[pct-l] 80 lbs

[Wes Rose]

No doubt Ned is a wonderful human being and I'd love to take one of his snow courses one of 
these days. When he, or anybody else, engages in a convesation (or numerous conversations)
regarding gear and pack weight - as Ned does regularly - his own practices and thresholds come 
into consideration.  His backpack is huge and extremely heavy.  In all of his posts that I've read, 
I cannot recall reading that he carries 80lb or 90lb packs.  To say that this is an extremely heavy
pack would not be an overstatement, and asking him about his preferences does strike me as 
snide or unreasonable, respectfully.

Congrats and thanksgiving for Ned's skills, which possibly saved your friends life, and no offense 
intended at all, but I honestly don't see a connection between a 90lb pack and the ability to dress 
a wound and call for help.  

Obviously Ned isn't comfortable discussing his pack weight.  Too bad.  Maybe there is something there
for me to learn from?  Dunno.  The majority here appear to be ULers, but both sides have something to
teach.

Best regards to your friend and a speedy recovery.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim & Jane Moody 
  To: ned at mountaineducation.org 
  Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net ; Wes Rose ; reinholdmetzger at cox.net 
  Sent: Monday, October 18, 2010 2:05 PM
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] 80 lbs


  From Wes Rose:  One wonders what the payoff is for Ned?


  It wasn't just Ned who got a payoff.  I was with the group that included Calorie when he fell in Onion Valley and suffered a severe cut.  We stopped the bleeding, but the expertise that Ned, John, and Matt provided, including communication gear we didn't have, was invaluable and possibly life-saving.



  For at least one day, can we please refrain from the snide comments about Ned and his heavier gear and thank God that he was where he was on 14 June.  

  Thank you,

  Mango