If you can't find it on Google, it doesn't exist....so take a hike, boy!

Google search is emerging as the modern day equivalent of trees falling with no-one to hear.

I was struck by this today when on good old BBC Radio 4 a chap was talking about "discovering" a thing called ultralight hiking via Google, according to him its a thing that started in the US, and as with so many things American, it also comes pre-packaged and complete with its own Guru

Hold on, sez I - I recall in my tender youth that "lightweight hiking" was a pretty common thing, in fact I recall carrying my pack and bivvy (South African term for what is now the "tarp") - in fact there was a range of (lightweight) booklets brought out that talked of Lightweight Camping and Lightweight Hiking, and they were British to boot. I rummaged around in my bookshelves and found the Spur Book of Lightweight Camping, published in 1978. I know I had the backpacking one, but it was sadly lost in the midst of time.

So, ironically, here was our BBC correspondent re-discovering in the US, via Google, something that was being done 30 years ago in his own British backyard (and all around the world, by the way - my Spur Book was purchased in ME Stores, Johannesburg for a princely R5.00).

So there you have it - the world Pre-Google does not, to all intents and purposes, exist. Even if its on your doorstep.

By the wayside, re Lightweight Hiking - in my day (Old Fart Time alert) Lightweight hiking meant carrying as little as you could, whereas the cynic in me looking at today's movement thinks its more about getting punters to spend as much as they can on expensive lightweight gear. In fact, if you've ever hiked the Lake District you will note that the equipment gets older and there is less gear on each person the higher up in the hills you go - the hardiest wear is clearly required for crossing the street to the next tea-room .

Oh, and for the record - ultralight hiking and the British weather - aka a Wet Weekend in Wales - do not go easily together (and that's with the Gore-tex) , unless you carry those most marvellous of modern ultra-lightweight hiking pieces of equipment, a credit card and a mobile to call the nearest B&B, and that old staple - the sympathetic farmer's wife with towels and cups of hot tea!