A guy who lives to be out there

O.k. This guy may not have all the equipment we here sitting at home might think he should have, but being that he does this to the tune of some 30,something thousand miles, my guess is he knows what the heck hes doing by now! How many miles have any of US hiked this year? Yet we will sit here and critique what very well could be considered a hiking guru.

Some times there could be yet more to learn.............ya know?;)
 
Yep - I believe there is always something to learn. But quite frankly that article romanticizes unsound advice. Claiming that a first aid kit for a solo hiker need only be moleskin and a bandana is not good advice. Spending time here on WS&S will only reinforce that. What we do here is consider, criticize and comment. I think it is completely fair to poke holes in some of the statements written in that article.

Some people drive like a crazy maniac and never get in an accident. Is it because they drive like a crazy maniac so much - that the rest of us should take stock and replicate?
 
Earl Schaffer didn't wear socks on his AT thru hike if I remember correctly...
I take a little more in my FAK than moleskin and a bandana, but chances are he can probably improvise more than I can in that regard.
And until I have more miles under my belt than him, I'm not going to question HIS gear choice. He's not recommending everyone do this. Just what works for him.
 
Why travel with a SAK when I could carry my CGFBM either of my FFBM would be just over load anyway.
 
beef said:
Earl Schaffer didn't wear socks on his AT thru hike if I remember correctly...
I take a little more in my FAK than moleskin and a bandana, but chances are he can probably improvise more than I can in that regard.
And until I have more miles under my belt than him, I'm not going to question HIS gear choice. He's not recommending everyone do this. Just what works for him.
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Precisely;)
 
ok. I have acutally met Billy Goat and he is a very nice guy. He is well respected in the hiking community especiall around the PCT. As for the knife stuff and calling people yuppy hikers, many of those people who dont carry all sorts of knives in the woods have hiked more miles than many of you can dream.

It is cool that you want to go out in the woods with 3 knives. But hike 2100 miles with them and see just how much of a burden they are when you have to carry them day in and day out.

From what I have seen carrying a small cheap paring knife that you can pick up at any supermarket can likely be a light alternative. The handle is usually light weight plastic but the blade will do the main things that are necessary: ie opening the foil from a peanut butter jar or cutting a piece of salami.

As for him not being prepared, well he has hiked more miles that most people on the planet and has gained a lot of experience. We can watch shows about preparedness and read books but I guess hes learned from experience what he has needed in all of his years of hiking.
 
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Adapt Improvise Overcome

nuff said. However......I will forgo any piece of kit, but when it comes to the knife, no way. I like my large blades on a hike....
 
Reminds me of this homeless guy who walks up and down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), some of you may have seen him, he's got the battlestar grocerycart, and I swear, there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason as to why he walks up and down the coast, I'll see him as I drive by, and think that theres no way this guy can walk to anywhere close to a store/ market before the next day anyways. I'm sure he knows how to survive too, but I wouldn't go on thinking this guy (who seems pleasant enough) has sage advice. He's a guy with mental issues that wants to live that way.......

.And about billy goat, he says in the article it's not the place but the hiking that drives him, but for most other hikers, hiking is all about the place your'e in or else you might as well "hike" down the railroad tracks from San Fernando Valley to Long Beach.

This guy can do what he wants imo , just don't put him to far up the pedestal.

Now I better :foot:
 
Just because someone gets away with something foolish doesn't make it sound advice, or the person a sage.

I do like his independence. But it would mean a lot more if he were truly independent, not ignoring his family until he needs a shipment.
 
KILLAFORNIA said:
Reminds me of this homeless guy who walks up and down PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), some of you may have seen him, he's got the battlestar grocerycart, and I swear, there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason as to why he walks up and down the coast, I'll see him as I drive by, and think that theres no way this guy can walk to anywhere close to a store/ market before the next day anyways. I'm sure he knows how to survive too, but I wouldn't go on thinking this guy (who seems pleasant enough) has sage advice. He's a guy with mental issues that wants to live that way.......

.And about billy goat, he says in the article it's not the place but the hiking that drives him, but for most other hikers, hiking is all about the place your'e in or else you might as well "hike" down the railroad tracks from San Fernando Valley to Long Beach.

This guy can do what he wants imo , just don't put him to far up the pedestal.

Now I better :foot:
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If you needed advice about walking up and down the PCH with a shopping cart hed be the guy to talk to however....


No one as far as Ive read has said Billy Goat should be a model for our life or some one to give family counseling advise, I think the general concensus from those humble enough not to critique or use condescending phrases like "yuppie hiker" Is that as far as HIKING goes.......

