Insecurities

“I think I hit a sore spot w/ pekka & his Knife. Any other TTer's get defensive about particular gear?

Maybe somebody told you you don't really need something once? (btw pekka, you don't really need a knife--I lost mine about 5 years ago and haven't even missed it. First aid scissors work for most things).

To this day, my Dad still reminds me I brought a curling iron on a hike once :P”

“Just don't rip on my dog and we'll get along just fine.”

“Ya' know biz,,,hiking is about as individual as it gets,,,I personally don't know any two people who carry the same gear. I tend to take what I am comfortable with. Of course, weight will limit the list, but after you pass the tent, backpack, sleeping bag, food and water (and there are ways to limit this weight),,isn't everything else mostly dictated by personal preference????”

“I don't know where I'd be without my zircon-encrusted tweezers.”

“It's hard for me to go out without a camera even if I've been there before.

As far as being insecure about any gear or style relating to me, none at all. I'm content with the way I hike and what I carry and who I hike with.
I've been known to try to give advice or share knowledge if I see somebody looking painfully overloaded. My brother is a good example there. He has bad knees and carries way to much #&%!$.”

“I once met a guy who was barefoot on the trail (I was just hiking). He told me I need not wear shoes...I looked at him funny.

Anyway, to each his own....if he gets a splinter or gash in his foot, don't come running to me.”

“…and this one time, on TT, bacpac made fun of me and called me a damn idiot cause I said a couple plastic grocery sacks doubled up make a good water gathering bucket…an’ he said this is the kind of thing that gets people killed in the woods. I still have not recovered from his deriding and mean-spiritedness…”as my keyboard gently weeps”…

LOL! About the only thing that bugs me is when people bash my overall style of hiking; lightweight hiking.”

“First of all, Tilt, I for one do NOT want to know what you are using those zircon encrusted tweezers for!

Secondly, Biz, was that one of those butane curling irons?

And Finally, I think I get most defensive about the pack. It's an external frame (not the 'in' thing these days). But I like it fine and I'm comfortable with it. You'd be amazed at how many people feel the need to rag on me for it. I don't know why they care, it's not on their back!”

“You may not need something but I might. It's no-ones damn business what I carry. I've been backpacking for 2/3s of my life and there is a reason and exerience that determines what I carry. Why does everyone feel the need to tell others what they should or should not use? Suggestions are great and welcome but "you don't need x" sounds very condescending.

I got nothing against what others carry or thier style just don't impose your "style" on me.

BTW-I use my knife every single day camping or not.”

“I love gear. A knife is gear. Therefore I love knives. In fact, I just ordered another one from the REI website yesterday to use up my dividend before it expires.

As a Forest Service Volunteer I hike with different people on patrol each month (May-Oct) and it is facinating to see what each person brings. Same for the llama trips! I learned a lot from Naviguesser last time out, not to mention Mozark and the others. One very experienced person brought an entire roll of paper towels!! He said it works great for him!!

Things change also. I used to bring my candle lantern all the time. I find myself leaving it home mostly now just for purely weight considerations.”

“Nanner, nanner, nanner, my gears better than your gear.....

I don't get all the arguing over gear. I bring my girlfriend, who insists on a knife. I'll probably never bring knife. (Really don't need to now, do I , she's carrying it!!!!) :p”

“Yup”

“I must have missed that thread.
I carry a little knife ....so what?
I'm not any good at cleaning trout with scissors ;)
Over the years my knives have gotten smaller and smaller. When I was seventeen I carried a whopper of a knife! Used to carry a gun too, but soon realized there was no need. There is more to fear on the streets of my little town than on the trails of the Sierras.”

“I use my little for pickin' my toenails and cuttin' the cheese. Heck, half the time I cut the cheese WITHOUT the knife!”

“Note to self: Never accept a slice of cheese from Nigal.”

“I agree Ski!”

“I carry tons of stuff.My bigest problem is being in a rush and leaving something at home.The one thing that people sometimes say or make fun of is my backpack.I use a 5500 ci eddie bauer pack and I love it.It fits me like a glove and it fits all of my needs and it only cost $100.And to me that is a deal.As far as the dbl bag thing to get water ya that works I tryed it once.

happy hiking....:)

Mike”

“I've never been insecure of what I carry however I have been coveting of what others carry. The first time I say Ski's Thermarest chair kit, I knew I wanted one.

Thanks to Nigal I have one and it's great. Used to carry a knife, but now just carry my leatherman micra that has a small knife within.

Oh yeah, I have coveted anothers headlamp too!”

“I admit to being guilty of some serious coveting. And I usually end up owning it more often times than not ¦ )
.”

