Anal Rant, Poles, and Blogs

[ftapon]

I'm glad that many of you enjoyed my rant on anal backpacking!

A few of you said, "Yeah, but I'm still keeping my trekking poles."

In case it wasn't clear in it, I'm not advocating that hikers give up their trekking poles. As I'm fond of saying, hike your own hike.

I specifically write that poles have made backpacking accessible to some who couldn't do it without them, and that's a great thing. Whether poles empower hikers through the technology or through the placebo effect is not that important. What's important is that it helps gets some folks into the woods!

I was simply pointing out that poles are a burden, just like any piece of gear. Most hikers don't include it in their pack weight and so they're underestimating how much they are really carrying.

For those who want the lightest poles around, check out the Lightreks from Gossamer Gear. At 2.5 ounces each, it's hard to beat. The 2007 model is lighter and stronger than the previous model (but more expensive).

I'm glad that some have enjoyed following my blogs. I hope to update my web page by Dec 2007. I hope to do a book tour in late 2008 and I hope to hit Arizona (and many other states). See you then!

Happy trails,
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- Francis Tapon
Author of "Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America"
http://FrancisTapon.com

[Suz]

Hi!
Welcome to the site!

[ftapon]

I'm such a freshman! I should have posted this under the "CDT Yo Yo" thread, but accidently created a new thread.

Sorry!
_________________
- Francis Tapon
Author of "Hike Your Own Hike: 7 Life Lessons from Backpacking Across America"
http://FrancisTapon.com

[desertgirl]

Great trip ...hope to catch you in AZ zometime!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!