[Philmont] Heavy Loads, Big Backpacks, and Physical Preparations

When I was in college, I backpacked with a couple of guys who were
fanatics about eliminating anything that was not necessary. Of course,
this resulted in reducing the weight of their packs. They were like
Ray, always looking for something lighter, smaller, multifunctional.
They were constantly drilling holes in things, cutting things shorter,
removing straps and repackaging food. I particularly remember one day
when we were repackaging the food for a trip, and one of them took out
the tea bags, removed the outer wrapping and cut off the strings. I
laughted out loud and remarked how the strings couldn't possibly be
enough weight to worry about. My friend responded that it wasn't about
weight, it was about excess.

I remember that day every time I pack my backpack.

Dan Preston
>
>  
>  
> I weigh EVERYTHING in my pack and keep a cumulative list of what’s in
> there - I am falsely accused of being a ‘gram weinnie – but don’t
> think I’m that bad YET!  I did cut off part of the handle on my
> toothbrush, but it was so it would fit in my toilet kit baggie not
> weight reduction (directly).  And am constantly changing things –
> lighter, smaller, lighter, multifunctional, lighter – you get the
> idea.  I really don’t have my final selections until I load my pack in
> the back of the bus.
>  
> Happy Trails,
>  
> Roy Fisher
Received on Tue Aug 21 14:32:40 2007