[at-l] That Crazy Cot/Pack Again

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 11:36 AM 10/27/2004 -0400, Brett wrote:
>Why not just buy a lightweight foldable cot, sew a pack bag to one side, 
>shoulder straps and hipbelt to the other? One could do the same with a 
>beach chair or any other deck-style furniture. Sew a complete line of 
>these and market them as the Patio Packs.

Artist supply catalogs sell backpack/stools for painting in the field (AKA 
plein aire painting). They are basically a folding stool with shoulder 
straps but they don't look very comfortable to carry for a long distance. I 
suspect a cot thusly modified would be a heavy pack.

>Of course, cots suffer from the same drawback as hammocks - chilly 
>undersides. And they tend to be bulkier and heavier than even the cushiest 
>thermarests. But as Edward Abbey knew well (and demanded), they do elevate 
>one above the level of the gosh darned ants.

Hammocks are lighter because there is no frame and you can deal with the 
chilly underside problem (see www.speerhammocks.com).