August Issue of Backpacker Magazine

“Does anyone have an August issue of Backpacker magazine I can have? A friend of mine is prominently featured, and he told me to get a copy to see his 15 minutes of fame, and I neglected to do so. If anyone can send me one, it is Bob Shaver, 1515 Shenandoah Dr. Boise, ID 83712. Thanks!!”

“I'm sure I have it at home somewhere and will get it in the mail tomorrow.”

“Who's the dood?”

“It's in the mail.”

“Muchas gracias!!”

“The dood is Marc Dilley, my old mountaineering and backpacking buddy from way back. I haven't seen the magazine, so I don't know what page he's on. He lives in Wenatchee, and hikes all over the Cascades, so I expect it might be an article about the Cascades, or some climb he and his wife Margaretta did with some writer for the magazine. Can't wait to see the magazine, now!”

“Have you heard anything about new Backpacker Mag advertisement effort?”

“Thanks, baume 66, the magazine arrived. My friend Marc was in an article on page 44 titled "Heavyweights v Lightweights". Several people on a backpacking trip had heavy packs (including Marc) and several had light packs. The article compared their experiences. Since the author is a "lightweight" you know the article made the heavyweights look bad. I'll ask Marc what "the rest of the story" was. Thanks again for the magazine.”

“I read that article and detected the bias. I am anxious to find out what your friend says.”

“The area where they were hiking is the last place I'd want to be "under equiped". The North Cascades is rough country, where you can be in a blizzard in August, slide off traverse routes such as this into cliffs, have medical needs, have gear shredded by bushwhacking, pull muscles, twist ankles, be in tent flattening winds, and get giardia. This list is stuff I have personnally experienced in the North Cascades, most of it with Marc Dilley, the "heavyweight" in the article. I always thought that ultralight hiking was for a trail hiking situation, not a mountaineering situation. I'd like to hear what Marc thought of his companions gear. Its obvious Marc and the "Heavies" had better food.”

“maybe you could get him to log on and post his side. Sorta like a TT guest speaker.”