highway
09-05-2002, 09:26
You can read about her here:
http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/ultralig.htm
Grandma Gatewood
Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, whose picture is shown to the left, is the considered by many to be the "patron saint" of ultralightweight backpackers. She hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1954 when she was 67, becoming the first woman to thru-hike the AT in one season. She hiked the entire distance alone. Two years later, she thru-hiked the entire trail and again did it alone. Over the following five years she hiked sections of the trail until she had completed the entire trail a third time.
What made accomplishments even more interesting is that she never carried more than 20 lbs of gear and food during her hikes. In fact, she had complete contempt for traditional backpacking gear. Instead of boots, she wore Keds sneakers. Instead of an expensive parka, she wore a rain cape which she also used as a ground cloth. Instead of a heavy tent, she carried a plastic shower curtain for shelter. Instead of a sleeping bag, she used an army blanket. The only remaining items she carried were a sweater, jacket, flashlight, Swiss Army knife, a small pot, first-aid supplies, safety pins, needle and thread, soap, and a towel. In fact, she didn't even use a backpack at all, but just carried a homemade demin sack over one shoulder.
Her incredible accomplishments should give us pause to reconsider what's really necessary in the backpacking equipment we carry
Look at the above site, it's interesting. Sure makes me feel small while I consider the merits of various pieces of gear. She didn't consider gear at all; she just went. At 67 she carried less than I do. It makes one think we are to "gear-consumed" than we should be.
http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/ultralig.htm
Grandma Gatewood
Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, whose picture is shown to the left, is the considered by many to be the "patron saint" of ultralightweight backpackers. She hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine in 1954 when she was 67, becoming the first woman to thru-hike the AT in one season. She hiked the entire distance alone. Two years later, she thru-hiked the entire trail and again did it alone. Over the following five years she hiked sections of the trail until she had completed the entire trail a third time.
What made accomplishments even more interesting is that she never carried more than 20 lbs of gear and food during her hikes. In fact, she had complete contempt for traditional backpacking gear. Instead of boots, she wore Keds sneakers. Instead of an expensive parka, she wore a rain cape which she also used as a ground cloth. Instead of a heavy tent, she carried a plastic shower curtain for shelter. Instead of a sleeping bag, she used an army blanket. The only remaining items she carried were a sweater, jacket, flashlight, Swiss Army knife, a small pot, first-aid supplies, safety pins, needle and thread, soap, and a towel. In fact, she didn't even use a backpack at all, but just carried a homemade demin sack over one shoulder.
Her incredible accomplishments should give us pause to reconsider what's really necessary in the backpacking equipment we carry
Look at the above site, it's interesting. Sure makes me feel small while I consider the merits of various pieces of gear. She didn't consider gear at all; she just went. At 67 she carried less than I do. It makes one think we are to "gear-consumed" than we should be.