Packs From 1985 [Archive]

Tipi Walter

09-30-2015, 12:21

You guys may be interested in checking out these packs from a scouting trip into the Cohutta wilderness of Georgia in 1985. Externals ruled! Esp Jansports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pF9NOeZZrZ8

The Solemates

09-30-2015, 12:35

i had one!

Tipi Walter

09-30-2015, 12:46

i had one!

So did Peter Jenkins on his Walk Across America circa 1973. See---

https://peterjenkinsblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/backpack.jpg?w=490&h=653
Picture from---

https://peterjenkinsblog.wordpress.com/category/walk-across-america/

Odd Man Out

09-30-2015, 12:50

Last month I went hiking with a friend who is very old school when it comes to backpacking. He is still using his 1970's vintage pack, seen here from a picture I took of our campsite the first night.

32164

Ewker

09-30-2015, 13:14

cool video Tipi

rocketsocks

09-30-2015, 13:21

Thank you Walter, had not seen this before, and am enjoying reading though this.

rocketsocks

09-30-2015, 13:26

Indecently l, sounds like that old TV's cathode ray gun needs insolation, it's archin' horribly.

SouthMark

09-30-2015, 13:37

I wish I had my old Colin Fletcher Trailwise.

TJ aka Teej

09-30-2015, 14:51

I miss my red, white, and blue bicentennial edition external frame.
Shame too, that all these people in the video perished after becoming lost due to wearing cotton and not having GPS.

rafe

09-30-2015, 15:59

On a day hike up Franconia Ridge, maybe 1975 or 76 or so. That's my pack purchased a few years earlier, worn by a fellow whose name I've long forgotten. The pack is covered with patches from various countries in Europe.

Slo-go'en

09-30-2015, 16:15

Blue jeans and flannel shirt. The good ol days :)

donthaveoneyet

09-30-2015, 17:38

I wish I had my old Colin Fletcher Trailwise.

Me, too. I loved that pack and it served me well for many years (although it was more like 1975 when I got it). Not sure where it ended up. I bought a Kelty Trekker a few years ago, out of nostalgia for the old style. Well made pack, but I couldn't really deal with it bouncing around on my back. :( I still have it. It comes in handy for when I pack in with the family and need to carry 175 pounds of luxury items.

I only learned years later that Fletcher used a Trailwise. Never heard of him back then.

Venchka

09-30-2015, 18:45

Here is a link to a very good history of backpacking.

http://www.outdoorinov8.com/compass.html

Enjoy!

Wayne

donthaveoneyet

09-30-2015, 19:09

Here is a link to a very good history of backpacking.

http://www.outdoorinov8.com/compass.html

Enjoy!

Wayne

Wow, cool link, thanks. Fascinating to note the age of some companies - eg, Trangia, Optimus, Helly Hansen, Eureka, even Sierra Designs earlier than I thought. Oddly, missing is Trailwise and even LL Bean.

Funny little anecdote (well, to me anyway). I recently had to call REI for something, and I noted to the very nice CS person on the phone, "I've been a member of REI since the beginning of time." She responded, cutely but with a measure of sarcasm, "Well, we've been around since 1938, so not sure about that beginning of time thing." I had to laugh.

Moss Tents... wow. Whatever happened to them? That was a cool operation, as I recall (in my foggy old age mind)...

Kaptainkriz

09-30-2015, 19:18

I just updated my Kelty:
32167

rickb

09-30-2015, 19:23

Here is a link to a very good history of backpacking.

http://www.outdoorinov8.com/compass.html

Enjoy!

Wayne

Holly crap!

That is great.

rocketsocks

09-30-2015, 19:33

Here is a link to a very good history of backpacking.

http://www.outdoorinov8.com/compass.html

Enjoy!

Wayne

Holly crap!

That is great.
Yup, very nice, thanks Wayne, look forward to perusing this site.

Tipi Walter also posted something a couple years ago about gear over the years, (tents, or packs) but I can't seem to find it just now...really neat site it was.

Tipi Walter

09-30-2015, 19:35

Here it is---

http://www.oregonphotos.com/Backpacking-Revolution1.html

gbolt

09-30-2015, 19:48

Just this year I replaced an REi Wonderland Trekker (no Stores, only online) from 1981 with a ULA Ohm 2.0. The Trekker is Kin to the Kelty! The first thing I missed was the external frames creaking noise by my ear; as the straps pulled on the grommets. Thought I would love NOT hearing that and instead find it difficult to get into the "Meditation Zone" of a hike. If it wasn't for the 7lbs starting weight, I would go back to it. Those day's have some very sentimental memories for many of us.

Venchka

09-30-2015, 20:44

My backpacking antiques, bought in the mid-70's and still functioning today:
REI Summerlite bag
SVEA 123 Stove & SIGG Tourist cookset.
Hi-Lift short air mattress
Jensen pack
North Cape socks
Silva compass
Alas, my North Face tent bit the dust.

