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#150323 - 05/15/11 04:21 AM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: jwild]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
I get your quite valid point, but snake bite kits and venom extractors are considered to be worse than useless and are not currently recommended.

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#150337 - 05/15/11 11:59 AM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: oldranger]
jwild Offline
member

Registered: 05/07/11
Posts: 85
Originally Posted By oldranger
I get your quite valid point, but snake bite kits and venom extractors are considered to be worse than useless and are not currently recommended.


yeah I have heard the same thing and do not actually carry one myself.
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“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”

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#150353 - 05/15/11 06:16 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: jwild]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
Yeah, it's all fun and games until everybody's out of TP. smile

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#150392 - 05/16/11 11:39 AM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: Glenn]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
Originally Posted By Glenn
Yeah, it's all fun and games until everybody's out of TP. smile


I still carry TP, but use water most of the time. Cleaner and nothing to carry out. Running out of TP is no big deal.

My current 15 pound base weight kit is safer, has more repair options and will keep me comfortable to lower temperature than my old 35 pound base weight. I sleep better and eat better.

I do not agree that I have sacrificed safety or comfort.



Edited by ringtail (05/16/11 11:39 AM)
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

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#150403 - 05/16/11 02:00 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: oldranger]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Originally Posted By oldranger
I get your quite valid point, but snake bite kits and venom extractors are considered to be worse than useless and are not currently recommended.


Fun reading for anyone interested.
Snake Bite
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

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#150409 - 05/16/11 04:23 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: ringtail]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
I agree with you - it's not a sacrifice of safety or comfort. The situation seemed to call for a little humor, and that was about as little as I could provide. smile

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#150413 - 05/16/11 05:47 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: Glenn]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
I thought your post was humerous and a good analogy.

I was going for the shock value. People tease about cutting off toothpaste handles, but it exceeds their imagination that we are serious about no TP.
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

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#150444 - 05/17/11 04:39 AM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: finallyME]
jwild Offline
member

Registered: 05/07/11
Posts: 85
Originally Posted By finallyME
Originally Posted By oldranger
I get your quite valid point, but snake bite kits and venom extractors are considered to be worse than useless and are not currently recommended.


Fun reading for anyone interested.
Snake Bite


thanks for the info grin
_________________________
“Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.”

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#150641 - 05/22/11 01:48 AM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: ringtail]
MTvagabond Offline
member

Registered: 03/30/11
Posts: 43
Loc: Western Montana
Originally Posted By ringtail
I thought your post was humerous and a good analogy.

I was going for the shock value. People tease about cutting off toothpaste handles, but it exceeds their imagination that we are serious about no TP.


I'm curious who you are referring to as "WE" here? Is this meant to apply to those who would consider themselves ultralight packers? Even though I have not, nor will I ever in all likelihood, consider myself in this rank, I'm not really sure I'd want to go without TP. I could make do, if needed, but I don't see how leaving the TP at home accomplishes anything more than creating an unsanitary inconvenience.
_________________________
...then we might find something that we weren't looking for, which might be just what we were looking for, really. - Milne

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#150667 - 05/23/11 12:20 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: MTvagabond]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
Originally Posted By MTvagabond
Even though I have not, nor will I ever in all likelihood, consider myself in this rank, I'm not really sure I'd want to go without TP. I could make do, if needed, but I don't see how leaving the TP at home accomplishes anything more than creating an unsanitary inconvenience.


In the world today there are more people that use water than use TP. I consider it more sanitary than TP.

I still carry TP and if I am in a hurry or running short of water I use it, but water is better. crazy
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

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#150670 - 05/23/11 01:14 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: ringtail]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

And snow is fantastic.. and refreshing..

I think a snowball is nature's perfect tp
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#150675 - 05/23/11 03:10 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: ringtail]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
Originally Posted By ringtail
Originally Posted By MTvagabond
Even though I have not, nor will I ever in all likelihood, consider myself in this rank, I'm not really sure I'd want to go without TP. I could make do, if needed, but I don't see how leaving the TP at home accomplishes anything more than creating an unsanitary inconvenience.


In the world today there are more people that use water than use TP. I consider it more sanitary than TP.

I still carry TP and if I am in a hurry or running short of water I use it, but water is better. crazy


I forgot TP on a trip a few months ago, and have never managed to put the baggie back in the kit. Somehow sh%$ happens anyway and I am still healthy and hiking.

Probably because I wash my hands regardless. And allot myself a small bottle of sanitizer, which also has the additional purpose of taking tree sap off gear.
_________________________
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

http://hikeandbackpack.com

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#150678 - 05/23/11 03:34 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: phat]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
"I think a snowball is nature's perfect tp"

Yeah, and a used snowball would be the snowball-fight equivalent of a "dirty bomb"!

