moberg12 said:
Yes there are better ways to start a fire, but none as light as cotton balls!! When I'm hiking I'm upset if I have 25lbs on my back fully loaded with water. That tarp is actually pretty heavy vs. new lightweight tents.
Sorry about the blister, stop wearing boots!! A pound on the feet is five in the pack
I carry some luxuries. The heaviest is my 5 pound e-tool. Serves multiple purposes; fire shovel, tent stake hammer/extractor, cat hole digger, and the number one use, chair for taking care of business over that cathole. On day three it becomes a source of income. $5 per use as a chair. :mrgreen:
Sure there are light weight tents and lighter materials to use, however most dont have the space, are 100 times the cost, and/or limited to one configuration. I can walk into just about any store and buy a new tent for $5-$10.
Gave up the waffle stompers and black cadilacs decades ago. I wear light hikers, trail shoes. I always get blisters, its the way I walk, bowlegged. Outside of the heel strikes the deck first and I roll on through to push off with the big toe. Tried everything, powder, vasoline, nylons socks, two pair of socks, inserts, etc. Blisters are no big deal. Pop em and move on, sure it takes about 5 minutes to get up to speed and the pain to subside. But its only mind of matter. I dont mind and it dont matter.
Been backpacking since 1981. Put over 3,000 miles on the trail while in the marine corp. 50+ miles during the week, culminating with a 25miler on Friday morning and back in time for lunch. My goal is 35 pounds for a week, includes food. I plan my route to resupply water every day, preferable at night. I like ot camp near water at night. A swim to wash of the slima nd grime always revigorates the body, and keeps my sleeping bag clean.
:mrgreen: