How many BPL members have you met?

[Ken Thompson]

With G.G.G.s right around the corner I've been thinking about how many BPLrs I've actually met through the years. And what a great group they have been too.

Since backpacking is taken up by only a small percentage of folks, and UL packing folk are a still much smaller group, how many of you have actually met another member?

Since doing the G.G.G.s I've been lucky enough to meet about a hundred of you. Amazingly enough when you get a group together they all play well with each other for the most part. An activity that bridges all kinds of socioeconomic gaps.

Good on you.

Seek others. It's worth it.

[Stephen M]

On this side of the pond I have met two Ken, one for a trip in Michigan and and another for two trips in the Rockies.
Not bad going because I have only been in the US since Febuary and was back in Europe working or on leave for two of those months.

In the UK I have met a couple but at Outdoorsmagic meets but they post here regularly.

[Dena Kelley]

None, yet. UL isn't a big movement in Alaska yet and have only noted one other BPL member from Alaska so far. But mostly I'm here to learn so that I can take what I learn here and put it into practice so I can enjoy hiking/backpacking more with all my friends whether they are focusing on UL or not.

[HkNewman]

About 6 fairly current members/posters and 2 who were active members years ago. 1 pooch.

[Eugene Smith]

I think the count is at 12 for me (Grand Canyon R2R2R run and Pecos Wilderness group trips '11 and'12), including HK Newman, who I randomly ran up to (literally) on a trail run a few weeks ago. I want to meet more of you in person and I'm pretty sure I will over time.

[rowan !]

None, so far. But that will change on Friday!

[Don A.]

Hey Rowan–unless it's just an extreme coincidence you met a BPL member in 2010 on a trip to Willet Hot Springs in the Los Padres NF. Me. We were hiking with Ray Estrella amongst others though I don't know if he was with BPL at that time. Sometimes us BPL people like to remain anonymous but show by example.

[Andrew Wolff]

I can come up with at least six people that i've met who are or have been members or posters here, maybe there's more. Do wish i could make it to the GGG or one of the big group runs or trips to meet more of you… Maybe one day.

[d k]

Thanks to the Kens, I've met many members at the GGGs. I've only met one on my own, when I went to pick up an order of bio-ethanol from Harald nearby.

[Ken Thompson]

DK not only has met a bunch, but fed them delicious brownies as well. Twice.

[Mark Ries]

Seven with only one random meeting on the trail that I know of (Andrew Wolff). One I met here and caught a ride out west to the winds with (Jen Mitol). The rest I met at THE UPPER MIDWEST GGG last may which is about to happen again on the weekend of oct 26,27&28 In which anyone interested in light or ultralight backpacking is welcome to attend

[rowan !]

Don Amundson says:
"Hey Rowan–unless it's just an extreme coincidence you met a BPL member in 2010 on a trip to Willet Hot Springs in the Los Padres NF. Me. We were hiking with Ray Estrella amongst others…"

Oh, hi, Don! You're absolutely right, we have met. I didn't realize you were on here. And I forgot about Ray, since I didn't meet him through BPL. So I guess that makes two members I've met.

[John S.]

I've met about 3 BPLer's.

[Justin Baker]

Has anyone ever been hiking down a trail, seen somebody with a cuben fiber pack (or any ultralight gear) and found that person to be a BPL member?

[Ken Thompson]

"Has anyone ever been hiking down a trail, seen somebody with a cuben fiber pack (or any ultralight gear) and found that person to be a BPL member?"

Yes. Josh and I ran into someone at Point Reyes. I ran into a couple of people at Henry Coe that were there the same weekend as the GGG and were not aware of it taking place.

[David Thomas]

Having hopped on a plane? About 10 at the Grand Canyon R2R2R.

Around town or on the local trails? None. Dena is, I think, the closest in Alaska. Which is akin to being in NYC and the nearest BPLer being in Boston (if, you know, all the people were spruce trees and mountains).

[Steven Paris]

Douglas Ide and I spent 7 long years together in a small dank Turkish prison cell.

The only thing that got us through it was long talks about CLO, cuben fiber, global warming and U.S. presidential politics.

[Author]

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