Stop asking permission to be happy

[Ian]

I've debated writing something on this very topic only to find that Guthook took the words out of my mouth and there's really nothing more I can add. By all means, look for the lightest alternative available but if you enjoy it, stop asking for permission to be happy and just bring it.

http://gossamergear.com/wp/tips/acceptable-pack-weights

[Stephen M]

My sentiments exactly.

[Justin Baker]

I agree. There are certain weight adding items that make things more fun. Some people like cooking and carry fresh food/heavier cookware. Some people like photography and carry heavy camera equipment. Some people enjoy fishing and take fishing gear. Not taking these items to fit some kind of weight requirement is beyond silly.

[Ian]

There are two sides to this coin and both of them bewilder me.

The first side, you're an adult. You don't need my permission to take a camp chair although if you post your gear list and are asking the BPL membership for areas where you can save weight, well duh.

The other side, it's none of my business how you enjoy your wilderness experience so long as you don't unreasonably impose on me. Emphasis on unreasonable. You want to watch Gilmore Girls on your ipad in your shelter at night? None of my damn business and it's not the place of anyone to scold you for doing so.

[Valerie E]

Heck YEAH!!!! That's why I never post my gear lists – I know what I want, and I don't need to be told NOT to bring it. Oh, and I carry it myself, with very little complaining… :^)

Although…watching the Gilmore Girls might be crossing the line…

[Ian]

"Although…watching the Gilmore Girls might be crossing the line…"

STOP JUDGING ME!!!!!

ahem

I mean, yeah totally. That's so lame. Totally. Yeah… that's what I meant.

[Mobile Calculator]

…

[Ian]

Well said

[Mitchell Ebbott]

Big knives come to mind as something that gets a lot of flack around here. I often see people being told that that they don't need anything bigger than a razorblade or at most a little penknife for backpacking. That's true, it's valuable advice because nobody should pack a Mora out of a sense of obligation to their safety.

But knives are fun, and my wife doesn't like it when I use my machete in the apartment. Sometimes it's more enjoyable to get a little bushcrafty, and if that requires a little extra weight in my pack it's worth it to me.

[Marko Botsaris]

1 milli-giggle = 0.03 gm

1 deca-chortle = 1/3 oz

Euphoria = 0.0023 lbs/hour.

[Gerald L]

Dang it, just one more voice of reason persuading me to bring along the trekker chair I have been trying to talk myself out of.

[Virginia Craft]

Thanks for posting this, Ian!

+a million

[Ken Thompson]

This is BPL after all.
Decision Making and a Light Pack

Guthook's base weight is between 8-11 pounds. Many have a ways to go to get there, if they ever do. Adding things in at that weight if watched carefully still won't make you feel like you are hauling instead of hiking.

[Author]

Posts