[pct-l] Dick Kelty

[carl.s at charter.net (Carl Siechert)]

Earlier tonight I was looking at the terrific collection of 1977 PCT
pictures that Monte Dodge assembled. It includes a number of pictures of
Dick Kelty, who drove out to visit us and several other PCT hikers at
various points on the PCT throughout California. It was always quite an
event, as other hikers would gather around this guy who was largely
responsible for developing the packs that were then so widely in use. He
checked out the experimental packs we were carrying, and then would make
repairs to everyone else's packs. A few of the guys (yes, it was mostly guys
hiking the PCT then) who weren't already using Kelty packs even switched
after some of these visits.
 
Then a few moments ago, I got a call from Dick's wife, Nena, with the sad
news that he passed away yesterday. He was a giant in the backpacking
community--and a really nice guy too.
 
--
Carl
one of the 1977 PCT Kelty Kids