[pct-l] Front Packs

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Dec 10, 2008, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Re: [pct-l] Front Packs

I used an Osprey pack that had convenient zippered pockets on the  
waist belt. The zippers broke quickly, however. The trick is to unzip  
and rezip with the opposite hand, I guess. I kept my lunch,  
flashlight and extra chapstick, in them. (Chapstick always gets lost  
for me so I like to carry a backup.) Also my mosquito net for quick  
deployment.

I kept my knife and good chapstick in a zippered pants pocket.

Additionally, I had this old canvas (i.e. much too heavy) pouch that  
is intended for people doing field work to carry their field  
notebook. In that I could carry my journal and a pen, the guide book  
pages for the day and data book (I carried the data book whole), my  
camera, a couple of energy bars and even a 20oz water bottle.  
Although heavy, it was actually my favorite piece of equipment. I  
attached it to a side strap on my pack so I could reach with my right  
hand.

I don't see why you couldn't improvise something great with a little  
fabric, a needle and thread (or sewing machine.) Something to attach  
to the waist belt, the shoulder straps or the sternum strap could be  
made quite easily.

There's ultralight and there's make-your-own. Sometimes the two  
overlap and sometimes they don't. In my opinion, make-your-own  
carries a special cachet.