Lighting

On trips during which I am not planning to hike much at night, like during the long summer days or during casual trips, my lighting needs are fulfilled by a single Photon Freedom Micro light. The output of these lights, which weigh .4 oz each, is adequate for me to hike at night on decently maintained trails if need be; at lower output settings, I can set up camp, write in my journal, cook dinner, and play cards with a friend.

On trips during which I expect to do extensive night hiking, I bring the Photon Freedom plus the Tikka XP, which I have retrofitted with a waist belt for improved depth perception. Between the two lights, I have ample wattage to easily see the trail (using the Tikka) as well as to read my maps (using the Photon).

I take the Freedom Micro both when I'm backpacking and when I'm going on a long day-hike, just in case I don't make it back to my car before dark. Conveniently, the Freedom Micro comes with an attachment that allows me to clip the light onto the brim of my Headsweats visor. Read an excellent review on the Photon Freedom Micro at BackpackingLight.com.