Bag Night Contest?!?!

“I usually don't visit other outdoor websites because I don't want them to influence how I run thebackpacker.com. But today I happened to visit another site that is running "Bag Night Contest". Basically the more bag nights you log the more times you are entered into the contest. For some reason this just infruriates me. It's been mentioned before on TT, but why do people have to turn backpacking into a sport? Who said that you must have X number of bag nights to be a backpacker? Again, this just made me really mad. I guess it is a good thing that I don't visit other outdoor sites often, otherwise I would start logging how many squares of toilet paper I use on a trip. (And yes, I have used zero on some trips).”

“well I have been to that other web site and have entered my info. But I only do it to keep track of how many nights I spend out under the stars. I look at the Boy Scouts info and I dont think of them doing it for sports. Some do but then again some may not.”

“I agree - the "bag night" contest doesn't get my engine cranked.”

“Yes, backpacking is a sport, a sport for us, but i agree, what's the difference between 5 bagnights and 365 nights on the trail... who's a backpacker, I have maybe 5 nights on this year, Am I in the Lead?!? i dont' think so, and i agree, it doesn't matter, i dont' think someone that goes camping once in their car can call it a bag night, or call themselves a backpacker, or a single trip with the boyscouts doesn't make someone a backpacker, Even 50 trips through the back country doesn't make you a backpacker... well, maybe... it's a mental state, we are, we do, and we backpack, it's a state of mind.”

“Matt, some people will turn anything into a contest. They're so competitive that to them no endeavor is worthwhile unless winning is the object. Closely related are the endless arguments amongst AT thru-hikers about whether or not you've really hiked the AT unless you passed every white blaze with a full pack on your back. They're all missing the point that being in the backcountry and enjoying it is raison d'etre of backpacking.

Personally, I have a goal of making one overnighter a month this year, with a couple of longer trips thrown in. I already blew it because I'm not gonna do an overnighter this month. But I'm not stressed about it. Just jonesing.”

“I completely agree.

Is this the first thread you have started that is not related to your administration of this site? And a rant at that. Way to go!”

“Its not a SPORT but a retreat from the world itself!! If it was concidered a sport then every one in the world would be in the woods backpacking and destroyiung so much of what we love!! If you wana keep track, do like I do and remember the sunny and rainy days!!”

“It would be a sport if people waited along the trail and scored points by pushing you off the trail or hitting you with a ball or something.”

“LOL prowler, if I did that it'd be mostly rainy days! Trying to forget those!

It's all good though.”

“what constitutes a sport, it's not the fans, or the points, it's the fun that's involved, football is a sport because it's fun to play, fun to be there, i dont think a sport is something that has to be a big hype, nobody has to win, nobody has to keep score, hunting is a sport, who wins? the 30 point buck right, it's a sport because it's fun, backpacking is a sport, i got a touchdown on my last trip.”

“Snow Nymph will have us all beat.

She is my early pick.”

“"I completely agree.

Is this the first thread you have started that is not related to your administration of this site? And a rant at that. Way to go!"
Violin
01:06:32 PM
03/26/02

I am impressed! Way to go Matt. Now that you tested the water, don't be afraid to jump in on issues like gun control, abortion, religious beliefs and (my favorite) the continuing discussion on liberals vs. conservatives.”

“I think setting personal goals are great because they are about your own motivations. So saying "I want to have 30 bag nights this year". That is fine, because it is your own personal goal. The real freaky thing to me is that a somewhat respected publication is promoting a competition that is not about personal goals, but about score keeping.”

“I think the whole miles marched, bag nights had is directly connected to frail egos.”

“Yeah, I feel so inadequate.”

“I'm the best, most devoted, most well-equipped, most experienced, most knowledgeable backpacker out there. Nannny nanny boo boo, stick ur face in doo doo. Pffffffffffffffffffffttttttttttttttttttt.........”

“I think the whole purpose behind that was hook people into a sort of competition and thereby increase the number of times they visit the site. I wasn't interested for many of the same reasons stated previously, so I don't know the criteria...do nights spent car camping count? Nights in the backyard? Nights on the floor of somebody's house who may not have a spare bed? Nights spent in a trash bag?

C'mon, Matt, you've made the plunge. Now go visit some other sites and rant on! I love it.”

“Who verifies what qualifies as a bag night? Where is the referee? How many ways are there to cheat?

I think kleetn has it pegged. It seems like the underlying theory is, "we really don't care how many bag nights you have,,,,,what we really count is how many times you visit our site".”

“It's not a sport if you can't bet on it in Las Vegas.”

“I notice that on the "other site",,,the bag night challenge by state shows Maine with a huge lead over the runner up state (Maine with 1000 bag nights).

I don't think we can logically infer that people in Maine backpack twice as much as the rest of us.”

“I have noticed that the 'other site' forums is mostly a bunch of elitists and egotists trying how 'Mr. Eco' they are.

I stopped visiting that site some time ago.”

“Given that there are only about 20 or 30 people in the whole state...”

“Let's see,,,,there have been 12 weekends this year.....1000 divided by 12....

I just can't hardly believe that there are over 80 people going backpacking every weekend and logging in to the other site.

Way too much of a variance. I think there may be some over eager people wanting to enter the "contest".”

“"Nights spent in a trash bag?"

I'm still working on that one!

<GUFFAW>”

“sort of gives a whole new meaning to "bag night"”

“I think I losted...haven't BPed this year yet :o( disgusting. I think I should get off this forum, and hang out at a xc skiing forum.”

“LMAO Roseymonster!

chili36, the more I read your posts, the more I can see that you negotiate for a living.

