so light it ’ s like I ’ m not even holding on anymore ...
Best Technical Feature Kasssondra Cloos
My Ex-boyfriend ’ s Titanium Pot
so light it ’ s like I ’ m not even holding on anymore ...
My ex-boyfriend ’ s titanium pot — an Evernew Titanium Lightweight Camping Pot w / Folding Handle , 900ml — functions exactly as advertised . It ’ s a titanium pot with rubber-coated handles that collapse to wrap around the pot like an embrace . It is uncomplicated : On a cold night of camping , the pot is just there for you , ready whenever you need it to boil a hot water bottle to tuck into your sleeping bag .
While the pot belonged to my ex-boyfriend , there was never a time it was referred to as “ my boyfriend ’ s titanium pot .” The relationship was serious enough to constitute referring to each other as exes , but not serious enough to warrant a discussion about titles before it ended . The last hike we did together , he led me up a Welsh mountain in a blizzard . The situation would have been improved by the presence of the pot , which holds enough water to make two large cups of tea .
In spite of gale force winds and a strong preference for sunshine over sleet , I remained charming that day . But when we got home , he broke up with me . By text .
Anyway , the pot weighs 4 oz . and does not weigh me down .
When I picked up said pot , it was so light ( 45 % lighter than steel ) I had to check to make sure he had let it go , that I was , in fact , actually holding it , that there were no invisible strings attached . During that rendezvous , he made me aware of something he actually hadn ’ t let go : his other ex-girlfriend . Indeed , the love story was short , the romantic flame sustained barely long enough to boil ramen noodles . Eventually , I forgot that he existed .
But titanium ? Titanium is forever .
photo The author , backpacking in Germany with her new titanium pot . [ Matthias Fend / Fjällräven ]
The short piece ( 750 words ) was published in Trails , a USbased “ independent , quarterly , print-only , high-quality coffee table magazine for the backpacking and trail community .” To preserve the magazine ’ s ‘ print only and then it ’ s gone ’ ethos , we reproduce a much shortened version of the article .
The judges said : A great concept , brilliantly told . A deceptively simple structure with a wonderful irreverent style .
20 OUTDOOR FOCUS Winter 2024 – 25