Above right: North and south-bounders passing on the AT near Elk Garden, VA. Steve Peterson (on right) was section hiking a 75 mile stretch from roughly Mt. Rogers, VA to Watauga Lake, TN and stopping off for Trail Days, the annual event celebrating the AT held every May in Damascus VA - a must for backpackers. Below: The joy of backpacking in wilderness finds this group of friends high above the Linville River south of Table Rock. From left, Amy and Michael Darling, Carly Randolph, Steve Peterson, Nick Bush, Katie McCoy and Todd Bush in front.
my scrawny legs were lucky to stand me up, let alone carry me on a decent hike. What was I thinking? Now I use a 14-ounce frameless pack that can be loaded in such a way that my sleeping pad and pack contents form a rigid support. With my 8 oz. uber-light Z-Packs Hexamid cuben fiber tent and my 1-pound sleeping bag (total start weight of pack, gear, food and water around 15 pounds for summer trips), I have never enjoyed backpacking more. On a section hike of the Appalachian Trail I met a couple in their 70s (trail names: Spock and Frito) who made their own ultralight gear. Spock had this backpack that, when empty, looked like a pile of material.
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High Country Magazine
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