Going without a pack?

“Using a tarp instead of a tent what are your thoughts concerning rolling all the gear in a tarp and then securing the whole bundle cross-body with a strap. I've just about got my entire "pack" weight under 8 lbs. (minus the pack, of course), and using a padded strap, I think that it might be possible.

Likely, I won't know for sure if it'll work until I try, but I just wanted to input.”

“Ever seen the original Boy Scout handbook? That was how it was done in the good ole days.”

“I have one sitting around somewhere. I'll have to dig it up.”

“Were you in the boy scouts, Skully?”

“I'm an assistant scoutmaster. I also have a friend who has a reprint of the original handbook. It has an illustration and instructions for rolling your gear in your bedding, running your belt through it and tying it around you over one shoulder, diagonally across your back around your waist and diagonally in front of you. I've tried to find a website so I could post a link but I've had no success.”

“i was a boy scout once”

“I was a girl scout once.”

“Depending on the roll's size, I was planning on running a heavy belt (US Army issue) through it, or if the weight isn't distributed in a fitting manner, I'd use a padded strap and wear it across my back.”

“The trick is in the comfort. You don't want it lumpy and you want to keep it from bunching up on you. And of course, you don't want your stuff falling out on the ground as you walk!

I often roll up my dayhiking stuff in my raingear and wear it around my waist as a fanny pack. Works just fine for me.”

“I've figured out how to roll it and fold in the tarp to prevent any spilling.

I was curious if anyone else out there had tried this out and had any pearls of wisdom.

I've done a little searching (on the net) for the scout handbook, but also without success. I'll have to do it the hard way and go down to the basement and start going through boxes.”

“I'm sticking with the smaller pack idea!”

“And I'm proud yer an assistant scout master, Skully. That takes balls!”

“Im an eagle scout.”

“i made it to star before i quit”

“LOL toejam. Not in my case!


LMBO!”

“I was never in scouts.I saw a program on tv about backpacking and then I went out and bought all the gear and the fell in love with it.I have been doing it for 11 years.

Going for 60 bag nights this year.”

“I'm working on it for this summer. I have a couple of ideas. I had thought about doing the over the shoulder thing but I'm afraid it will always ened up down at my side. I had also thought about rolling the tarp around a loosely rolled ridge rest and one end sealed off by folding and then throw everything down inside the ridge rest and fold off the top end. It would be carried vertical and I'm just trying to figure out how to rig a couple shoulder straps. An Army H-harnes and some strap should do it.”

“so what is the sport called when you drop the backpack?
rolleduptarpbackin?”

“I was in the Boy Scouts but the bastards kicked me out for eating Brownies”

“Sport?

I call it walkin' in da woods. 8)”

“Although I got a kick out of rolleduptarping. I recomend we call it muiring, in honor of John Muir who liked to grab a blanket and a loaf of bread and hit the trail. He also helped found the Sierra Club.”

“Or tarppacking if 'muiring' is dorky.”

“It's actually called "slack packing"”

“Muiring. I like that.”

“Use the David Caradeen method for rolling yer stuff in a bundle and carrying it over shoulder ala Qui Chang Kane style.

I think a large waterproof stuffsack with a strap attached to it would be what younzes are hankerin' fer.”

“Dang you guys must be poor!!!!

Whats wrong with a one of those golites packs?

What happens in the rain, when you're packing up everything into your tarp? How sturdy a tarp you talkin? I guess you could use lots of big ziplocs and rig a camel pac for water.

Is it gonna be snug enough to scramble with?

So which one of you wants to invest in my "helium pack" idea? Not only does it help lighten the load but protects you from the sun and rain when needed.”

“I read a story in a magazine once about two guys who were going to backpack across Europe. The second day or so someone stole their backpacks. All they had were their down jackets and what they had in their pockets. They decided to see how well they could survive by just filling their pockets with gear and using their down jackets as their sleeping bags. They went the whole two months that way.

YES DEAR doesn't post any more, but he hikes at night and then rolls out a groundcloth and catnaps during the heat of the day. Keeps his packweight down that way.”

