This fellow was WAY beyond the most "homeless" looking backpacker I have met.

This shows the regional differences in backpacking. Here in the Sierra most backpackers look like that advertisement for the latest "in" gear. Women, in particular, look like models, clean, hair blowing in the wind, color coordinated, lots of skin showing, tight form fitting clothes to show off their youthful fit bodies. Perfect skin. We have a very youthful backpacking demographic, lots to do with the popularity of the PCT. A LOT of UL backpackers and extreme hikers. Here, I am the one that looks like the homeless!

I am part of a forum on the Sierra. Two members just posted a trip- 38 miles over several high passes, in late October, a few days ago, left at 5AM, over gnarly x-country 11000+ pass, down to PCT,up to 11,000+, down 3000 feet, up again over 11,000, down to trailhead, ONE DAY HIKE, out at midnight, 7 hours traveling in the dark!!! A lot of extreme athletes in these parts.