Wayne

Sent from somewhere around here.

Venchka

09-30-2015, 20:51

Miss Tents: Bought and killed by MSR.
Dana Design & Garuda tents: Bought and killed by K2 Skis.
GGGRRRRRR!!!!!!

Wayne

Sent from somewhere around here.

Venchka

09-30-2015, 20:53

MOSS. Stupid iPhone.

Wayne

Sent from somewhere around here.

hobby

09-30-2015, 21:14

rafe

09-30-2015, 21:34

thanks Walter---always enjoy your posts and trip reports
I have my original BSA issue Yuccka in the basement----along with enough "outdated" gear to supply several scout troops!
Miss my Camp Trails external---stolen Loved the sqeeks and it could carry a load

I still have the frame for my Camp Trails "Adjustable II." Not sure about the pack itself, I may have tossed it. The squeaking drove me crazy at times. The shoulder strap grommets were constantly threatening to pull out. Got a lot of miles on it, but don't miss it too much any more.

The only piece of gear I still use from the old days is my OR "Seattle Sombrero."

russb

09-30-2015, 22:46

I still have my bright yellow, WFS Mt Blanc external. Has a hinged shelf. Great canoeing pack.

rocketsocks

09-30-2015, 22:48

Here it is---

http://www.oregonphotos.com/Backpacking-Revolution1.htmlThat's the one...bookmark! Thanks Walter.

The Cleaner

10-01-2015, 09:04

Here's a 1990 pack similar to my 1st one bought in 1980.It was taken out of service with a cracked frame weld after going almost 4000 miles.The newer one has a floating cris-cross suspension3216832169 suspension system.I started using it again after trying 3 different internal frame packs.Made my back problems a bit better as you can pack and access items easier.

John B

10-01-2015, 09:14

I still have my bright yellow, WFS Mt Blanc external. Has a hinged shelf. Great canoeing pack.

My very first pack was a bright yellow Eureka, external frame, with aluminum stays to push out the top shelf into an almost perfect box shape. It sounds a lot like yours. Thinking back on it, I have no idea what useful purpose that served other than making the pack look ultra cool. I got it in the late 70s?/early 80s?. I think that I paid about $40, which was a pricey pack back then.

SWODaddy

10-01-2015, 09:17

I have fond memories of bungie cording everything to my pack....

Tipi Walter

10-01-2015, 09:50

I have my original BSA issue Yuccka in the basement----

I started out with a canvas Yucca pack. Here I am with my Yucca preparing for a trip in 1963---Wichita Falls, TX.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kcjR43AJlWw/TIJy62ZxmKI/AAAAAAAAA6U/kns8xhkM5pw/s491-Ic42/1963.jpg

Casey & Gina

10-01-2015, 13:27

Funkmeister

10-01-2015, 13:53

In about 1981 my first internal frame pack was made by the Dolt company. I used it when I hitchhiked across the northern US and Canada. It's long gone, but I still have a Dolt fanny pack. Made long before the advent of Fastex buckles, both sported a gigantic metal buckle.

Does anyone remember the Frostline kits? Some people should be forbidden to touch sewing machines, and halfway thru my first try--a pair of Polarguard booties--I discovered I was one of those people.

russb

10-01-2015, 15:59

My very first pack was a bright yellow Eureka, external frame, with aluminum stays to push out the top shelf into an almost perfect box shape. It sounds a lot like yours. Thinking back on it, I have no idea what useful purpose that served other than making the pack look ultra cool. I got it in the late 70s?/early 80s?. I think that I paid about $40, which was a pricey pack back then.

Mine also has the small aluminum rods which "open" the top compartment to be box like. Will post a photo when I get home.

soilman

10-01-2015, 16:03

I used a REI pack on my 1976 ME-VA hike. My brother used a Kelty. I upgraded to a JanSport the following year. Still have the JanSport. Sold the REI at a yard sale just this spring.3217032171

donthaveoneyet

10-01-2015, 16:15

"My beeper went off! See you guys later!" LOL!

I came across some modern external frame packs yesterday, got me curious as to how they compare to internal frames...
http://www.vargooutdoors.com/backpacks.html

2 lb 6 oz for the reasonable-looking one, or under 2 pounds for the cuben fiber one. Seeing cuben fiber on an external frame just cracks me up...

Fascinating. I stopped using my external frame Trekker mainly for the weight. Now that I've gotten used to a light, internal frame pack... I learn about these. Story of my life...always a day late and dollar short.

Cadenza

10-01-2015, 16:59

I still have my Boy Scout Yucca from 1965.

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff143/61panhead/Camping/BoyScout_age10.jpg (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/61panhead/media/Camping/BoyScout_age10.jpg.html)