Please don't make me feel "small".

[lori]

I'm going hiking tomorrow with an ultralighter-than-me who thinks he couldn't sleep in a hammock. It's going to be 30F tomorrow night at 9000 feet. I'm taking two Hudson Rivers, overcover, the Blackbird, and my Big Tarp - he's taking an evazote pad and some sort of sleeping bag he has trouble fitting in his Osprey 35L.

I'm betting that even tho I will be heavier, I will be fine - compared to 80% of the backpackers on the trail out here, I am positively featherweight at 25 lbs.

I've been challenged to load up a 72 hour SAR pack to 20 lbs minus water, since we're supposed to carry 25 lbs for 8 miles to qualify. I'm stuck at 15 lbs and not wanting to add redundancy, but will be forced to throw in random gear - I could indeed be a 10 lb base weight without difficulty. But I love comfort and have no reason not to pack little extras or the hammock/tarp. I was just fitted for my SAR uniform and thanks to backpacking every month, they have to take in the shirt quite a few inches, and the pants fit loose. NO way I could go out a couple weekends a month if I were not sleeping well on the trail.

[ikemouser]

The way i look at it, it matters absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things, so im never bothered by it.

[Cruiser161]

...those of us who paddle a boat and carry a dutch oven that weighs 25 pounds in our boat are tolerated...

Tolerated? I would fight for a spot near you and your dutch oven at dinnertime!

[JerryW]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nM6wfjuirE

I read all the posts before I watched the YouTube link Arson posted. I had tears of laughter running down my face!





Jerry

[Perkolady]

Well i'm very new to this forum and glad to hear i hit a good one. So far i've found folks here to be helpful and mellow. You'll find people who are a pain in every sport, hobby, walk of life , and that's just the way it is. You need to believe in yourself and have a sense of humor and do your own thing, they'll do what they do. Its not all about the gear, although it helps, its about the journey. Have fun

So true, and very well said!

[stevebo]

good point! Gear is very personal, and just about everyone is really opinionated about it. (and of course my way is the best way to hike/camp! lol!) I guess because its personal, its pretty easy to offend people by a smart comment etc about their gear!

[Doctari]

Back in my bicycling days a cartoon in one of the bike mags had a Seriously over weight (100 - 150+ Lbs overweight) biker next to a slim biker. The big guy says: "my bike is more expensive because it's lighter and weight is very important?" His wheels were bending!

I believe its called "Denial" & yep, I ignore people like that.

[sulman]

In the words of Steve Martin, "Let's get small."

[Cannibal]

In the words of Steve Martin, "Let's get small."

Or, by proxy, Jimmy Buffett:

"Tried and I tried but I don't understand
Never seemed to work out the way I had it planned
Hangin' out at a marina when Steve Martin called
Singin' anybody there really want to get small"

[longbow]

I am also relatively new to the HF and I really value the way that people treat each other here and the great work by the moderator.