To the OP: It depends on the group and their objectives for the backpacking trip. Some trips are about covering a lot of miles or reaching a summit with minimal emphasis on camping, some aim to be casual/social activities with easy hiking and casual camping only, and some are about the camping experience/cooking/building fire, etc.. I know I will be in the minority because this is a knife forum, but since it sounds like a group/social activity, it's probably never good to risk looking like the odd one out / socially uncalibrated person in the group. Hard core hikers will have summited a sizable list of mountains and hiked hundreds of miles while carrying everything they need in their pack and often only use small knives like SAKs. As you probably know since you backpack on the AT, many carry complete cooking systems with stove, pot, cozy, windscreen, ignition, utensils, and enough fuel to last 2 weeks or more in a package that weighs less than a BK2+sheath. To them, big knives are completely unnecessary. At the extreme end, thru hikers who hike 2000+ miles on the PCT or AT most commonly carry something like a pinky sized Victorinox Classic. If your group is mostly filled with hardcore hikers you will likely look a little odd and inexperienced to them carrying a big knife. If your group is in it for the camping experience then you'll fit right in, since to the outdoor survivalist/camper a tiny knife or lack of tools will look lame. Either way you most likely won't use the BK2 until you've put your stuff down and are setting up camp. If you can't think of a good and realistic reason why you need to have immediate access to your BK2 and show up with it strapped to your body or bag, then most likely it would be a safer bet to keep it inside your pack until you feel the group out.
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