“I was looking at a weekend in the summer when life on the trail is easy and ya don't have to worry about a stove, rain gear or much of anything. The question shouldn't be "Why?", but rather "Why not?". It's gonna be fun.”

“Was that the same artical that spoke of hiking in the Beartooths with a 16 pound pack Phil? It sounds like the very one. That was the artical that got me started on lightweight packing. It is great to see just how little we really need.”

“Point of fact, Briar Rabbit, I am cheap. Secondly, if I buy a golite, I still have to pack the tarp. If I use the tarp, I save myself the weight (regardless of how light) of the pack. Not to mention I never have to worry about fumbling with a cover for the tarp when it rains.”

“I've found that there's a point to be reached when you stop eliminating items from your gear list and instead find multiple uses for existing equipment.

The Shaolin monks used to travel the country side only with a wooden bowl and a razor for shaving their heads.”

“a stuff sack would work. you could sew a loop or something onto it to attatch whatever you're using to hold it on your back. (a belt or some kind of strap)”

“The tarps laid out on the ground, its pouring, the tarps collecting water, as you try to remember how it was stuffed and folded. Will there be organization of stuff, and will the lumps be uniform?

Plastic tarps might get pretty hot up against the body, and those sil's would they be durable enough to take the abuse your existing pack handles?

I've carried modified rucksacks and duffle bags. Used some cheap green padding and duct tape and turned those shoulder cutting straps into something more bearable. Talk about pullin a Mcyver in a pinch.”

“are people gonna start hunting and gathering on bp trips to cut down on the weight?”

“i've been thinkin about this one and the more i think about it the more ridiculous it sounds to go backpacking without a backpack. it's not right.”

“What are we trying to accomplish by going without a pack? Less is more?

Here is a light weigh tip for ya. I have taken many trips with no gear at all. In fact my body didn't even go. My spirit and imagination made the entire trip. I have made several trips like this. Laying in bed thinking about the miles, the scenery, the animals. There ya go. If you are obsessed with weight just allow your mind to teleport you through your trip. No need to lug anything.

I have created a new genra of hiking. The bacpac nappac.

Look for my new book and website.”

“If you read the original post guys, he's not asking for your opinion on what he's doing. He's asking for tips on how to do it. The rest is up to him, not you.”

“Bring a coat with LOTS of pockets...fill the pockets with gear...tie arms of coat around waist.

Your 8lbs sounds nice and all, but aren't you forgetting about food and water?”

“It's not right? So what IS right? Man, open your mind some! I refuse to be a prisoner by fad consumerism and slick ads that show what is "right". There was life before camelbacks and Tikkas. Contrary to popular parania you will not die if you get wet. If it's not for you, fine. Don't do it. Why must everyone be so quick to discourage what they don't see as "right"?

Personally I'm not hiking again until bacpac's book comes out. I have a feeling I might be able to incorperate a bit of sexual depravity into his system and arrange a "mind hike" with Reese Witherspoon who will be totally in love with me on this hike!”

“This thread begs the use of a vest, it caries the gear, doubles as an article of clothing, needs no straps or belts, can be organized,and does not result in the "Lumping" of gear at any point...”

“Hey, Nigal, that was definitely a pack.”

“Turn off your mind
Relax and float downstream

What is a Tikka?

First of all you must be able to roll a good burrito.

If you can roll a good burrito that doesn't leak when you eat it, then you are on the true path of enLIGHTENment.”

“The ultimate in lightweight backpacking is no gear and no clothes. Hike nude with nothing on your back.”

“I bet a tarp with Gore-tex would work great! It would be waterproof yet breathable. As for a tent, that's what raingear is.”

“They've been doin' that for years, bacpac. It's called Astral Projection.

One 'S'.”

“Lunch all over the monitor. Thanks Tilt! LMAO!”

“nigal -

You can too die if you get wet. I nearly proved that one.

If someone wants too experiment, more power to them.

How about tying your bundle on the end of a stick slung over your shoulder, hobo style?”

“Correctamundo, Mr.violin! Even in the 60'sF, a wet person can become hypothermic and die.”

“get a usaf survival vest, light, simple, takes all kinds of pockets/pouches/holsters/gear... used one for several years in place of a daypack...”