The arguments for an external frame is that you can load more onto them and they stay off of your back, keeping you cooler.

For the vast majority of what I’ve done I’ve used an internal frame, and have 3 or 4 of them. An internal frame pack fits closer to the body and moves with you. It seems to be less wearing over time.

One sometimes needs to add side pockets as accessories and certainly a belly pack for items one wants without taking off the main pack.

Remember that ounces = pounds and pounds = pain. Some of the best ways to cut down weight are in clothing, sleeping bags, pack, and food.

And for any hike, use hiking poles, two. Why they help so much is the subject of another post if anyone is interested, but they do, a lot.

“Now that should get the price down a bit, don’t you think?”

People’s first trip is important, and you did exactly what I did when deciding to backpack. I haunted REI and another place, found a guy I trusted and did what he said. Then I bought the cheapest of stuff I could find until I could figure out what I wanted. I’m absolutely delighted your wife had enough of a sense of humor to laugh, and didn’t hurt herself.

I can’t tell you how many people I have found on trails who were suffering with their packs. Invariably there are enough adjustments on them to make them comfortable. The weight should rest on the hips, nothing on the shoulders, with the pack transferring all of the load onto the big and long bones of the legs. The shoulder strap adjustments should be used to keep the pack snugly against the back, and the length adjustment to keep the shoulder strap above the shoulder. Those simple measures have left maybe 15 or 20 people far more comfortable for their climb or journey. REI folks are helpful, and want to help, but darned few of them know what they should know about all the equipment.

One should always have a tent bigger than the rated size, so as to be able to keep not only sleeping bags in it, but all your gear. It is a pain in the ass to have to go outside to get a pair of socks, for instance. In my later years I had packs with side pockets and could put my pack up and lean against it to read, and then when I went to sleep I could find things in the pockets. I also plastic loops sewn on the stress points with a thin, continuous line running through them to hang things on. In high winds one can also stress that line to provide more support for the tent.

There’s a lot more information, regarding tents, shoes, stoves, and so on, but I find that old men enjoy talking about it more than young people enjoy listening, so I’ll leave it at that.

I loved reading about your trip, though, and wish it had been enjoyable enough to try again. I find there is little more enjoyable than to be on a hike, get to where you are going, and sit down. Or throw up the hammock, which doubles as a rocking chair with a back, sit and relax. Maybe catch a fish or two, and throw them back. Too much trouble to do anything else.

95 lbs !? That’s impressive. Allow me to relate my one and only back packing trip which was also on the peninsula .

The wife and I went to REI and bought two ‘affordable’ packs, a bunch of lightweight gear and a Sierra Designs Flashlight tent (the one before the clip models). (I can see you rolling your eye’s because the REI jaunt is the typical pilgrimage of inexperienced noobs with no guidance from seasoned outdoorsmen.) Lot’s of cool compartments and adjusting straps. We were set.

We stuffed our packs with the gear and food and put them on to adjust them and get the feel of what it will be like carrying the cumbersome burden.

Off we went.

Our destination was Sand Point in the Ozette area. One reason because the hike (stroll) was on a mostly flat boardwalk. It seemed the perfect venue to cut our teeth. I carried 37 lbs and the wife took 25. Half way down the trail my wife slipped off the board walk. I was relieved to hear her laughing out loud. She landed on the short scrub brush and was just like a turtle on her back, not able to right herself. I got her back onto the board walk and the rest of the hike was uneventful and tranquil. Moss draped firs and wetlands lined the path.

We emerged at Sand Point to be greeted by a very docile group of golden dear, very out of place on the low switch grass- covered dunes. We hiked up and around Cape Alava. We found a spot to set up camp, just off the beach. Large driftwood logs protected the entrance and a grassy spot under the trees provided the perfect place to pitch the tent. It was early evening so we cooked diner over the butane stove and then hung the food in a tree so as not to attract bears and cougar to were we would sleep.

As darkness fell we could see enormous raccoons scurrying along the beach at low tide apparently digging for clams. They looked like ghostly shadows as they went about their business, stopping and digging and dancing about.

We awoke the next morning to a small group of deer grazing just outside the tent. I couldn’t help but feeling privileged by the early morning greeting. We had a breakfast of eggs (real) and pancakes and afterwards we took a walk along the bluff to look for Mastodon tusks and teeth and then decide to leave our little slice of pacific northwest heaven.

On the trip back we were in agony. Tired and aching, we plodded along the boardwalk stopping several times to rest our weary bones and joints. I regretted carrying that large can of baked beans with us. It was a good thing I finished the whole thing because at this point, I could do without the weight of the empty can in my pack. With each stop, we would adjust the packs looking for some relief that was not to be found.

Arriving at the parking lot, with our car coming into view, we both sighed a sigh or resignation. It was a memorable trip but unfortunately marred by lack of preparation. We should have hiked more on the surrounding local mountain trails, building stamina. But alas, hindsight is 20/20.

We never went again and I regret this but we still enjoy camping and hiking.

I still use my pack for camping and fishing. It’s a great asset for organizing your gear. Who knows, I still might use it for what it’s intended for. I’m not dead yet…

Cool displays and hot-air balloon rides inside the big hangar. Fantastic aircraft parked all over the tarmac. Fly-bys by things like B-52s. Stunt plane shows.

Don’t make them like that any more.