Lighting For The Backcountry
Shedding Light On The Path Ahead
Seeing in the dark is not an ability humans have acquired yet. Until we evolve to gain night vision, tools for keeping the path clear in low to no light are necessary. There are several ways you can achieve this for safety and general utility. Some tools are better than others, but any light source is better than nothing at all. Also the type of trail or environment will influence the type of lighting required. As a general rule having a headlamp, handlight and area light are good for most situations. Today’s market is more diverse than ever before in the type and number of choices available.
Head Lamp
Black Diamond Storm Head Lamp
Traditional directional light requires the user to use a hand to operate. This can be cumbersome as both hands are often needed for cooking, lighting a fire, repairing gear or planning a route. A headlamp is ideal for this. Your hands are free to see what you are doing and the light is always in the direction your head is facing. If you are mountain biking during dark hours, you will need a headlamp that is powerful enough to see ~50′ in front of you. Used in combination with other lights, a headlamp can be very useful. Modern head lamps are typically able to be adjusted for close, mid and long range use. Their construction can also be quite robust, lending themselves to be highly durable.
Hand Lamp
Coast HX5 Hand Lamp
For when you want to direct a beam specifically at something or in a certain direction not in the direct field of view, a hand lamp is your friend. Hand lamps are best used when you are looking for something that isn’t right in front of you or exactly where you are looking. When traveling on foot, a hand lamp can be used in conjunction with a headlamp. This combination lets you see what is coming up where you are looking and what is in the path ahead. It is always good to have more than one light source while moving and navigating in the dark. The modern hand lamp can be usually adjusted to distribute low & short beams, mid and even long beams for different uses.
Area Lamp
Lighting for a general space you don’t need to be holding to use, for camp, a tent or inside a vehicle used as shelter. Area lights have developed far from their humble beginnings as flame torches then oil lamps and candles. Today these types of lamps are as compact as ever. Some are solar powered while others use batteries or cranks. Their main purpose is to illuminate a broad area. Some are expandable, fixed to the roofs of tents or held by hand. This light offers a wide distribution of usually a lower power. Using a light like an area lamp will keep the hands free. The limitation of these lamps lies with their fixed position. You may be able to improvise with a head lamp and clear water bottle and make an area lamp.
Modern Forms Of Lighting
Using a modern lamp for lighting has never been better than they are currently. Today’s hand lamps are often LED bulbs which offer great longevity, reliability and improved efficiency. Manufacturers are beginning to produce models that are water, shock and dust proof. Almost across the board, what is out now will last through many, many trips and treks. At the very least, these items are useful, at the very most during emergency situations, they will be invaluable.
Remember to keep your batteries fresh or charged before leaving home. Having a spare set of batteries in the car or in your pack is a good idea. Doing regular checks of your great to make sure they are operational before heading out is important. You do not want to find yourself in the dark without any form to light the way.
