Re: Backpacking Equipment
Paul Oman (poman@WICHITA.INFI.NET)
Sat, 27 Dec 1997 10:03:23 -0600
I agree with Andrew's comments on Packs with the following exception:
If you are camping in the jungle or doing high adventure where you need to
fit through tight places an internal pack is superior to exterior packs to
keep from getting caught on vegetation etc. Many of the campers in Malaysia
use internal packs to avoid getting caught on all the vines etc.
YIS
Paul Oman
Advancement Chair Troop 580
Unit Commissioner 580/581/582
High Plains District, Quivira Council
-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew Hagemann <hagemann@VISI.NET>
To: Multiple recipients of list SCOUTS-L <SCOUTS-L@TCUBVM.IS.TCU.EDU>
Date: Saturday, December 27, 1997 9:29 AM
Subject: Re: Backpacking Equipment
>Ben Pharr wrote:
>>
>> <snip>
>>
>> What size backpack does everyone have? Do you wish it was any smaller or
>> bigger? Do you prefer backpacks to have lots of smaller pockets, or a
>> few big pockets? Do you prefer internal or external frame? What is your
>> favorite brand of backpacks?
>>
>> <Snip>
>>
>
>I've been using an external backpack that I bought from the Cabela's
>Catalog about ten years ago when I went on a two-week-long backpacking
>bow-hunting trip in the mountains of Virginia. At the time (many years
>before I became a Scout leader) I just had to have a camouflage colored
>pack, and this was the only one on the market. Fortunately, it turned
>out to be a really great design and ruggedly made.
>
>Even though I don't care for the camouflage color now that I'm a Scout
>leader, I still like the design of the pack. If you don't like
>camouflage-colored backpacks, this pack is very much like the Kelty
>"Super Tioga" (Campmor, $140) and the Camp Trails "Omega" (Campmor,
>$180). I've got a Scout in my Troop who's been pestering me to sell him
>my pack, so when he comes up with the money ($50, I'm a soft touch when
>it comes to my Scouts), I'm going to buy a Kelty "Super Tioga".
>
>I'm partial to Kelty backpacks, but over the years the Scouters in my
>Troop have been using Lowe Alpine, McGregor, The North Face, Jansen, and
>Camp Trails. Each guy swears by his pack, so take your pick. Only one
>of these guys uses an internal frame pack, and he doesn't backpack camp
>at all. I think there is a message in there, Ben!
>
>My first good-quality pack was an aluminum-framed Kelty
>single-compartment pack. It's in great shape after 25 years of regular
>use. I've thrown away the web hip belt that came with it and replaced
>it with a foam-padded one (of little-boy-waist diameter). I loan to my
>newest Scouts who need to borrow for a bit.
>
>This Cabela's Alaska II model I use has 4670 cubic inches (when fully
>expanded) of well-thought-out space. It has proven to be the right size
>for everything I do. When I'm on a two-nighter with my Troop, I have
>lots of space left over. When I go backpacking, I have enough room for
>my share of the food and water. I did have to accessorize it a bit
>since it didn't have any water bottle pockets, but the good ole Campmor
>catalog solved that easily. I bought a pair of add-on water bottle
>pockets that I put on my hip belt. I like the pre-curved shoulder
>straps and the placement of the chest strap. This pack is comfortable
>to wear, even when loaded with 40 or 50 pounds of gear.
>
>I don't like packs with lots of pockets. I've had them in the past and
>I tend to forget what I've stowed where. A few good-sized pockets on
>the outside help me quickly reach first aid gear, butane lighters, and
>flashlights when I need them right away.
>
>I do like divided main compartments, and won't buy a pack that doesn't
>have a removable main compartment divider. Although I have never
>removed the divider, I can see how I might use a large single
>compartment at times, and want that option.
>
>I prefer an external frame pack because it's easy to lash either one of
>my two sleeping bags (three-season and winter) and my Therma Rest
>Camprest sleeping pad (the biggest one Therma Rest makes) onto the
>external frame. None of these three pieces of gear fit inside an
>internal frame pack. I've tried unsuccessfully to put them into various
>large-capacity internal frame packs. And I don't like the way I had to
>lash this gear onto the outside, either. The Camprest was always too
>wobbly up there on top the pack, and the sleeping bag hit my butt as I
>walked. I've also tried putting both items on top, but no pack's top
>lash points have never been robust enough to suit me.
>
>I don't think I'll ever use any pack's sleeping bag compartments,
>though. I prefer to stow other things in there; things like my BP
>stove, fuel bottles, and extra water when I'm backpack camping. My
>winter weight, Quallo-Fil II filled sleeping bag won't stow in anybody's
>bottom panel anyway (too bulky, even when compressed), but my
>three-season bag would if I wanted to put it there. I prefer to lash my
>sleeping bag onto the bottom of the frame, using a waterproof
>compression sack to protect it and make it easier to stow.
>
>My Alaska II pack has three side pockets (one real long one for carrying
>a spotting scope, and two decent-sized ones on the opposite side). It
>also has two pockets on the back, one sewn in front of the other. The
>smaller one comes in real handy for stowing my leather work gloves, and
>the other one is great for holding my mess gear and such. The top of
>the pack is also a large pocket, and I put my rain gear there to keep it
>close to hand.
>
>I hope this helps you. Buy a large capacity external frame pack.
>
>The Scouting Blacksmith,
>Drew
>--
>Andrew Hagemann <hagemann@visi.net>
>SA, New Scout Patrol, Troop 6 (Colonial Virginia Council)
>A "Charging" Buffalo, SR-158 / Jamboree '97 Metal Work MB Booth
>Coordinator
>
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