ridgerunner
2003-07-21, 09:29
to introduced myself. Name is Don, but I'll answer to just about anything. I'm 45 now, and married to a non camper. Oh well, nobody's perfect and I love her just the same.
I grew up on Army bases all over the U.S. and Europe. Then I did my own stint in the Air Force.
What brings me here is my discovery of the ultralight hiking craze/revolution. I'm especially crazy about that little soda can alchohol stove. I carry two. One for my coffee and one for my oatmeal.
When I was a boyscout, back in the mid to late sixties, we always used army equipment. Each of us had to carry a canvas pup tent half, some stakes and a pole, plus our down mummy bags, steel army mess kit, first aid kit, army D cell flashlight, web belt and canteen, compass, and whatever else we might feel like carrying. Food and supplies were always brought via duece and a half (big green army truck), so it wasn't all that bad. Once we set up a base camp, we'd hike with just our web belts and canteens. I did have a real boyscout external frame pack. I think that was the lightest piece of equipment I had. I remember some kids had wooden pack frames.
Now I just use a hammock/tarp, two liters of water and some freeze dried food and some odds and ends and I'm set. When I think back on my boyscout days, I think the adults were just trying to wear us out so we'd sleep at night.
I just bought me a Camelback 100 oz. water bag. It's OK, but pretty noisy compared to bota bags. Makes it kinda hard to sneak up on the critters (for pictures). But I can carry a lot more water with it.
I'll be asking some questions on ultralight equipment, so I'll know what I want when I go to the REI store, but I gotta go for now.
I grew up on Army bases all over the U.S. and Europe. Then I did my own stint in the Air Force.
What brings me here is my discovery of the ultralight hiking craze/revolution. I'm especially crazy about that little soda can alchohol stove. I carry two. One for my coffee and one for my oatmeal.
When I was a boyscout, back in the mid to late sixties, we always used army equipment. Each of us had to carry a canvas pup tent half, some stakes and a pole, plus our down mummy bags, steel army mess kit, first aid kit, army D cell flashlight, web belt and canteen, compass, and whatever else we might feel like carrying. Food and supplies were always brought via duece and a half (big green army truck), so it wasn't all that bad. Once we set up a base camp, we'd hike with just our web belts and canteens. I did have a real boyscout external frame pack. I think that was the lightest piece of equipment I had. I remember some kids had wooden pack frames.
Now I just use a hammock/tarp, two liters of water and some freeze dried food and some odds and ends and I'm set. When I think back on my boyscout days, I think the adults were just trying to wear us out so we'd sleep at night.
I just bought me a Camelback 100 oz. water bag. It's OK, but pretty noisy compared to bota bags. Makes it kinda hard to sneak up on the critters (for pictures). But I can carry a lot more water with it.
I'll be asking some questions on ultralight equipment, so I'll know what I want when I go to the REI store, but I gotta go for now.