View Full Version : 1976 Red White Blue backpack photo?
Johnny Swank
01-05-2009, 16:50
I'm trying to track down a picture that was in Backpacker ages ago. The picture was taken around 1976, with a dude in tennis shoes (maybe waffle-stompers) carrying a red, white, and blue external frame backpack (Kelty Super Tioga?) Was in the stars and stripes motiff. :)
I've googled this for an hour already with no luck. Any ideas?
In case you're interested in what this is for, I'm working on Part II of the Thru-hiker Backpacks (http://sourcetosea.net/thru-hiker-backpacks) section of my Appalachian Trail Thru-hiker study (http://sourcetosea.net/appalachain-trail-thru-hiker-study) today. I should have it posted later today, picture or not. That picture would sure set the whole thing off though!
I recall seeing packs which meet your description. I don't think they were Keltys. Keltys would have been beyond the price range of scouts I knew.
Johnny Swank
01-05-2009, 17:44
I swear I've got this buried at home somewhere. It was a guy that looked to be in his twenties, and had a big ole beard. This is going to drive me nuts, and the last thing I want to do tonight is go through old magazines and hopefully scan this thing.
I think it was in a "Worst Ideas for Backpacking" issue, circa 1996 or so.
nitewalker
01-05-2009, 18:57
im not sure what photo you are refering to but check out the funk brothers journal on trail journals. i belive there are some old photos there. maybe u can lift one of those..
CrumbSnatcher
01-05-2009, 19:27
pack look like this one?
Johnny Swank
01-05-2009, 19:44
Those are the packs! I'm getting the motivation (re: PBR) to dig though my magazines now. I really, really want to get ahold of this photo. Irrationally so. ;)
4eyedbuzzard
01-05-2009, 20:32
pack look like this one?
That 40th anniv Kelty in the corner looks mighty familiar... :D Have you had a chance to use it yet?
CrumbSnatcher
01-05-2009, 20:43
That 40th anniv Kelty in the corner looks mighty familiar... :D Have you had a chance to use it yet?
you want me to get it dirty? :D probably use my 50th anniversary pack this year again
Crumbsnatcher,
What is the company and model of that Red, White and Blue pack in your pictures? The design of the pack and frame seems to be identical to a blaze orange colored pack that I acquired in the mid-late 1970s. (Mine bears the label: "American Camper 4740").
The pack was apparently cheap enough back then (it was a gift). Ironically, back in the Summer of 1978, someone told me that the plastic joints on the frame would not last through the 80 mile hike that I was about to start. I still own the pack in 2009--and the joints look fine. I have put LOTS of miles on this pack and I can still use it. Note: In 1978, a 600 lb. black bear (the bear's weight was reported by area Rangers--not my estimate) tossed the pack around and put a rip in it. I sewed it up right there in the field--and have had no other problems since. All I can say about this pack is this: IT TAKES A LICKING AND KEEPS ON TICKING!
CrumbSnatcher
01-05-2009, 21:46
Crumbsnatcher,
What is the company and model of that Red, White and Blue pack in your pictures? The design of the pack and frame seems to be identical to a blaze orange colored pack that I acquired in the mid-late 1970s. (Mine bears the label: "American Camper 4740").
The pack was apparently cheap enough back then (it was a gift). Ironically, back in the Summer of 1978, someone told me that the plastic joints on the frame would not last through the 80 mile hike that I was about to start. I still own the pack in 2009--and the joints look fine. I have put LOTS of miles on this pack and I can still use it. Note: In 1978, a 600 lb. black bear (the bear's weight was reported by area Rangers--not my estimate) tossed the pack around and put a rip in it. I sewed it up right there in the field--and have had no other problems since. All I can say about this pack is this: IT TAKES A LICKING AND KEEPS ON TICKING!
i couldn't find any info on the pack,if you were wearing it,right behind your head is an ovel sticker sticker. but the info's wore down. i believe its a american camper.sorry i couldn't help:(
I borrowed a 1970's blaze orange backpack years ago from my brother. He still has it. It is a Camp Trails brand.
Toolshed
01-05-2009, 22:13
I seem to recall this photo - I need to dig through my old stack of BPers - I thought it was earlier than that - Maybe 72 and IIRC he had Yellowish short running shorts, big Norwegian welt stitch-downs and long wool socks.(Course I may be totally wrong.).
If I can get to my old stack in the next week or two (involves locating said stack), I'd be glad to take a look.
Johnny Swank
01-05-2009, 23:17
Great - I lost motivation after 3 bowls of chili. Damn good chili though!