Sorry. grin

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#150692 - 05/23/11 08:13 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: phat]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
Actually a snowball (packed snow) is much too hard, just a hand full will do and it cools as it cleans, but it does melt when it contacts warmth...
Jim
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.

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#150699 - 05/23/11 10:51 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: Glenn]
GDeadphans Offline
member

Registered: 12/26/08
Posts: 382
Loc: Maine/New Jersey
dirty bomb hahahaha
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"To me, hammocking is relaxing, laying, swaying. A steady slow morphine drip without the risk of renal failure." - Dale Gribbel

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#150700 - 05/23/11 11:17 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: ringtail]
MTvagabond Offline
member

Registered: 03/30/11
Posts: 43
Loc: Western Montana
I'll have to think about it. Not that I'm against leaving the TP at home just to try it, I'm almost sure I'd never sell my wife on the idea---(she has Ulcerative Colitis, and her morning routine is really more of a solemn ritual that I don't dare ask her to alter too much). I guess if I can make it work myself, it would be easier to ask her to try it.
_________________________
...then we might find something that we weren't looking for, which might be just what we were looking for, really. - Milne

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#150721 - 05/24/11 11:00 AM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: Glenn]
finallyME Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Remember, never ever eat yellow....or brown snow.
_________________________
I've taken a vow of poverty. To annoy me, send money.

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#150731 - 05/24/11 01:21 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: finallyME]
Glenn Offline
member

Registered: 03/08/06
Posts: 2617
Loc: Ohio
So, you're saying there's no such thing as a chocolate snowball, regardless of what Phat tries to tell you? smile

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#150733 - 05/24/11 01:59 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: ringtail]
billstephenson Offline
Moderator

Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
Originally Posted By ringtail
People tease about cutting off toothpaste handles, but it exceeds their imagination that we are serious about no TP.

--

I still carry TP and if I am in a hurry or running short of water I use it, but water is better.



I'm apparently not creative enough to imagine how you accomplish this without making a mess, and a bit leery to ask for details frown

We have a plant here that has thick, fuzzy, wide leaves, and is very common. I admit to using that when I've found the rare need, but I'll pack TP, and plenty of it, until I better understand this water method.

phat, as far as snow goes, "Refreshing" is not what I'd call a hand full of snow used for that purpose. Even George Costanza would have a whole new level of concern for "Shrinkage" with that one laugh
_________________________
--

"You want to go where?"



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#150742 - 05/24/11 03:21 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: billstephenson]
oldranger Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 1735
Loc: California (southern)
"Stimulating? Invigorating?..."

Snow definitely gets the job done.

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#150748 - 05/24/11 04:16 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: oldranger]
ringtail Offline
member

Registered: 08/22/02
Posts: 2296
Loc: Colorado Rockies
I do not want to be kinky, but snow is the best.

WARNING: Keep your weight over your skis and do not lean too far back. I will not discuss how I know not to lean too far back. cry cry
_________________________
"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are not."
Yogi Berra

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#155002 - 09/22/11 08:17 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: TomD]
twinmike Offline
member

Registered: 03/25/11
Posts: 43
Loc: Holbrook, AZ.
sleeping in the cold snow is not the worst part, its the getting out of the warm bag to take a pee in the morning, oooowe! now thats cold and keep in mind that snow helps keep you warm, its the getting wet. And that TV show he had three other people with supplies and cameras
_________________________
Many reach for distant shores only to run to the safest harbor.

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#155210 - 09/28/11 07:33 PM Re: Recent observation of Light backpackers [Re: wandering_daisy]
rm56 Offline
member

Registered: 06/12/11
Posts: 60
Loc: Northern CA, Placer co.
Although I'm not ultra light I have improved. I confess I'm a gadget geek, I'm also an old Army ground pounder so I know a bit about going out. Back in the 80s I packpacked Desolation with a Dana pack at around 40pounds just for a weekend. Now I have newer gear, I picked up one of the tarp tents, a Rainshadow 3 person for me and my family that weights 2.65 pounds. I weighed my pack for a weekend to Yosemite and mine was 24 pounds. I have seen the ultra light packs, I have a North Face Terra 65 which does seem heavy to me. But I could lighten my load by leaving some comforts at home. I'm 55 and I like comforts, I also carry a serious first aide/survival kit that I put together. It came in handy when my boy fell and skinned up his knees. I also like to help folks in need..I look at it as Karma. Once in Desolation I had a bad headache, I barely slept that night. Next day a young lady camping near by gave me some Tylenol. Since then I take a just in case kit, and when I'm in the boon docks I share with people in need. Good way to make friends IMO.

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