General fitness, health and nutrition · Public discussion

WEIGHT - v - LIGHTWEIGHT

Started by John Spencer-Mallory · · Last activity · 42 posts · 826 views

This thread is locked and is currently read-only.

Thread navigation

Jump through the discussion

Go to the original post, the replies on this page, or the latest preserved contribution.

Thread details

What we know about this thread

Original section
General fitness, health and nutrition
Published
6 November 2004
Last activity
8 November 2004
Original author
John Spencer-Mallory
Posts
42
Discussion status
Public discussion
Total views
826
Views / 30 days
0

The navigation and discussion metadata provide context. Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Showing posts 1–20 of 42
Posts remain in their original chronological order.

Text size
  1. Now here's a question......or two...or three.

    At the risk of being branded an heretic and having the u.k.w. Inquisition
    sent out here to the wild of the Gedney Marsh, I have a serious question to
    ask and a serious proposition to put.

    Why the obsession with lightweight?....(That's the serious question)

    (this is the serious proposition)....
    During one of my previous incarnations (as a man in a dpm uniform)...and
    many times I performed the Fan dance.... I and my 3 team members regularly
    carried 60+ kilos of equipment essential to our very survival (and I don't
    mean only food {MRE =meals ready to eat} or {= meals recycled excrement}),
    but things like 500 rounds of 5.56mm amunition - across desert or arctic
    terrain.

    OK so we trained and trained......and trained, but all the training in the
    world does not overcome the psychological barriers.

    Now I regularly go out backpacking for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at a time and don't
    thing about the weight. I happily carry 30 - 40 kilos and really enjoy my
    walking.

    NO I'm not superman or anything else. I'm knocking on 60 years old, I keep
    reasonable fit, but I just don't think about the weight on my back. WHY?
    Because what I put in my pack is what I WANT to carry for my PERSONAL
    COMFORT. If I think I want x, y, or z, then I carry it.

    I don't worry how many miles or kilometers I walk every day. What the
    hell, today I do 40 Km (a long day), or 20 Km (an easy day), or something in
    between. Whatever, I ENJOY my walking/backpacking and I think that when I
    pack my bag I take what I want to take for my personal comfort.

    Currently I ALWAYS take either a 60 or 70 Litre pack. Narmally it's full.
    I do make concessions to modernity - MSR Ti Kewttley things and MSR Ti Titan
    pans, MSR Pocket Rocket (since my trip 'over the pond I'm now trying out a
    very fat but squat 500 gram butane/isobutane/propane gas cylinder - magic
    stability {as good as a trangia!!!!}) - but I'm not making a fetish of
    weight.

    Bye the bye...for some correspondents to the group......welcome to the TGO
    Challenge...I may make myself known to you..🙂

    Cheers all and happy trails,

    John S-M

  2. John Spencer-Mallory said:

    Why the obsession with lightweight?....(That's the serious question)

    Bad knees. I used to carry a lot of weight. Always hated it.

    Quoted message said:

    Now I regularly go out backpacking for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at a time and
    don't thing about the weight. I happily carry 30 - 40 kilos and
    really enjoy my walking.

    You must be really strong and fit then.

    Quoted message said:

    NO I'm not superman or anything else.

    Actually you are. You're in denial.

    Quoted message said:

    I don't worry how many miles or kilometers I walk every day. What
    the hell, today I do 40 Km (a long day), or 20 Km (an easy day),

    And that proves it.

    Are you related to Roger by any chance?

    Paul
    --
    http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
    http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk

  3. John Spencer-Mallory said:

    Why the obsession with lightweight?....(That's the serious question)

    Are you a Troll?

    "Why the obsession with lightweight?" I'm certainly not obsessed. I
    know this because I do not cut extra straps off rucksacks. I don't
    trim down my toothbrush or spoon etc.

    However, I'm not a Pongo (Apologies if you were a Bootneck or a Crab).
    I enjoy being outside for the sake of it. I don't need to carry a
    weapon or ammunition; I don't need to walk a certain distance to meet
    the Command's objective. I just like being out there ..... and, since
    I'm not the biggest or strongest wee girly you'll ever meet, that
    means I have to keep the weight on my back down to something I can
    manage.

    You do 20 km on an easy day? You're either a troll, a psycho or, most
    probably, a lot fitter than me!

    That's why.

    Judith

  4. "Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    "Why the obsession with lightweight?" I'm certainly not obsessed. I
    know this because I do not cut extra straps off rucksacks.

    Why not? Takes no effort, saves maybe 100g in a few seconds and they're
    just nasty horrible flappy things that hit you in the face or get caught up
    in stuff if you don't. Go on, do it, you know you want to really.

  5. AndyP said:

    Why not? Takes no effort, saves maybe 100g in a few seconds and they're
    just nasty horrible flappy things that hit you in the face or get caught up
    in stuff if you don't. Go on, do it, you know you want to really.

    I tuck them in, neatly. That way I can use them if I need them.

    Do not try to make me obsessive. I already get strange looks in the
    pub when I tell complete strangers how much their jacket weighs!