BTW LLbean and especially Patigonia make some brilliant stuff......And no I dont own one single article from either company. But why have an Aurora when a mora 545 is all you really need right?:rolleyes:
 
Regarding the knife - well this is a knife forum and most of us are over-equipped with knives because we like them and appreciate them in more ways then the very basics of their utility. Many of us find that using our knives provides an activity that is in some ways akin to the joy we get from hiking and other activities. I can, however, fully accept the paring knife preferrence if it meets his needs. Its not what I would go with for myself but I'm not critising his decion there. Also respect his reliance on compass instead of GPS - batteries are heavy and unreliable.

My main critique was his IMO insufficient first aid kit. There are a few essentials that I think are absolute in my mind. His bandana could have multiple uses as a band-aid, sling or even to help fasten a splint. However - some real world things that I've absolutely needed and used out of my first aid kit and would not be caught without (nor do they weigh that much) - Immodium (anti-diarrehea pills - diarrhea can hinder your movement and cause rapid dehydration that can spell death in a couple of days). Aspirin - for pain relief and heart problems (nitroglycerin or appropriate medicine if you have an actual heart condition); antihistamines (helps inflammation due to various allergins - either induced by bites or other - even people who aren't overtly allergic to things can spontaneously come down with something - a double shot epi-pen is a great thing and the only thing that can save you if you experience a full out attack); antiseptic wipes or antibiotic ointment (blood poisoning starts in a matter of days). Water purification tablets - weigh nothing and provide that extra little insurance. I usually bring a water filter for purification when I'm hiking (less weight than packing in water), but if I really wanted to go light then the tabs could do. Actually I bring both since the tabs don't really constitute any weight.

If you are going out there with just a paring knife - then why not bring a set of tweezers. Not really any weight - pull out slivers or bee stingers that otherwise can get infected - don't forget to sterilize that patch of skin that you been digging things out of. Band aides or at least some tape to work with the bandanna. Only one bandanna - hope that isn't your only hat when you need it for your sling/bandage.

Sure there are some natural alternatives to the above, but even if you were using natual medicines, you would have a bundle of basic ingredients with you - you wouldn't go searching them out after you came down with a problem.

My initial criticism of his mental health was probably a little bit harsh. I was in a cranky mood (maybe I should have written the response in the garage :) ). I guess I just didn't like the tone of the article. I certainly believe that there isn't a need for overt consumerism of hiking goods to enjoy the outdoors even under hard use conditions. That little bit about the first aid kit really bugged me though - if I were the editor I would have put a little side bar about ultra-light first aid kits - what is essential in with the article.

Ken
 
He is hiking under a completly different mindset than you kgd. I can understand where you are comming from but to be an ultralight hiker you really have to forgo the idea of "its ok I can add this because it only adds a little". After a while of that you will have a few more lbs in the pack.

Its a totally differnt set of standards and as many people say you can hike your own hike. Do what you want maybe his way doesnt work for you or maybe it does. I dont think we need to give him a hard time because the story wasnt edited to show alternatives.
 
I personally found nothing overly impressive or monumental about what he did. I find those who shirk their families less than impressive. Also, his advice would be considered less than sage in my opinion. I certainly hope that people take this article with a grain of salt. Otherwise, the PCT will be full of dead hikers...
 
The man has one thing most lack...experience. Sure I love my outdoor gear and such but I don't need a lot of it. If I'm backpackg and there is a fireban and I'm making simple meals anything more than an EDC folder isn't needed. If I'm climbing or bagging peaks there is no way I'm carrying a fixed blade. What we deem as needed all depends on our situation. I like to travel as light as possible while backpacking....but if I'm camping I like to have my toys to play with.

It also all depends on what you get out of hiking. This dude just wants to walk. Sometimes I'm full bore and hellbent on reaching a summit, or I can be roaming around taking pictures and not really going anyplace.

I do think his first aid kit should consist of my 3 favorite items, superglue, duct tape and vicodin. I respect the dude for doing what makes him happy. Look at the alternative for him...suicide...being 100 pounds overweight and on a dozen different anti-depressents? Yeah people have an obligation to their families...but they also have an obligation to themselves. At 69 he can do what he wants in my book.
 
I think im gonna crawl back into my reader only hole from wince I came. Just dont know bout this site anymore. Better yet, maybe I should get out from in front of this computer and go be a yuppie hiker.........geeze:(

Peace yall.:cool:
 
dougo83 said:
I personally found nothing overly impressive or monumental about what he did. I find those who shirk their families less than impressive. Also, his advice would be considered less than sage in my opinion. I certainly hope that people take this article with a grain of salt. Otherwise, the PCT will be full of dead hikers...
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Trust me. The PCT has a lot more people quitting due to carrying too much than not carrying enough. Carrying too much leads to injury which leads to dropping off a lot of stuff that the people dont need.

Eventually after many miles a hiker can learn what kind of things they need and what they dont need. Its kind of like the advice an organization specialist might give. "If you have not used it in the last 10 years maybe you dont need it"
 
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