BTW - I thought this thread was about picking up random chicks. If it was, I'd be at 0 thusfar this year, but don't count me out, I have a strong late kick.”

“My goal for this year is 60 bag nights!

I have 12 already!

I agree I go backpacking for the love of the wild earth.

Its a way for me to feel better.

Not a sport!

8|”

“yeah Buddha, when something appears to be too good,,,,,it generally is.

A law professor (he taught tax) once made the statement (in describing the limit on deductions and interpretation of the Tax Code)...... "the pigs get fat and the hogs get slaughtered".

Cheat a little bit and it slides,,,,cheat a lot and you get caught. I think the folks in Maine recording bag nights are on the way to market.”

“has to produce something new on a monthly basis about a subject as simple as "walking in the woods and sleeping in the woods".

They're obviously running out of shiny objects with which to catch the readers eye.


I could EASILY increase my bag nights tenfold. But hey, guess what?
I HAVE A LIFE!
BP'ing is good, but it ain't ALL that...”

“backpacking is my life!

If I could I would quit my job and go backpacking all the time.

Have all the time in the world for my club!

Are you kidding!!!!

I am going to backpack untill I can't walk no more!

8|”

“Sport? No.
No points to be earned

Adventure? No.
Nothing life risking or dangerous unless your into pissing off Grizzly Bears.

Activity or Hobby? Yes.

A way of life? Yes.
For a few of of it is. It is my personal favorite thing in the world to do. My "Great American Dream is not Wife, house, car, & kids.
It's to backpack. My "Great American Dream" is to Thru-hike the AT.

As far as a "Bag night Contest", If that's what gets people off then let 'em have it. I like to do all I can but I ain't into the competition thing. I enjoy a "Personal Challange" like seeing how many miles I can do but If someone can do more, I happy for them. If someone has more bag nights, I'm happy for them too.


"Nights spent in a trash bag"
Now that's Friggin hysterical!!!!!!
Good one Kleetn!!!!!”

“I agree 100% with walkindude!

8)

Backpacker for life!!!!”

“I have somewhat of a competitive nature and backpacking can be sport in the sense that it takes endurance, strength and a sharp mind. That said, I totally understand the non-competitive nature many people have. When I compete, it's with willing participants and I try always to exhibit good sportsmanship in winning or losing, the key is having fun with it. To me competition is fun so I compete. If I'm not competing against someone I compete against myself. My goal this year is to hike more miles than ever before and accumulate more bag nights than last year, if I don't, no big deal, I'll have fun trying.”

“Backpacking is a way to stay out of trouble for me. Its a hobby, my way of stress release, and something I love to do.

I've only got 3 bag nights this year. I'm out for the consecutive weekends in the wilderness, whether its backpacking, hiking or snowboarding. Maybe I'll catch up with crazy mike later in the year. But for now, I'm into snowboarding. Consecutive weekends in the wilderness right now is 21 weekends. The last non-wilderness weekend was Oct 26 weekend, when I went to Chicago for SnowDude's sisters wedding.”

“That contest encourages quantity over quality. I had two trips last year which were absolutely awesome and were much better than the dozen or so other trips I took combined. I would happily sacrifice many of those trips for another superlative one.

Also there is no way of verifying that people aren't just making up the numbers so that they can win the gear. After seeing some of last year's winners and the overall statistics, I'm dubious of the accuracy and authenticity of the results.”

“I try to backpack as much as I can becuase of how much I love being on the trail and the wild earth!

100% backpacker for life!

8)”

“C'mon now, back packing is an EXTREME sport...

Sometimes it is fun to get out and to push myself physically, but do I compete against others,NO. There are plenty of hikers out there who can walk faster and further than me. To them I say "please start the fire when you get to camp." One thing I love about TT trips is that you can have a bunch of people who hike at varying speeds and you have the opportunity to hike with em all,from the speed demons to the strollers.”

“I always label it as the most EXTREME sport also! But its just not as fun , ahh well I guess its fun either way!!

I now what you mean Birch, getting on the trail and just trekking it is a great feeling. Expecially when you get those burns were you are just kicking up dust!”

“Actually the real reason I dont do the bag night contest is because I just dont understand how to ad them!”

“I was a bit "in the bag" last night..........that Wild Goose pale ale is just TOO good!

So, what is "that other site"?”

“"I'm dubious of the accuracy and authenticity of the results."
Gear Slut
04:48:11 AM
03/27/02

D@mn lawyers all think alike.”

“Sure sounds like a bunch of losers!____no "real hikers!"

I guess backpacking is turning into a spectator sport. Arrive early and get a good seat near the finish line!









LOL”

“LOL! Maybe I'll just show up and stand on the edge of the trail holding out paper cups of water for the backpacks to throw on their faces as they streak by!”

“I think we need style points like in figure skating.

I can hear Dick Button now:
"The Russian judge has given nigal a 5.8 for his one-legged potty squat without spilling his coffee. He landed it beautifully. too!"”

“LMAO !!! aero”

“Another thought--I bet they want a bunch of personal info when you do the bag noght thing.”

“"Adventure? No.
Nothing life risking or dangerous unless your into pissing off Grizzly Bears.

WD"


Backpacking isn't adventure or dangerous?
I dunno, there's a certain stream in the Smokies that has me convinced that it is.”

“Does this mean we might be subjected to p!ss tests at the trail head?

I can hear it now,,,,chili36 has his medal stripped due to excess caffiene in his system...the sport is reeling from the shock.”

“""Adventure? No.
Nothing life risking or dangerous unless your into pissing off Grizzly Bears.

WD"

If you tend to get dizzy, don't look down after the Key-Hole of Long's Peak (CO), while you're moving along the narrow trail on the side of that sheer wall.”