    Judith

  6. "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    Why the obsession with lightweight?....(That's the serious question)

    There's no such thing as lightweight with regards to backpacking and walking
    up hills. There's just normal and needlessly heavy.

  7. "Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    Do not try to make me obsessive. I already get strange looks in the
    pub when I tell complete strangers how much their jacket weighs!

    Ok, Mountain Equipment Makalu 2000 mens size small? (With a trimmed
    drawcords ofcourse)..... Just testing.

  8. AndyP said:

    I already get strange looks in the

    Quoted message said:

    pub when I tell complete strangers how much their jacket weighs!

    Ok, Mountain Equipment Makalu 2000 mens size small? (With a trimmed
    drawcords ofcourse)..... Just testing.

    Ooh, well. About 740g ? Depends what he's got in his pockets,
    really. Do you mind if I have a look?

    Judith

  9. "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Now I regularly go out backpacking for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at a time and don't
    thing about the weight. I happily carry 30 - 40 kilos and really enjoy my
    walking.

    Quoted message said:

    I don't worry how many miles or kilometers I walk every day. What the
    hell, today I do 40 Km (a long day),

    If weight carried and distance covered is of no concern to you, how come you
    know what you are carrying and how far you are going?

  10. "Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I already get strange looks in the

    Quoted message said:

    pub when I tell complete strangers how much their jacket weighs!

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Ok, Mountain Equipment Makalu 2000 mens size small? (With a trimmed
    drawcords ofcourse)..... Just testing.

    Quoted message said:

    Ooh, well. About 740g ? Depends what he's got in his pockets,
    really. Do you mind if I have a look?

    Close enough mine's exactly 700g. The only things that I keep in the
    pockets are my hands usually so you won't find much of interest. Excellent
    talent, I can say the alphabet backwards and balance snooker cues on one
    finger but that's about it.

  11. "Judith" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Are you a Troll?


    Errrr.......no I don't think so.

    Quoted message said:

    However, I'm not a Pongo (Apologies if you were a Bootneck or a Crab).


    Neither...something far far better!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - a Pilgrim

    You do 20 km on an easy day? You're either a troll, a psycho..........

    Errrrr...Not a Troll but my shrink says I am probably psychopathic......It
    goes with the terratory I once inhabited.

    John

  12. "Stuart" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:


    "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Now I regularly go out backpacking for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at a time and
    don't
    thing about the weight. I happily carry 30 - 40 kilos and really enjoy
    my
    walking.

    Quoted message said:

    I don't worry how many miles or kilometers I walk every day. What the
    hell, today I do 40 Km (a long day),

    If weight carried and distance covered is of no concern to you, how come
    you
    know what you are carrying and how far you are going?


    It's called navigation.....................WITHOUT GPS!
    John S-M

  13. "AndyP" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:

    Why the obsession with lightweight?....(That's the serious question)

    There's no such thing as lightweight with regards to backpacking and
    walking
    up hills. There's just normal and needlessly heavy.


    Weight on the back...like pain......is a state of mind.

    John S-M

  14. Stuart <[email hidden]> wrote

    Quoted message said:


    If weight carried and distance covered is of no concern to you, how come you
    know what you are carrying and how far you are going?


    You don't need to know if you're trolling, you just make it up.
    ;-)

    I don't believe him. Can we set up a test course for him? Pennine
    Way is attractive at this time of year, but don't expect me to be the
    checkpoint on Black Hill.
    --
    Gordon

  15. The message <[email hidden]>
    from "Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> contains these words:

    Quoted message said:

    Are you related to Roger by any chance?

    Can't be. I hate carrying excess weight and didn't like 30lbs when I
    used to back pack. 30 to 40 kilos would be absolute misery even on an
    absolutely level track.

    --
    Roger Chapman so far this year 79 summits
    New - 51 (Marilyns 14, Sweats 5, Outlying Fells 39)
    Repeats - 28 (Marilyns 11, Sweats 21, Wainwrights 16, Outlying Fells 1)

  16. The message <[email hidden]>
    from "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> contains
    these words:

    Quoted message said:

    Weight on the back...like pain......is a state of mind.

    Weight on the back is a pain. Carrying unnecessary weight is just wasted
    effort. Carry less and go proportionately further, faster, or both.

    --
    Roger Chapman so far this year 79 summits
    New - 51 (Marilyns 14, Sweats 5, Outlying Fells 39)
    Repeats - 28 (Marilyns 11, Sweats 21, Wainwrights 16, Outlying Fells 1)

  17. Quoted message said:

    During one of my previous incarnations (as a man in a dpm uniform)...and
    many times I performed the Fan dance....

    Forgive my ignorance. dpm? Fan dance?

    Regards, Paul (R)
    My Lake District walking site:
    www.lakelandwalker.co.uk

  18. "Roger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    The message <[email hidden]>
    from "John Spencer-Mallory" <[email hidden]> contains
    these words:

    Quoted message said:

    Now here's a question......or two...or three.

    At the risk of being branded an heretic and having the u.k.w. Inquisition
    sent out here to the wild of the Gedney Marsh, I have a serious question


    to

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    ask and a serious proposition to put.

