[pct-l] If you want to go back in time . . .

[Jeffrey Olson]

It was as recently as 1991 that I started a long section hike with my 
girlfriend - Lassen to Whitney - with 72 pounds, she with 55.  I had my 
light blue Super Tioga, two sets of home made fleece, one for the trail 
and one for camp, along with long johns, top and bottoms.  We carried a 
bluet stove and cannisters, lots of cannisters.  I had two books at all 
times, thick ones.  I can't remember what else we had.  I do remember my 
pack was stacked so it was easily a foot and a half higher than my head. 

My girlfriend had never hiked before in her life she had the same gear 
as I.  I can't imagine how we came up with that weight, even accounting 
for carrying 10 days of food.  I blew out my left ACL and had to get off 
the trail 30 days into the trip.  It was a chronic injury, one that I'm 
sure came from carrying too much stuff.  I wouldn't be hiking now if 
technology and techniques hadn't improved. 

I still have the super tioga, two Jansport D-3s, a 7000 cu in eight 
pound internal frame monster, and two or three increasingly lighter 
packs, and two Golite Gusts, one green and one red - I use the one my 
mood has me use...  Now the base weight is pushing 10 pounds

Jeff, just Jeff

Bighummel at aol.com wrote:
>  <<<
> Or when Eddie Bauer sold real backpacking gear?
>
>