Design of pack

[Delphia Dirks]

Hi:  I've looked at an array of backpacks at a local sports shop.   Most of
the just look BIG!,,,  but the salesguys are very good about explaining the
features, and certainly do recommend the sort that put the weight on the
hips.  You just need to go to a good sportshop and try them on.   They have
some rocks there that can be added to give you a feel of the weight.... as
we hear,  least is best.

I asked about the chamois, but they didn't have any.... did have a new sort
of synthetic chamois which they say dries even faster than the real thing.
I havn't purchased anything yet... just looking and listening and reading
all these interesting emails with good advice from veteran travelers.   And
getting more enthusiastic all the time.

My only physical worry is knees.  Everything is fine when I am walking, but
after sitting, there comes the stiffness.  Soon gone.   Well, knees are not
to be trifled with, but I am expecting everything to be o.k.

--cheers.....delphia
> From: MaryAnn May <mamayaNVINET.COM>
> Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu>
> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 17:48:03 -0700
> To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
> Subject: Design of pack
>
> Hello veteran hikers.  My problem in recent years are my fragile shoulders.
> Surgeries and therapy keep them working but I'm looking for a backpack that
> might be designed to put weight on the hips, with the shoulder straps there
> only to maintain the balance of the pack. Any ideas?
>
> And I second the motion of carry very little!
> Two items I camp with that I find are very light and compact and extremely
> useful:  Sea sponge (holds amazing amount of water for sponge baths and
> compresses down to nothing) and a chamois (used as a bath towel, never gets
> sour, dries in a snap, rolls up into a cigar size wad). Of course, they are
> both animal "products"  and that has been an obstacle  for my friends who are
> vegans. But I swear by them!