Dare I say it?

Many of us who post here have what is known as "pride of ownership" in our gear, whether it is hommade, home-modified or high quality gear purchased with hard-earned coin.

So yes, I can say that all of us go outdoors for the experience of nature that the trip brings us. But most of us also have pride of ownership when our tent or tarp protects us in an all night storm, when our chosen pack rides comfortably morning to afternoon and when our stove works well and cooks us a good meal at the end of a weary day's hike.

All of these "material things" have usually come from hard-won experience and constant tinkering with equipment to make camp and trail life more comfortable and safer. It is that very tinkering, "upgrading", exchanging ideas and info. on gear, recipies and trails that creates anticipation of the next backpacking trip and that sustains our interest between trips.

And let's not forget the large and mostly small companies whose research and innovation has given us superb equipment to enjoy our hobby. They learned from their outdoor experience too and passed their learning on in the form of ever better gear.

So as we continue to enjoy our hobby and learn to be better backpackers let's pass on what weve learned to friends and to the younger kids who need our guidance. And let's always do it in the spirit of friendly mentoring.

Eric