that said, there are times when I long for the loving embrace of a hammock again. Back a few years ago when the majority of my hiking was done in woods I had a Hennessy hyperlite asym deluxe. Large and light, easy to setup and extremely comfortable. I slept better in a hammock than I did and do at home. I traded in the Hennessy for the Warbonnet XLC, no real reason here, just read a few reviews that the Warbonnet was better. I can’t really say that I thought it was better to be honest, the overall package of the Hennessy in my mind, was a bit more for me than the Warbonnet in terms of simplicity and comfort. Though, no question the XLC is a great hammock and well built. Read More

blogminimalismsimplicity

Letting go

on August 31, 2016

In my last two post on my minimalist journey – simplify your backpacking and when your things become you I talk about my own journey, and how backpacking is shaping my life in more ways that I thought possible. I am allowing, finally the real me to surface again. I have always been a fairly productive and creative person, I have always been able to focus my mind and energy into certain projects and to more or less keep myself motivated. Hence why I have this blog, published book, another one on the way, produced music, rebuilt cars, different photo projects so on and so forth. My problem has never been inspiration or focus, as my life has shown me that doing leads to inspiration, not the other way around. We create our own inspiration by working hard. This is a subject I have written about many times, with my most recent article called “the art of getting shit done” Read More

bookPhotography

Ebook – Herlong, CA. My hometown

on August 28, 2016

I’ve decided after much contemplation that I need to release my gallerys or photo projects in book form instead. While .pdf might not be the best for presenting my projects it’s still considerably better than web format 🙂 Anyway, I actually wrote this article a few years ago and even put together this book along with it. I have made a few updates to the text, otherwise this is my hometown in pictures: Herlong, California

Herlong photo book in PDF

Herlong photo book in Ibooks

Don’t be afraid to leave me feedback if you like or hate my book 🙂

 

Gear reviewsPhoto reviewsPhotography

Sony RX100 – The ultimate ultralight backpacking camera?

on August 25, 2016

A while ago I was able to purchase a very used original Sony RX100 for about $130 – I really wanted a lightweight, or ultralight backpacking camera that would be “good enough”. While I don’t mind bringing my Fujifilm X-T1 and zoom lens (816 grams with battery), I wanted to try an even lighter camera and I read that the Sony RX 100 series is one of the best weight to quality cameras available. This one is of course the first version in (now version 4 is available) So, this review is rather dated, but what the hell 🙂 I still use an analogue camera, so a 4 year old camera is fairly new by my standards. In anycase, I have learned that the camera rarely makes a good photograph: Subject, framing and lighting are the essentials, it’s just important to have a sensor that can capture those three key ingredients. So with that said, the Sony Rx 100 fits the bill. Read More

blogGoing Lighterminimalismsimplicity

When your things become you

on August 22, 2016

My stuff is me:
On my last post I talked a lot about simplifying your backpack gear, and more broadly, about simplifying your life. That was about a week ago and I’ve had some time to just think about the overall theme of simplifying or minimalism. I realize that a lot of people identify themselves with what they own. For example, for many people, they might identify me as simply being an ultralight backpacker, because that is what the title of this site is, what my book is about and in general what my gear and hiking is like.

The truth is, that my stuff does not make me who I am. These are two completely different concepts altogether in my world. When we start to minimalize our lives, we start to identify ourselves not with what we own, but by our values and goals. When we minimalize the whole point is to disenfranchise ourselves and our identity from the bought and paid for consumer. (or brainwashed consumer who just needs stuff to be whole). For most people we automatically assume that we are our own person, that we have created ourselves from our values and goals. I used to think the same thing about myself. Until of course I started going on long walks with nothing more than my backpack and a few essentials to keep me alive. Read More

Going Lighterminimalismsimplicity

Simplify your backpacking

on August 18, 2016

In my going lighter series I have a constant reference point that I write a lot about: Simplify your backpacking and make your journey an enjoyable process.

I write a lot about this, but I found that I never really clarify it. What do I mean by simplify and simplicity? In life this would be the equivalence to the Minimalism movement, in backpacking I will just call it simplicity.

In essens I will sum it up as follows:

Simplicity in backpacking does not mean selling everything you own and backpack with just a tarp and toothbrush.

Simplicity is about bringing what you need with the comfort you enjoy. Read More

GearGear reviews

Review: Globalstar GSP 1700 satphone

on August 13, 2016

I have now been using the Globalstar GSP 1700 satphone for about 6 months in different regions. (mainly in Sweden and Iceland now). I think this is a solid performer in most conditions. Lightweight and one charge will last plenty long for most trips. What follows is my full review including video

What is it?
The Globalstar GSP 1700 is a satellite telephone that uses the globalstar satellite network (spot connect). This will basically allow you to make very clear calls from around the world. I chose a satphone over a spot or inreach because I wanted the two way communication capabilities. I like to be able to call home. On top of that both the spot and inreach require yearlong subscriptions.. seems pointless in my book. The Satphone allows me to buy just the minutes I need what I need them.  Read More

Gear reviews

Video Review: Haglöfs LIM Essens down jacket

on August 12, 2016

Finally after getting a few hours over and a little bit of motivation, I got around to digging threw my hours and hours of video from Iceland (someday I will even compose a complete video). Here is a simple video review I made while on my fourth day where I stopped in Bazar for the evening.

In the background you can see the glacier and some volcanos.

 

 

What is it:
The Haglöfs LIM Essens down jacket is another excellent edition to the LIM series. In my opinion the LIM series by Haglöfs is some of the best UL gear available right now, and most of it is resonably priced. The Essens down jacket is an Ultralight down jacket with minimal features, it does what it’s suppose to do: keep you warm

Weight:
The xl jacket that I have weighs just 188grams. Because of its lightweight and extreme packability I usually have it with me on all 4 season trips. In spring, summer and fall as my only insulating jacket or sweater, and it the winter I layer it.

Usuability:
The Haglöfs LIM essens down jacket does exactly what it’s supposed to do: Keep you warm. As a bonus it packs down very small and has two pockets. It’s windtight and very warm for the weight. I have had it down to around 0 celcius without too much problem, below that I need to start layering.

Conclusion:
Buy it, like it and use it forever. I trully like this jacket and it’s one of those products that is so well designed for it’s nisch market that I have to wonder if Haglöfs sells any? In any case, if this one falls apart I will buy another.

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