Most of the backpacker photos I see on BPL show tightly packed, tidy looking packs on the backs of the posters.

I do care about weight but I don't give a lot of thought to volume or how things look. I let form follow function. Here's an example:



What are your thoughts on this subject?

Its fine by me... as long as that jug is empty.

Sir, you have been in this world long enough you have earned the right to look like whatever the heck you want to.

I like a small tidy pack because:

- It's easier to pass through the branches of or under downed trees in the trail.
- It's less bothersome when hitching.
- It snags on fewer branches.

That said, I like a pack that can be big in its main compartment so packing in the morning can be done very quickly, but cinch down very small when needed.

I don't like to strap things on because they can fall off

and they swing around and make noises and the weight shifts a little

but it's just a personal preference thing

It depends where you hike. Some of the national parks do those pack tightness inspections now. You will get fined heavily if they bust you.

Just looking at the picture you posted, I see 14 national park backpack infractions. Those violations will not only cost you in fines, but could subject you to park jail time or a mandatory boot camp. I believe I saw your photo posted on the nps.gov web site. They might be looking for you.



I'm kidding. I think it is a personal matter of style or possibly each person's degree of OCD.

I am a fugitive of the National Parks. I was falsely convicted for crimes I did not commit. I escaped when the train that was transporting me to prison derailed.
I have been searching for a one armed camper who I saw leaving the scene of the crime. I think I may have found that man as seen in the photo above. :)

Yep, personal choice and as long as I don't see anyone hiking naked Im happy.

Chas,

Naked?

My wife and I backpacked on the Kalalau (sp?) trail in Hawaii many years ago and that was the norm. Took me a while to get used to it. Everyone looked like photos from the early Stephenson Warmlite catalogs.

Doesn't really qualify as lightweight backpacking because pigment challenged folks like me need to carry a gallon of sunscreen.

Daryl

"Yep, personal choice and as long as I don't see anyone hiking naked Im happy."

That, sir, depends on who is doing the nekked hikin'. ;)

>> That, sir, depends on who is doing the nekked hikin'. ;)

I heard an old timer talking about anatomy. He said it sure did favor women.

"I heard an old timer talking about anatomy. He said it sure did favor women."

You're a man of passing discernment, George. ;=)

Hiking naked
As I am getting older ,I ponder about the gravity of it.
Franco

Off topic: Franco, what is going on in your avatar? It looks awesome, yet I have no idea what is happening.

PS: George, you had me when you said "National Park infractions." I furrowed the hell out of my brow for a good minute... infractions?!?! ... then it hit me...

"Hiking naked
As I am getting older ,I ponder about the gravity of it."

I'm praying for the gravity of it......

So, as I showered naked under the waterfall, surrounded by 5 naked young women, I pondered my situation.

Wife awaits me in the sweaty little myog tent. Maybe the tents of the future, with all the mosquito netting, had it right after all. My mostly fabric tent must be about 120 degrees inside at this moment. Full breeze and sun surrounds me, along with about 10 square yards of tanned flesh.

A troubling complication to my internal values clarification exercise is that feral goats are stumbling about at the top of this 100 foot waterfall. I may have only moments to live before a 1 pound rock hits me in the head and turns the lights out....for good. What to do?

No problem. I start designing my next piece of closed cell foam clothing in my head.

The problem with every beautiful naked women you see hiking a trail (hasn't happened yet) you probably will see 99 ugly naked people hiking the trail. Not sure its worth it the trade off..?

This configuration would not work in Ohio. The trails are not well taken care of. The thought of belly crawling under downed trees and tending my way through head-high greenbriar and thorn bushes makes me want to take up another hobby. I hear crocheting is fun . . . hmmmm . . . ;-)

Jeff
Not like me to hijack a tread.... but could not pass up the opportunity
my friend Yair Kellner took this up in the Aussie Alps at the end of last winter.
We were just killing time and since we both worked in photographic retail we were putting the Pana TS1 through its paces.

If you look carefully you can see me holding the torch in three spots.

Franco
(hard to see but I am naked in that shot)

Franco:

Which part is hard to see?

; )

I censored myself for making a big deal over a small thing like that
Franco
video

(hard to tell but I shaved my back for that clip)

Edited by Franco on 06/15/2011 03:39:12 MDT.