Idiot BoB's Page of Lame Tips & Lamentations

Weight Saving Tips, as Seen at Trail Talk

RE: weight saving tips

It's hard to believe that people can get their backpacks all the way down to 40#. And we're not talking day trips either. We're talking about 3 whole days with such little weight.

I finally figured how to get my pack under 150#, but 40? Never.

I don't believe we should leave creature comforts at home. Now, I don't want to offend you ultra light boys and purists. But I have to have some comforts.

Here's a list of some extra things I bring along with me. Even if it's overnite.

Cot -- I'm not sleeping on the ground, I'm sorry. I don't want any stupid snakes sleeping under my sleeping bag. I figure I save a few pounds with a cot, because I don't have to bring one of those air mattresses, a stretcher (first aid), or the Garden Weasel for softening up the ground to sleep on it.

Coleman two burner stove -- I don't have any time to waste cooking with one burner. There's too much nature to see, and too little time to do it. I'm a busy man.

Beer -- Depending on how long I'm out in the woods. But I figure 2 six packs a day would be safe. Unless it's football season. Since I'm bringing beer along, I don't need any water so I can save some weight there too.

Television -- What can I say. "Football season". I just wish the batteries weren't so heavy and the reception was better. Come on guys admit it. "Football season". Let's open up here and tell the gals our true feelings about the importance of football in our lives.

Firewood -- The thinking with some of these items such as firewood, is that I don't need to waste time looking around for stuff that I can bring.

Fire ring -- Safety first!

Cooler -- For the beer.

Ice -- For the cooler.

Weedeater -- You never know where you are going to have to camp.

Chainsaw -- You never know when you are going to need to cross a swollen river. It comes in handy for trail maintenance too. Hey, I'm an environ-mentalist too ya' know. And I do my share.

Trash Bags -- Lots of 'em. LNT. Need I say more?

Anyway, that's a partial list of some of the necessities while on the trail.

Idiot BoB
October 31, 1998

"We can't help it. We're men."
-- Red Green

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