My background includes family camping, since childhood. I accompanied my dad for his outdoor photography hobby. My dad loved canoeing. We had an Old Town wood and canvas Trapper canoe. I got to paddle in front.

I took up mountaineering, at the encouragement of a teacher. My second year, I was a rope leader. I was 15 years old. My involvement with mountaineering brought me to Mountain Rescue. I was trained by George Martin.

While I was in the U.S. Army, the only wilderness at hand was on San Francisco Bay and ocean. I took up sailing, more than I had in college. I was crew on Bold Flight, a Newport 30, winning the YRA Division R Season Championship, in 1974.

I also took up bicycling, solo kayaking, solo hiking and solo camping.

There had been quite some change since I got my start hiking and family camping in the 1950's.

First, I had worn old clothes. Next, hand-me-down boy scout pants and packs. Then, army surplus and Filsons. Finally, my real introduction to specialized clothing and gear was the REI, Pike Street store. I got Raichle Palu boots, an ice axe, rucksack and a British ventile cloth mountaineering jacket. I knew immediately this equipment and this clothing was better suited to our trips in the mountains

I remember my first lightweight backpacking effort. I removed the canvas sack from the wood and rope frame on a pack for boy scouts, carrying all "the 10 essentials" including extra clothing and extra food in that little canvas packsack for our Mt. Townsend summit trip on snow. I was challenged. I dumped out everything right there on the trail. Everything was inspected, by one and all. After that, no one challenged my pack.

I remember I had worn knee high insulated packs for footwear.

More recently, I have had much more comfortable and practical clothing and gear.

I share all that experience and information with you.

If you like my effort, keep it going with a donation.