My new ultra-light Backpack.

“I just ordered this. I plan to convert it to an ultra-light backpack. I have seen something like it carried by a thru hiker who hiked on the AT from Davonport Gap Shelter to Icewater Spring Shelter, GSMNP,in one day in the rain.

Anyone want to buy my 7 pound Alaska 115?”

“HaHaHa...I have that very same dirty clothes hamper w/mesh bag.”

“Sergeant Rock made a pack out of a bag like that. He has instructions on his website.”

“Right. Thanks, Buddur. I have a couple ideas for how to handle that. But, actually, I am looking for a tumpline.”

“Thanks, richb.”

“I wasn't making fun...I just thought it was funny that that's my dirty clothes hamper on your link. Can't wait to hear more about your project.”

“Sarge put a foam pad on the inside to form a tube and stuffed all his gear inside the foam. I can't remember if he used a hipbelt though. It looks pretty cheap to make.”

“I read you OK, Buddur. Everything goes in plastic bags of various types and sizes. Then the whole mess goes in a large trash bag inside the pack. I was laughing myself, wondering if it could do double duty. But the floor does just great collecting my dirty clothes.”

“Nowslimmer, if it doesn't work try this site. They have a pattern you can download to construct your own, or you can purchase theirs. A friend, who is a seamstress, made one and she couldn't be happier. Good luck with the project.

Another Option”

“I actually liked my external flexible synthetic framed backpack but now use an infinetely adjustible caribou daypack with huge padded hipbelt.”

“catskhiker - is this it? Desic Daypack Plus
I, too have used a daypack, a Jansport.

Geezr - Thanks for the link. Found that stuff about the Triple Crown hiking there.”

“Walmart has those heavy duty mesh bags for 7 bucks”

“Nowslimmer - cool idea, it reminds me of Lynn Wheldon's "One Pound Pack" with that meash body.

I remember you talking about that tumpline a while back. It reminds me a little of Katz from "A Walk In The Woods" when he came back to hike in Maine with a mailman's bag instead of a backpack. But the tumpline looks a little more thought out.”

“Thanks for the link.

Tumplines have been used quite a lot in the past. A google search of "tumpline" will reveal numerous sites with information on their history and use.”