[pct-l] Re: History of Ultralight (was: new resource for homemadeequipmt)

[CMountainDave at aol.com (CMountainDave@xxxxxxx)]

In a message dated 6/16/03 9:06:11 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
kborski@yahoo.com writes:

<< Here is a brief account of John Colter's solo hike in
 1808 through the midst of the Rocky Mountains during
 WINTER by H.M. Brackenridge:  "This man, with a pack
 of thirty pounds weight, his gun and some ammunition,
 went upwards of five hundred miles to the Crow nation;
 gave them information, and proceeded from them to
 several other tribes."  This trip was one of the
 greatest single feats of exploration and human
 endurance.  Colter set out alone in the fall (no
 horse, just on foot), crossed over the Continental
 Divide, explored completely unmapped country in which
 he did not speak the native language to even
 understand where he was when he did see the occasional
 "friendly" Indian, then crossed the divide again to
 arrive back in civilization the next spring to the
 complete awe of his fellow mountain men and trappers. 
 They'd all thought him dead.
 
 Lightweight?  You bet.  The year:  1808.
 
 What it boils down to is common sense.  Anyone that's
 ever had to walk long distances carrying supplies with
 them cannot help but think, "How can I get this thing
 lighter?" or "The lighter this pack is, the further I
 can go."  Duh. >>
Wow, did you just crush a bunch of male ego's. Brilliantly thought out post. 
Well, macho dudes, how about repeating Colter's feat for real bragging rights 
in today's wimpy world. No resupplying at the nearest mini mart, please