Ultralight Bigotry

**TrailSlug** · 09-15-2016, 21:16

This is what I think about all of this

**Hobopelican** · 09-15-2016, 21:45

Originally Posted by Phantom Grappler

This old keyboard cowboy needs to relax in hammock among friends even if they aren't just like me--it's more fun that way.

This. Let's go hang. HYOH, all.

**Sailor** · 09-16-2016, 02:51

TR- I'm an old guy who's lightweight, but still carries a pocket book for reading. Not so lightweight. And I know a guy who is so super ultra lightweight he only eats cold food, top quilt but no pad and lays on the ground, and sometimes, no shoes. The guy's serious lightweight. He's different than me, and he's a nice guy. When you're talking hammocks, you're dealing with people who like laying back and taking naps. A pleasant bunch of non-fighters. I'm sure no one means to be mean. We're all gram weenies, since we all use nylon and down and aluminum/TI. Keep smiling, and keep camping and hiking, and know that all of us who's pack weighs are greater than yours, kind of envy you when we're headed up hill...

**johnspenn** · 09-16-2016, 04:24

This will be my last post on this subject.

It's interesting to me that the OP said he read the first 30 posts... THIRTY posts in response to his complaint.

Not one of the first 30 posts... NOT ONE... agreed with his assessment that there is some kind of BIGOTRY (see Silvr Surfr's excellent response to that charge) being displayed by O&B or other forum members.

When and if he comes back he will find more of the same with some off-topic rambling as is inevitable.

Instead of re-assessing his original thoughts and the nature of his "hurt feelings" he doubled down and repeated his threat to leave.

Draw your own conclusions.

EDIT: I blame this whole fiasco on Pennsy Camp and Canoe for going Gram Weenie on us!
(PC&C you know I'm kidding Brother!)

**cspan37421** · 09-16-2016, 05:39

Originally Posted by Shug

I have backpacked with ultralight backpackers and been an ultra light backpacker. Wiped with two squares of TP. Ick.
...
The Weight Walkers can trudge on and enjoy their luxuries at days end. Using a half roll of TP with their morning constitutional.

...
I'll accept it with pride and a sly smile and chuckle. I love my stool.

Shug

Well, Shug, then you'd love Blaine, Missouri - stool capital of the United States! [1]

ferret and gbdave beat me to it, but yeah, talk about how context informs the intended meaning of words and terms!

[1] pseudo-source: Waiting For Guffman

**Pennsy Camp and Canoe** · 09-16-2016, 06:34

Originally Posted by johnspenn

This will be my last post on this subject.

It's interesting to me that the OP said he read the first 30 posts... THIRTY posts in response to his complaint.

Not one of the first 30 posts... NOT ONE... agreed with his assessment that there is some kind of BIGOTRY (see Silvr Surfr's excellent response to that charge) being displayed by O&B or other forum members.

When and if he comes back he will find more of the same with some off-topic rambling as is inevitable.

Instead of re-assessing his original thoughts and the nature of his "hurt feelings" he doubled down and repeated his threat to leave.

Draw your own conclusions.

EDIT: I blame this whole fiasco on Pennsy Camp and Canoe for going Gram Weenie on us!
(PC&C you know I'm kidding Brother!)

i know. when i went back and found that this all started in a thread I posted I felt a little bad

**michigandave** · 09-16-2016, 07:11

After reading through all 86 posts on this thread, the one thing I noticed is that there was never a reference to where the OP's original quote from O&B came from. So, I did some digging and found it here: https://hammockforums.net/forum/show...bought-a-scale (post 29). In reading that entire thread, it felt like it was no different than any other HF thread where people debate the pros and cons, plus the typical back and forth interaction that we're used to seeing and certainly, nothing that I would call mean spirited or bigoted...

Until I got to this post from the OP of this thread replying to O&B: "I see you like to paint with a wide brush. And you're a moderator here?" (post #32). Meanwhile, the thread continues again with more interaction between HF members and everyone sounds happy. To me, that's the only post in the thread that's questionable.

Post #47 has a reply from O&B explaining his position and context of his experience: "Well first let me apologize to you Trail Runner and the group for my poor choice of words or maybe it was my sentence structure or lack of the ability to tell a story. I'm a retired engineer and english/grammer was not my minor in college. Since this thread was about using a scale on your gear. Something I do religiously. I wanted to present an extreme situation that some folks can get themselves into if they take the weigh reduction, dare I say obsession, issue too far."

IMO, no harm, no foul and I fully understand the context and meaning of how O&B got his point across in the original thread that started this whole thing.

To lighten things up: My weenie may be 15, 20, or 25......pounds that is......of weight in my backpack......That's my threshold, but everyone's is unique and there is no right or wrong....Do your own thing.....pack what you want....safety first....be happy...makes sense?

ps: I'm buying a scale this afternoon

**bowl-maker** · 09-16-2016, 07:18

We're looking for names for the heavy lifters in the group: Pound Puppy?

I'd love to be UL, but I haven't made it there yet. My last overnighter had me packing in a total of about 25 pounds, including water, food, and backpack. Sigh.....

**PharmGeek** · 09-16-2016, 08:48

"Gram Weenie" is pretty good...because it makes reference to the act of counting the weight carefully, and assigns the term "weenie" which is a pretty clever/funny term.

There will simply never be something as funny for the folks packing more weight...even with a better name...but we can try?

I believe if we hope to make a derogatory name for folks that carry "more weight", it must make fun of some aspect or reason why they carry the relatively higher weight.

"Weenies" do it (in this stereotype) because they have no social skills, are in "Mensa", they have incredible attention to detail, and as alluded to in this thread, they will do all of this and mooch of others as they go along in order to maintain their high gram weenie status. This creates a pretty funny stereotype to poke fun at.

But what is the funny converse stereotype for people that pack "heavy"?

Most seem to simply either "like their comforts on the trail" or "do not give it much thought". Maybe some cannot afford to lighten the load? There is possibility there...maybe IF folks with heavy loads cannot afford to lighten up their weights, we could make fun of that? There is real potential there, but that really does not work, as most folks choose to pack heavier quite purposefully for "comforts" - which makes for a poor joke.

You could try and work in something converse to weenie...like "thoughtlessness". So people that just throw crap into a huge bag, then think they are uber manly or are merely thoughtless, and tire after a mile (never met such a person, but who needs accuracy here)...

Nothing really sticks in my mind....but here are some feeble attempts:

"penniless pound packer"?
"Pound packing pauper"?
"Meager Man of Mass"?
"Thoughtless Tote Device"?
"Oblivious Outfitter"?

It just feels like futility...the "gram weenie" has no equal on the other end of the spectrum.

**Tacblades** · 09-16-2016, 08:56

Hefty hiker
Weighty walker
Pound puller
Load lifter
Seam stretcher
Have load will travel
Top heavy traveller

Why am i carrying 40lb load because i couldnt fit 50lb in the pack.
I used to be heavy and proud