http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/11/camping-comfort-goes-heavy-on-the-gear/

Un-interesting as far as I'm concerned. They are talking about "car camping" where you only have to carry your gear from the trunk to the grass. It has no relevance to UL hiking.

Matt, did you read more than the first sentence or two?

Hey, gang- Let's give our friends a bit of benefit of doubt. Most people who post here aren't tools; my guess is that Matt saw a reflection of himself in the article, and thought some of us also might appreciate the different point of view. Are we that one-dimensional that ultralight backpacking is our singular viewpoint of the world? I don't think so. I pretty much live for lightweight backpacking and backcountry exploration. That said, I also enjoy sitting around a campfire with a stack of hotcakes and bacon. Nothing wrong with that! You'll note that the article author wrote from a compare/contrast perspective, not a one-dimensional perspective--ultralight: car camping--and why each have their place. I think you could also argue that we get so caught up in all things ultralight, that it can be instructive to be reminded that ours isn't the only way to approach the outdoors... The article's just a fun glimpse into our (hopefully) multi-faceted lives.

Edited by 4quietwoods on 08/13/2008 09:22:43 MDT.

The article is fine, though I can't see running through 4 D batteries to take a shower. I'm happy to bring my Hobitat 4 and an air mattress when I car camp. Why not? But calling people who don't carry more than they need "disciples of deprivation" is a little lame. If she "used to be one" she should know that it's not about deprivation, it's more about overall comfort (i.e. light pack) and simplicity really. But she's just trying to get an article published - poking a little fun is a good way to do that.

I guess I missed the point of referencing the ariticle to this site as well but decided to jump in because we both backpack and car camp. However, after light backpacking we take some of the principles (and gear) over to our car camping excursions. "Real" car camping gear takes too much space, too much lugging and too much time to set up. We use basic backpacking gear with a light but slightly larger tent, more comfortable air mattress, a little more cooking gear and some fresh food and all the good wine we want!

It's kind of an annoying article. Basically just trying to sell us a bunch of expensive gear because by being unenlightened about ultralight backpacking, some people are really enlightened about "life" or some such nonsense. Mostly the target audience seems to be people who have never backpacked a day in their lives.

Brad, I realise the article was a fun poke at UL attitudes, it's just that Matt's title said "interesting article on ultralight hiking" when in fact no hiking was mentioned in the article, merely camping. Sure thing when I go car camping I take along lots of comfy luxuries. It's a completely different activity to hiking in my mind.

Boy, I wish I was rich enough to be a gear-savvy car camper!

Yah, yah-- don't get me wrong, there's a fair bit of B...Baloney, too...