My initial “backpacking” experience was probably unique. I had a packing list that included everything to include a towel and a wash cloth. I was a good Soldier and everything was crammed into my ruck including canned food.

Instead of being dropped off at a trail head we jumped out of a C130 into an unimproved drop zone in the Florida panhandle. Including my weapon, my kit weighed almost as much as I did.

I learned a lot over the next couple of years serving at Fort Bragg. The next time I packed I left it the washcloth, time after that I cut my towel in half!

I learned the hard way that “ounces made pounds and pounds made pain.  I’ve carried that lesson into my hobby of making knife sheaths and other tactical equipment and I strive for economy in both cost and weight.