[pct-l] Headlamp

[Bob Bankhead]

The lower the better to add relief to roots, snakes, rocks, etc.
Try clipping the lamp to your hip belt; the light will move side to side a
bit as you walk but not so much up and down.
Better yet, hold the light in one hand, trekking pole in the other (to
"test" and/or flick objects aside)
Best angle would be with 2 lights attached to your ankles or the lower end
of your trekking poles, but vertigo could be a problem with the light beams
bouncing with each step.

Decide BEFORE you go whether you want a flood lamp or a compact beam and buy
accordingly. Finding a weak trail in a meadow with a flood lamp is difficult
to impossible; you need a beam that will reach out quite a ways.
Alternatively, that longer-range fixed beam only shows a tiny area of the
trail in front of your next step and does it with great intensity, which
greatly degrades or destroys your night vision. (Life is so unfair!)

And while it was mentioned before, it's worth repeating - CARRY SPARE
BATTERIES and know how to exchange them in the dark (YES, that means
practice at home until you know you can do it reliably). Murphy's Laws state
that your headlamp is most likely to die when you are at the absolutely most
challenging/dangerous/questionable point on the trail on a dark, moonless
night with no possible campsite close by, and  while simultaneously being
surrounded by hungry bears and poisonous snakes.  Personally, I also carry a
small Photon button-style light with a red  bulb in addition to my headlamp.


Never trust your life to something that runs on batteries.

Wandering Bob



-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Herb Stroh
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2016 12:21 PM
To: 'pct-l at backcountry.net'
Subject: [pct-l] Headlamp

One think to keep in mind when hiking with a headlamp as your only light
source is that there is no relief (i.e. no shadow) because your eyes and the
light are at the same angle. Without shadow everything looks flat, and
distinguishing objects becomes more difficult. If I plan to night hike any
distance I attach the headlamp to my pack strap at chest height. This allows
me to retain the hands-free benefit of a headlamp and see obstacles on the
trail better.

Herb