[at-l] Fw: Novice hiker, minimalist life

[athummingbird@tds.net (Linda Benschop)]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Benschop" <athummingbird@tds.net>
To: <AHuthmaker@aol.com>
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2002 9:11 AM
Subject: Novice hiker, minimalist life


> Anna and friends,
> What a delight to read your trip description.  The best way to gain
> experience is by doing, as you are learning.  I prefer to be a minimalist
> myself.  I carry 10# and my husband carries 15#.  If we carry hammocks,
> instead of our tent, that adds a 1/2# each.  You are right that most
people
> carry too much food and water.  I bring dehydrated food and one bottle of
> water each, with filter inside.  If we are hiking in an area with unknown
or
> poor water sources, I may bring extra water.  It is much easier to carry a
> lighter load when you hike with a partner and share supplies.  For
instance,
> you only need one tent, one stove etc.  When I hike with a woman friend, I
> always try to get with her first to discuss food and share.  I do not hike
> alone, for personal and medical reasons.  In the winter, I may increase my
> pack weight a bit, but I usually am warm so do not need much.  My beloved
> G-4 weighs only 14 oz. and rain gear, Frogg Toggs, is 16oz.  I do not
bring
> the bottoms in warmer weather.  I think it is all an individual thing, but
I
> enjoy my hike much more when I am hiking light.  Some hikers have other
> ideas and more power to them!  Last visit with NN, he was hiking cross
> country and down to 9.5#
> It is a choice.  Isn't it nice we have them?!
> Going hiking tomorrow (Thursday) until Saturday when we have to come back
> during the day as Jan "Dutch Treat" has a gig in Blue Ridge.  Hope to head
> out again the following weekend if not before, but now the gigs are
> beginning to interfere.  Life has a way of doing that!
> I was thinking that hiking as a minimalist has also led me to a simpler
way
> of life.  Wonder if that has happened to other hikers??  Currently we are
> living in a 26ft. Airstream travel trailer on 11.5 acres of land.  A
> mountain view, a stream with a swimming hole, miles from anyone or
> anywhere....and it is heaven.  The excitement comes from watching the
> lightening bugs, running naked in the fields and playing like little kids.
> Skies that are so clear we can see the Milky Way.  No pollution.  No
> traffic.  No noisy neighbors.  Heaven on earth!
> Happy Hiking!
> Hummingbird
>