Old military alice pack and web gear for backpacking

[mcplkelly]

I was thinking about using an old military alice rucksack and the old alice web gear for several short hiking trips untill I have gained enough time in when I can go on an extremly long hike through northern Canada. I have also thought about using my dads old army bdus. Sense he was mostly posted on base, he had very little to do with field work and is unable to help with my questions.
Is there anyone out there who can tell me how to pack a military ruck? Looking for any tips and also looking at how everything goes in the ruck. As if all your gear is dumped on the floor beside your ruck, what goes in by first, where it goes, and how is it placed in the ruck? How is the web gear put together and what is placed in it? What was carried on your person and what was carried in what pocket? And, something my dad diffantly can not help with no matter what, where do you pack your sports bras and personel hygen items? Whats better pads or tampons for hiking?

[Tipi Walter]

There's two ways to wear an ALICE pack, either with or without the frame. I loved wearing the Alice frameless since the beefy shoulder straps were well padded and I could haul the thing thru brush and blowdowns. Biggest limitation is on weight or hauling capacity. Throw about 40-50 pounds in a frameless Alice and you'll understand the term "pumping nylon." Can anyone say swollen hands and neck headaches?

The Alice frame is a haphazard thing, suitable for some and crazy for others. Usually the hipbelt on an Alice is very high, even above the navel, as the whole torso length in an Alice is skewered. Don't ask me why. But even with the frame there's only so much you can stuff in this pack, and if you plan pulling a 15 day winter trip with one, be prepared to look like a travelling pot and pan salesman guiding an overladen ox-cart. But for dayhikes and for one or two nights, the Alice is a near perfect pack.

[KG4FAM]

Ok, so this is such a bad idea that I am going to ignore the fact that this is the woman's forum.

Around July 1st this year there were four people that showed up in Maine to start a SOBO thru hike with for the most part all military gear. None of them made it to Monson. Two of the boys were carrying a couple of packs of cheese crackers in their 5-10 lb web gear made for hauling heavy bullets.

Don't touch this stuff, you are better off outfitting yourself at Wal-Mart.

The only item I can think of that is of any value is the field jacket/pants liner.

[Tipi Walter]

For years all I ever wore was the old 107 OG blouse with the slanted pockets. It made me look "gungy" and serious, and for some reason I took to it. Wearing military clothing while backpacking can stir the old inner drill sergeant, the strong inner voice who yells, "Camp here! Keep moving! Don't let the rain stop ya! Put up the tent now!" I hope every backpacker has this voice going inside them, at least once in a while. Especially the young ones.

And I agree with 33 whiskey, forget the web gear.

[Footslogger]

I was thinking about using an old military alice rucksack and the old alice web gear for several short hiking trips untill I have gained enough time in when I can go on an extremly long hike through northern Canada. I have also thought about using my dads old army bdus. Sense he was mostly posted on base, he had very little to do with field work and is unable to help with my questions.
Is there anyone out there who can tell me how to pack a military ruck? Looking for any tips and also looking at how everything goes in the ruck. As if all your gear is dumped on the floor beside your ruck, what goes in by first, where it goes, and how is it placed in the ruck? How is the web gear put together and what is placed in it? What was carried on your person and what was carried in what pocket? And, something my dad diffantly can not help with no matter what, where do you pack your sports bras and personel hygen items? Whats better pads or tampons for hiking?

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Let me know if you decide to go the ALICE route. I have one, complete with frame and extra padding, that I don't use any more and would be willing to part with.

'Slogger

[JAK]

I really enjoyed the heavy pack and web gear we used when I did my basic training in Chilliwack BC, but I was alot lighter then. That experience, plus alot of time in snow and the woods as a kid, got me to get back into backpacking later, and keep it up more or less, though not as much as some. I did make the common mistake of getting an overweight overpriced civy backpack though. Twice. I did it when I was still in the military, and was young and lean enough to not learn at the time, but again later when I was 40 years old and 40 pounds overweight. At this age and weight you learn to look for alternatives. I'm guessing you are still young and fit enough that anything will do. There are now many excellent good choices in the 20oz 3100ci $100 range, though not as most outfitters or surplus stores. When you get around to doing your big trip in Northern BC you will probably want something bigger and stronger, but still lighter than most. You are on the right track to try out stuff cheap on shorter hikes and learn as much as you can for yourself before you undertake your big trip. Thats sounds like quite the dream.

Make it so.

[JAK]

I hope my daughter has such plans when she turns 18. Geez that's only 9 more years away. Gotta get her out more often, while I still have some influence. Anyhow, sorry to invade your thread, and good on ya.

[senache]

I'd google "Ruck Sack Paralysis" if I were you. I humped one in the service for a lot of klicks and suffered enough. It just wasn't well designed.

[bigcranky]

I too am going to ignore the women's forum thing to comment on this. Please excuse the interruption.

Having humped an ALICE pack for six years, I have to say this is a pretty bad idea. The pack is very heavy for the capacity, and only comfortable when empty. I know you can get them for cheap, or maybe you already have one, but please try it out with a load before heading to the backcountry.

[Tipi Walter]

The pack is very heavy for the capacity, and only comfortable when empty.

Only comfortable when empty. . . That's about right. Walmart tents should have a tag that says, "Never Use" or "Not Suitable For Outdoor Use."