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Mark Verber
(verber) - MLife

Locale: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: Perhaps it's not so complicated ... maybe just update and feature the 101 article on 07/14/2008 09:20:38 MDT Print View

> Perhaps what I should be advocating is a beginners
> friendly composite output that perhaps could be made by
> folks here, and somehow get high search rankings to people
> do not get overwhelmed into giving up (thinking they can't
> go out without [even as I had supposed] a $300 sleeping
> bag). Maybe I should put my efforts towards this.

A simple "solution" to this problem would be

  • update of the BPL's backpacking 101 article
  • Keep this article as part of the free content
  • On BPL's entry page to always have a featured link to the intro article


I think this would be highly effective because the BPL.com site has very high google ranking for topics related to ultralight backpacking. People searching will come to the site and find a nice getting started guide. For people who stop there, life will be simple. Those wanting more in depth understanding can join the forums, get a subscription and read additional information, search the web endlessly, etc.

Personally, I think this is something that BPL should do. That said, I don't think this is really an "answer".

The core issue is that there is no one "right" or "best" set of items or approaches to backpacking. People's preferences vary which is why there are multiple companies making a wide variety of items. I can find countless articles on the web which give a simple recipe for light or ultralight backpacking... by which I mean a gear list with explanations why the items selected are "the best". Taking one of these lists and following is would certainly be simple and typically net a reasonable experience.

I think the "right answer" is to help people know what the issues are, and then let them figure out what will work well for them. I think the book Lighten Up! by Don Ladigin is the best single source for this sort of information.

My recommended light weight gear pages is a weak shadow of Don's book... but has a slight advantage (is it an advantage?) that I can list specific items / options because it's easy for me to update. If Don put specific products in his book it would become quickly dated.

--Mark
David Lewis
(davidlewis) - MLife

Locale: Nova Scotia, Canada
Sticky Posts... on 07/14/2008 13:59:20 MDT Print View

Actually... BPL should switch to a more modern Forum software (porting the old thread might be a nightmare tho')... and then certain things like this (i.e... a Lightweight 101 thread / article / etc.) could be made "sticky"... i.e... they always stay at the top of the list of threads.
Ben 2 World
(ben2world) - MLife

Locale: So Cal
Re: Sticky Posts... on 07/14/2008 14:09:21 MDT Print View

I did something very similar at the Gear Branch of the Lonely Planet travel forum. A lot of the stuff is already 'out there' -- and it's a matter of organizing them into an easy to find and follow format. Should be pretty easy writing up a sticky post here.

Edited by ben2world on 07/14/2008 14:11:10 MDT.
René Enguehard
(ahugenerd) - MLife

Locale: Newfoundland
Re: Re: Perhaps it's not so complicated on 07/15/2008 11:10:16 MDT Print View

I agree and would add that technique tips would be another idea. Things like in what conditions you should/shouldn't pack certain items but perhaps some more uncommon things that some of us might take for granted.

IE: Best way to tie such or such a line. Ways to transport fuel safely. Basic packing techniques to optimize load distribution and volume usage. These are all important things that some of us might take for granted and have a huge impact on our experience. I know my first time out was a bit daunting and these kinds of tips can help. They also relate directly back to what is the best gear to get.

Picking the right gear involves research. Whether you find that research complex or not may vary but some basic guidelines and tips would make the research much faster and more efficient.