Re: [Philmont]: Go-Lite packs

The light backpacking crazed, as I recall, peaked a few years ago. Those
backpackers were mostly weekenders that went out well under 15
pounds. They stretched the limits to get down to insanely light
weights. A garbage bag served as both rain poncho and tent. They cut
handles off of tooth brushes to get lighter than the next person. Although
it may have been fun for them, they were able to get away with equipment
that younger scouts should not have to deal with.

Safety, ease of use, and proper nutrition and hydration should be of more
concern to the crew than seeing how light the crew can go. That is not to
say that we want everyone to carry 50 pounds. We can always find a way to
save a pound. But it seems that when we save a pound, we then have room
for something that we actually may find useful or will add to the crew's
safety factor. That is not a bad mind set. Experienced backpackers may be
able to deal with small light packs. The average scout will get more
mileage out of a more conventional piece of equipment.

At 6/3/2003 11:43 AM, you wrote:
>All to previous comments concerning the ultra-lite packs are true. I
>started using the Go-Lite Speed Adventure Racing Pack last fall. You have
>to re-think your methods along with your equipment if you're going to go
>ultra-light. The material is thinner, but it's still pretty durable. You
>have to take better care of the equipment than your average Philmont Scout.
>
>Most of the ultra-lite gear is directed at solo or small group
>backpacking. Stoves are smaller, cookpots are smaller, etc. You might be
>hard pressed to fit all the standard group gear and food into a pack that
>small.

....

>Jack Reece

----------------------------------
Roman J. Smith
Scoutmaster Troop 505
roman.j.smith.13@nd.edu

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Received on Tue Jun 3 11:36:17 2003