“me too. that's what is great about these tt hikes. you get to see just about any piece of gear your curious about being used. i have sought things i saw others using. i have also changed my mind about things i thought i wanted after seeing others use it. the real interesting stuff is to see how people do different things and what they make do with. jerbear and his tang and instant coffee is an example. never paid those tubes any mind before seeing him with them.”

“LOL Tilt!!!!!!!!!”

“mmmmm.... tweezers....

And a few Q-tips.”

“...please her with a tweezer.

It's gonna be cold cold cold cold cold.”

“Buddur good deal on the PHISH...I like that........:)

Mike”

“I DON'T WANT TO KNOW!”

“I always think it's funny when people get mad after I question the use of carrying a GUN on the trail.
I never thought people actually carried them until I started checking this site out. I personally think that carrying a gun is really unnecessary thing to do and I do hope that somehow I'm able to convince these gun toters that fear is their biggest problem. So I appoligise for asserting my views on you, but its only for your own good. Uh oh I think someone aint gona like this one.”

“The ultimate in lightweight packing is hiking nude with no pack at all. Anyone who carries more than that has no right to criticize others.”

“Then there is the infamous "Bears are not a Problem" thread that I started way back. I was just as confused about Backpackers "Fear" of Bears as I to the practice of carring wepons. I think fear has is a real problem amongst this group. Or maybe it's the same people that carry guns that are afraid of bears too. Seriously, how often have you heard of backpackers getting attacked by bears or people on the trail other than the old rumors. I think it's all just a burden on the mind.

Lightweight Backpacking = Light Pack and an unburdened spirit.”

“But going light doesn't mean drinking Lite beer!

Mmmmmmmmm...beer!”

“Did someone say Beers? or was that Bears?”

“When talking to non-packers the first thing they seem to ask is... "you do carry a gun don't you?" Then it's... "what if you encounter a bear or a rattlesnake"
They really can't believe that if you give wild animals space to get away from you they will. They think I'm totally nuts when I tell them I hope to encounter these things and those very encounters are what really makes a trip memorable!!!

Is this going to turn into another gun thread???”

“That is the one thing that sucks about hiking in cold weather all the weight goes up in my backpack.I used to drink alot but I can't anymore becuase of the med's I am on but as far as lightweight backpacking goes I try my best but I only get rid of about 8 lbs.Is that good or bad?

happy hiking....:)

Oh ya I'm not going to get mad anymore when someone here on the TT says something about me or my gear.I now know it's all in good fun here at the TT and I want to do my best to get along with everyone......:)

Mike”

“hi Mike. Your name is confusing. you love backpacking, eh?

This thread isn't making me laugh as much as the other one (the one about hiking around the world). SO, back to that one..people are too serious around here. Must be the holiday stress”

“Its my gear right or wrong!”

“...and he can hike if he wants too.”

“Instead of a gun, you could carry a few bottle rockets. That'd be lighter.”

“My broker tried to sell me some insecurities, but I balked and he went to first base.

I told him to keep his hands to himself, filthy commie peacenik vermin swine.

I sure miss Bill Hicks.”

“Thinair, I think your personal bewilderment over people carrying on the trail may stem from your misunderstanding of why they are carrying in the first place. Gun carrying does not equal fear in most cases.

I have never carried nor do I feel a need to but I do understand the reasons many people do carry. I encourage everyone to exercise their rights to the fullest level of their own personal responsability. Just MHO.”

“I carry my chair and my big camera. I don't care what anyone says. My butt feels good, and photography is my hobby. I'm a happy camper!

I also wash my hair and take a bath (almost every night) after backpacking (no hair washing in the winter). Its important to me. People tease me about it. Out of 30 days on the JMT we probably only missed 2 nights of bathing. Sierra water is cold, but you just gotta do it quick.”

“I get like that when I get sleepy.....zzzzzzzz...:)

Off to work I go....:(

Have a great day everyone....

Mike”

“My hike through the Yosemite Backcountry last summer produced a close up encounter with a small bear. We were so excited! Tried to get a picture but the bear jumped into the brush before we could get a pic. :)”

“I did a group backpack to Bearpaw Meadow in July. I always wear heavy boots (Raichle Mountain Trekkers) and people tell me I should try trail runners or lighter shoes. I "forgot" my boots this trip and had to drive 50+ miles to the nearest town. The only thing they had that fit were kids boots. Soft, and comfy in the store, but after 13 miles the first day, my feet were killing me! Still had a dayhike the second day and 13 mi out the third day. My feet hurt for a month after.

Also followed a bear for 45 min on that trip. It was pretty exciting! I thought this guy was deaf and blind. He only looked at me once after ~30 min. Got some good pics. (on my website)”