There are campers out there who desperately want to believe that anyone can go anywhere and do anything with no skill, training, equipment or common sense. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> The UL craze is driven by folks who read Rays stuff and BELIEVE that carrying less gear is SAFER than being prepared. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> These people lack any real experience <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />and lack the money to buy real quality gear, <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> and want to believe that they are so much smarter than those who take the time to learn or who waste money on gear. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> They are so totally naive that they ignore the benefit of experienced people who have survived in the wilderness because they had good gear and knowledge. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Why we let an inexperienced camper troll here and give them any respect at all is beyond me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />They don't want advice, they want to show you that you are stupid for thinking the wilderness is any diffeent than a walk in Central park. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

BTW this goes for people who swear you should hike barefooted, hike in Tevas off trail, leave all warm clothes at home and think Tarps are just as good as a mountaineering tent in a storm.

Can you say immature inexperienced dreamer?
Theres nothing wrong with lacking money, knowledge, or common sense as long as you don't claim that your opinion is just as good as those who do have experience. OTOH, didn't we all start off as wet behind the ears campers with inadequate equipment? Only some of us realised that was an inferior condition that should be changed as soon as possible.

Like many experienced folks here, I CAN go out with little or no gear and I DO know how to make my way in the wilderness, BUT it came from years of experince while carrying the right gear and I would do it as a fun exercise not because I think its smart to travel with little gear and I certainly would not suggest it to a newbie.
just my $.02
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These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.