Who is QiWiz? Inquiring minds want to know, apparently . . .
I get asked this a lot, so as a newbie to the forum, here's the explanation.
I got the name when I learned to do acupuncture, which was about eight years ago now. See in Chinese medicine, the life force energy running through channels in the body is called Qi (pronounced chee). So I am a Qi Wiz, or QiWiz for short. It is also a play on words, as many fellow hikers have figured out. (Gee whiz!, OR did you say Cheese Wiz?) So maybe I am just a clever guy . . .
Anyway, I am a persistent gear tweaker, having modified or enhanced just about everything I use for backpacking. Most projects are just for my personal enjoyment, but it did not end there. I'm now a "hobbyist" gear maker with my own website. Who knew?
I do backpack year round, mostly in the Western Pennsylvania woodlands, though I try to get out in the Western US once or twice a year as well. I am a life member of both the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and of www.backpackinglight.com and also support www.whiteblaze.net
My 2011 AT adventures can be fully examined at www.trailjournals.com/QiWiz if you are so inclined.
There is also an interview of yours truly at http://hikeitlikeit.com/2012/qiwiz-ul-gear-robert-kelly which is a first for me.