At last, time for Smarter Backpacking

As many readers already know, I have been quite busy this fall with my first book in English. I am happy to say that it is now available at Amazon. But books are a plenty, so what's with this one?

By Jörgen Johansson

The book is called Smarter Backpacking or How every backpacker can apply lightweight trekking and ultralight hiking techniques.

To me lightweight backpacking is not about the hiker who can survive rolled up in the tiniest piece of GladPack. Lightweight backpacking is something that everybody than nibble a bit  from, or swallow great chunks of. No matter what you do, it will make your life and your hike lighter.

It is up to every individual what corners to cut and which ones to give a wide berth. I just want to make as many backpackers as possible that there are more possibilities to lighten the load than many are aware of. I am happy to say that from some of the endorsements I have had for the book, this message seems to go through:

Jorgen Johansson has a no-nonsense, non-preachy approach, based on his 40 years of wilderness ramblings, designed to help average backpackers shave weight, not comfort or safety, from their loads.

--Kristin Hostetter, gear editor Backpacker Magazine

Smarter Backpacking aims to make better hikers through use of ultralight hiking techniques, rather than create more ultralight hikers. The spot-on advice is presented in an easy-reading conversational style, rather than a lecture, like you were sitting around a campfire with Jorgen Johansson.

--Glen Van Peski, Founder and Chairman, Gossamer Gear

The book is divided into chapters taken from my gearlist and alphabetically ordered. Meaning that everything concerning the backpack is found under the chapter heading Backpack. I'm sure you can guess the rest.

For a more full blown presentation I recommend the website http://www.smarterbackpacking.com/. There you can also read what people other people in the hiking community have has been kind enough to say about the book.

However, the main thing about the website Smarter Backpacking is that it is a large part of the book. The book itselve contain no photos in order to keep size, prize and of course weight(!) down :-)
You will find lots of material under each chapter heading at the website. For the full content of photos and extra material on every chapter you will however need the book to access the password protected parts of the website.

I also couldn't help myself, while hiking this fall, but filmed some scenes for a 'commercial'. Since I made it in my basement I boldly present it as an underground commercial, which will no doubt enhance the artistic value. Anyone with 36 seconds to spare should take a look at this:



If you like the film, send the link to someone you like.
If you do not like it, send the link to someone you do not...no, sorry it's almost Christmas :-)

The first copy of the book was delivered to me on December 14 from Amazon.co.uk. They deliver within 7-10 days. As from December 16 the book is 'in stock' at Amazon.com, which means you'll have it in 1-2 days. So the chances that you receive it before Christmas if you order now are good, I am told. And if not, we all need some après-Christmas indulgence as well, I guess.

Click here for the living part of the book on the net, the website Smarter Backpacking

PS. For Swedish readers; this is a revised version of my book Lättare packning från A till Ö that has been expanded with lots of photos on the website.