My GF is UL….well, getting there.

Its always best if one learns something on their own One of my GFs loved that book it didnt do alot for me How to Sh=t in the woods by Kathlene Meyers I believe. Its been a long time since I read it though and veiws nmay conflict with UL principles

Nice! It's good to have a partner who's willing to take a trip with you from time-to-time. I ran into a group of three guys about a month ago, and one of the guys was talking about how much his gf disapproved of their trip. I wish I had written down what he said, because it has hilarious.

It's no accident that my GF loves backpacking and hiking. She's not UL, but she loves using tarps and is pretty open to new ideas. Actually, I literally just got home from buying her a new Marmot Crystalline jacket (6oz). I'm giving it to her tomorrow, which will mark two years together. And then we're going for a day hike.

http://marmot.com/products/wms_crystalline_jacket

Does your GF like doing day hikes? Is it just the overnight trips that have been limited?

My wife's idea of roughing it is having to run an extension cord for the hair dryer. So until they come up with a 5-mile extension cord, it's just going to be me and the kids. Even then, the trips will be limited to out-and-backs so I can roll the cord back up!

The reason behind no cord locks/drawstrings in kid clothing is that it is considered a choking hazard.

Looks like you have a winner Tommy

Ken…sounds about right, haha.

Sarah, good call.

I forgot to mention this jacket was $~55 s. $~100 for the adult version.

Not light, like the Crystalline, but it would turn into her "walk the dog jacket" if she really got into it and we wanted to buy something lighter.

One piece of advice….guys really get into stuff gung-ho. Women sometimes will be on the fence. You don't have to go scary UL at first. A few extra lbs of comfort won't kill you – or her. So if you do get her to go…if she wants 3 pairs of undies and a 15* bag she can move in, let her. As with anyone they often learn by experiencing. After say 5 trips she will see the virtues of going light.

And never, ever take a citified girl who isn't keen on doing #2 in the wilds if she is having her period – because that is even harder to deal with for an inexperienced backpacker. You can nearly guarantee you will never get her to go. When she is an experienced hiker that is a whole different game.

On the #2 issue….why not pick a trail that has nice composting toilets in camp? Or at least a privy – and yep, you bring TP. The good stuff. None of that nasty Gov't quality paper tissue ;-)

>> One piece of advice….guys really get into stuff gung-ho. Women sometimes will be on the fence. You don't have to go scary UL at first. A few extra lbs of comfort won't kill you – or her.

Until they come up with a packable generator or lightweight solar unit big enough to run the air conditioner, I think it's just me and the kids.

>> So if you do get her to go…if she wants 3 pairs of undies and a 15* bag she can move in, let her. As with anyone they often learn by experiencing. After say 5 trips she will see the virtues of going light.

Her SUL trekking is actually lighter than mine… She starts with the clothes she has on and a 6 gram Visa card. Unfortunately, she's very good at it.

>> And never, ever take a citified girl who isn't keen on doing #2 in the wilds if she is having her period

Yeah. Because that's when I want to spend a long weekend with her and no distractions or options to get away!

Smart man Ken is on that last one ;-)

You just may loose your "precious quiet alone/away time" if you don't play this one right..