There was a time when venturing into the outdoors meant toting along hundreds of pounds of gear.
In the old days, adventurers wore wool coats and hobnail boots. Their canvas tents and cast-iron pots weighed a ton.
As a result, pack mules were popular, but high maintenance.
Today's outdoors enthusiasts, however, have technology on their side.
There is no need to carry a stack of topographical maps when one Global Positioning System (GPS) the size of a cell phone can get you from Key West to Pensacola and back via land or water.
Weather, be it a winter cold front or a summer tropical storm, has stopped many great adventurers in their tracks. But new waterproof, yet breathable, fabrics make it possible to keep going regardless of conditions.
Heavy, kerosene-fueled lanterns might have served a purpose in coal mines, but they are of little use out on the open water or deep in the bowels of a swamp. No need to worry; lightweight, battery-powered headlamps provide both a spotlight for cooking over a camp stove or a flood light for night hikes.
Paper-thin titanium utensils and bowls weigh less than a conventional coffee cup. Small, propane- or gas-powered stoves fold up to next to nothing and fit inside most lightweight cooking sets.
Freeze-dried foods (all you do is add hot water to a foil-lined bag) mean re-supply on the trail is no longer a problem. Now, if they could just come up with a formula for dehydrated water, you could stay in the woods forever.
Yes, thanks to space-age technology, today's outdoors enthusiast has a distinct advantage. The only thing limiting the size and scope of your adventure is imagination. Let the gear do the rest.
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A Saturday morning trip to Bill Jackson's Shop for Adventure on U.S. 19 N in Pinellas Park gave Outdoors Editor Terry Tomalin plenty of ideas for Santa:
1) Performance fleece: Lighter and less cumbersome than traditional fleece. Mountain Hardware's Sno Zone jacket repels wind but is still breathable. Cost: $135.
2) Wind/rain protection: You can't get any smaller or lighter than Marmot's Precip line. All are waterproof and breathable. Cost: $99 for the jacket; $89 for full zip pants; $69 for half-zip pants.
3) Hiking/walking shoes: Montrail Vitesse shoes were designed for adventure racing but make great day hikers as well. Cost: $80.
4) Socks: Smart Wool's Trail Runner II, a mini-crew with medium-density padding, work well in cold or warm weather. Cost: $12.95.
5) Camp Shoes: At the end of a day on the trail, put on a pair Pac Mocs by Tecnica. You will be glad you did. Cost: $50.
6) Quench your thirst: Leave the aluminum canteen at home and buy a hydration system. The Camelbak Hawg holds three liters of water and has 1200 cubic inches of storage space. Cost: $100.
7) Cover your back: Ex Officio's Airstrip Shirt, with Drylite Fabric and SPF of 30-plus, looks good on the water or at the yacht club. Cost: $79. Will look good with quick-drying Explorer Convertible Pants:. Cost: $69.
8) For the paddler: Pricey, but a pleasure to paddle, the Millennium Kajak Sport, made in Finland, is 18 feet, 4 inches long yet weighs just 53 pounds. Cost: $2,845.
9) Don't forget: A fiberglass Werner Camano Paddle. Cost: $240.
10) A good dry bag: Store your wallet in the Sea Line Seal Pak. Fits around the waist when you are out of the boat. Cost: $24.
11) A good dry box: The Pelican 1030 Micro Case fits a digital camera. Cost: $15.95.
12) Phone home: The Voyageur Cell Phone Bag. Cost: $22.
13) A good hat: The Bison Outback hat looks cool and will keep the sun off. Cost: $35.95.
14) Take a hike: The Leki Titanium Walking Stick, complete with anti-shock springs and carbide tips, will keep your balance. Cost: $139.
15) You can't have too many pocket knives . . . : The Buck Revolutions opens with one hand. Cost: $79.
16) . . . Or flashlights: The Photo Micro-Light II's LED (Light Emitting Diode) is visible for one mile. Cost: $17.95.
17) Have a look: Everybody from birders to boaters will appreciate a good pair of binoculars. Try Nikon's Action, 7 x 35. Cost: $99.
18) Kick back: Crazy Creek's Folding Chair fits in any hatch. Cost: $29.95.
19) Sip a cold one: The 48-can, Zero Degrees Soft Ice Chest folds up and stores under a seat. Cost: $18.95.
20) For the angler: William Joseph's over-the-shoulder creel will carry everything from hooks to a ham sandwich. Cost: $89.