    Why the obsession with lightweight?....(That's the serious question)

    (this is the serious proposition)....
    During one of my previous incarnations (as a man in a dpm uniform)...and
    many times I performed the Fan dance.... I and my 3 team members


    regularly

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    carried 60+ kilos of equipment essential to our very survival (and I


    don't

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    mean only food {MRE =meals ready to eat} or {= meals recycled


    excrement}),

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    but things like 500 rounds of 5.56mm amunition - across desert or arctic
    terrain.

    OK so we trained and trained......and trained, but all the training in


    the

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    world does not overcome the psychological barriers.

    Now I regularly go out backpacking for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at a time and


    don't

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    thing about the weight. I happily carry 30 - 40 kilos and really enjoy


    my

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    walking.

    NO I'm not superman or anything else. I'm knocking on 60 years old, I


    keep

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    reasonable fit, but I just don't think about the weight on my back. WHY?
    Because what I put in my pack is what I WANT to carry for my PERSONAL
    COMFORT. If I think I want x, y, or z, then I carry it.

    I don't worry how many miles or kilometers I walk every day. What the
    hell, today I do 40 Km (a long day), or 20 Km (an easy day), or something


    in

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    between. Whatever, I ENJOY my walking/backpacking and I think that when


    I

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    pack my bag I take what I want to take for my personal comfort.

    Currently I ALWAYS take either a 60 or 70 Litre pack. Narmally it's


    full.

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    I do make concessions to modernity - MSR Ti Kewttley things and MSR Ti


    Titan

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    pans, MSR Pocket Rocket (since my trip 'over the pond I'm now trying out


    a

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    very fat but squat 500 gram butane/isobutane/propane gas cylinder - magic
    stability {as good as a trangia!!!!}) - but I'm not making a fetish of
    weight.

    Bye the bye...for some correspondents to the group......welcome to the


    TGO

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Challenge...I may make myself known to you..🙂

    Cheers all and happy trails,

    John S-M


    Quoted message said:

    Weight on the back is a pain. Carrying unnecessary weight is just wasted
    effort. Carry less and go proportionately further, faster, or both.

    --
    Roger Chapman so far this year 79 summits
    New - 51 (Marilyns 14, Sweats 5, Outlying Fells 39)
    Repeats - 28 (Marilyns 11, Sweats 21, Wainwrights 16, Outlying Fells


    1)

    TABLES ??????????????

    At the risk of being branded an heretic and having the u.k.w. Inquisition
    sent out here to the wild of the ........................

    Why the obsession with tables?

    (this is the serious proposition)....
    During one of my previous incarnations (as a man in a dpm uniform)...and
    many times I performed the Fan dance.... I and my 3 team members regularly
    done all the tables every day! OK so we trained and trained......and
    trained, but all the training in the
    world does not overcome the psychological barriers.

    Now I regularly go out tableiling for 1, 2 or 3 weeks at a time and don't
    think about the numbers

    NO I'm not superman or anything else. I'm knocking on ?? years old, I keep
    reasonable fit, but I just don't think about the tables, tables never ever
    cross my mind

    I don't worry how many tables I complete every day. What the
    hell, today I do 40 Munros (a long day), or 20 corbetts (an easy day), or
    something in
    between.

    Currently I havent thought of a table for years

    Bye the bye...for some correspondents to the group......welcome to the
    Donalds

    Cheers all and happy tables,

    112 / 284 Winter
    210 / 284 Spring
    180 / 284 Summer
    70 / 284 Autumn

    34 donalds
    96 Corbetts
    97 grahams

    and everything in the cheviots twice

    Tables and lists ....kg & km..... not for me!

  19. "Paul Rose" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    During one of my previous incarnations (as a man in a dpm uniform)...and
    many times I performed the Fan dance....

    Forgive my ignorance. dpm? Fan dance?


    DPM: Disruptive pattern material: Brit Cammo
    Fab Dance: Route across Pen-Y-Fan much beloved of SAS selection etc

    part of the fun of walking on the Beacons in winter is to be startled by
    some guy in cammo carrying a rifle and a huge rucksack who trudges out of
    the cloud... try offering them a Werther's... they never seem to accept.....

    Andrew

  20. The message <[email hidden]>
    from "Stuart" <[email hidden]> contains these words:

    Quoted message said:

    I don't worry how many tables I complete every day. What the
    hell, today I do 40 Munros (a long day), or 20 corbetts (an easy day), or
    something in
    between.

    Argh! Another superman.

    I OTOH am a mere mortal who has never ever done more than one Corbett in
    a single day or, for that matter, more than 11 of those ridiculously
    easy Munros.

    --
    Roger Chapman so far this year 79 summits
    New - 51 (Marilyns 14, Sweats 5, Outlying Fells 39)
    Repeats - 28 (Marilyns 11, Sweats 21, Wainwrights 16, Outlying Fells 1)

Active in the last 60 minutes

Active in this thread

0 users · 0 guests ·0 bots ·0 total

No signed-in users are active right now.

No known search crawlers active right now.