I was reminded today about some celebrities Happy6 and I have met on trail.
Hiker Boy
A fixture on the Appalachian Trail and at ALDHA, he is also one of the nicest and most pleasant people you can meet on or off trail.
Jester
Other than being an original, a Billville founder (and star of the winter warmer) he is a great film maker.
His films:
- Wizards of the PCT
- Embrace the Brutality (I’ve bought this several times). CDT movie.
- Thru Story (Appalachian Trail).
He is also kind, unassuming and personable.
Heather Anderson
Also known as Anish, https://wordsfromthewild.net she is an author, a hiker and the mildest, most unassuming and self deprecating person you might meet.
She is a delight in person and her books are very readable. I own three.
PMags
I link to his blog a lot. He taught me about discount gear items that are staples of my wardrobe and he and his wife are both delightful in person. https://pmags.com/.
For a great essay and a great example of his thinking read: https://pmags.com/ultralight-as-an-auto-hobby
Others
There are lots of others but these are my top four.
And Bob Peoples. Bob is beyond any list. Chuck Norris jokes are all really tributes to Bob Peoples.
Lady Di is the trail equivalent of Bob Peoples. More legendary than other ladies.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ceh4m7xKH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
An aside: gear not to carry
Thought I’d comment on someone else’s video.
- Jet boil—I agree. It is too heavy. Also, for the niche MSR is better. But seriously, take a BRS and a Stanco and you are good. And much lighter.
- Metal Cup (or a cup at all). If you aren’t using a cup instead of a pot, it is really just excess.That said, for a single hiker the IMUSA cups compete well with the Stanco Greasepot.
- Nalgene bottles. Not compatible with filters, heavy and carrying one telegraphs that one really isn’t a backpacker.
- Freestanding Tent. Everyone starts with freestanding tents but the weight and extra cost aren’t worth it for a thru-hiker. Also, with practice, trekking pole tents set up faster. Not a bad idea for the occasional hiker, weekender or for car camping.
- Camp chair. That is a pound or more of extra weight.
- Commercial first aid kits. They don’t match actual use, are expensive and heavy. Ibuprofen, duct tape/lukotape and some Imodium will do it for most backpacking needs.
- Gaiters. (I disagree with the original video, but it is personal preference). I use them. My gait makes them worthwhile. I’ll note my gait is changing over time so I might migrate away from gaiters.
- Inflatable pillow. Yep. After years of using them I left my last one in a hiker box. Have not gone back.
- Electric air pump. I use a pump sack instead. For an overnight they could be fun.
- Alcohol stoves. Illegal in some areas and with other issues. Several of the founders of the alcohol stove movement have abandoned them as overall not competing well with the BRS.
Link to video I’m referencing.
Bob should be famous. When he is I will be able to say I knew him when.