Testimonials / World Records / Poetry

LWgear Sets World Record The One Pound Pack (now in its third reincarnation as the Katahdin Pack) was the first pack in the world to traverse both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail in one season.  Under human transport by Sven Thesen, the pack began its journey on April 24, 1999 at Campo, California and finished on Springer Mountain, Georgia December 19, 1999.  Not only did the pack survive nearly 5000 miles of rain, snow, UV exposure, DEET leaks and gnawing critters, but it is still in use years after the legendary hike. Click image to enlarge April Campo, CA California California California California California Washington Washington August Monument 79 September Mt. Katahdin Maine Maine December Mt. Springer Georgia

TESTIMONIAL   Dear Lynne, Thank you so much for making available the video "Lightweight Backpacking Secrets Revealed." What a great compilation of ideas and methods. I have always wanted to know much of this but was too afraid to ask! I thought the sales people at EMS had all the answers. Not so! They're just trying to do their jobs well -- sell, sell, sell -- but this stuff is heavy, heavy, heavy! The second reason this video really hit home is because, long story short, I'm getting married June 11 this year and planned to section-hike a part of the AT with my new wife. How we were looking forward to it! Well, I'm sorry to say I've been in pain lately. Saw the doctor today and was diagnosed with a hernia, possibly a double. I'm only 27! Now I've got surgery pending and my "AT" dreams were going to just become "pipe" dreams again. When I got your video in the mail today I was so sad and angry I almost sent it right back. Instead, I decided to open it and watch it, thinking it would only make me sadder. But...even though I can't honeymoon on the AT as I have always wanted to...the message at the end of your video spoke loud and clear -- "wait and hope." I am actually in pain as I write this, but thinking of your techniques and backpacking sure gives me a lot to keep my mind off it. I know that in one year, for our first anniversary, the AT will still be there and I'll be even more in shape and ready. Lynne, thanks for the hope and inspiration. You made me feel better during a rough time. My wife Amanda thanks you too! A.W.

TESTIMONIAL   Dear Lynne, Thank you for making the lightweight backpacking video! With that one video I learned the best way to pack for a backpacking trip and how to handle my finances with the book you recommended ("Your Money or Your Life"). Because of that book, I'm going to hike many beautiful places. I don't make much money, but I'm a minimalist in many aspects of my life. I'm 28 years old, and by the time I'm 40 I should only have to work when I want to. Thank you so much!! Sincerely, J. Thompson

TESTIMONIAL   Dear Lynne, I've been sectioning the AT for 7 years now and have from time to time seen people with packs that look much more reasonable. Every time my thoughts are, "How do they do it?" This holiday season my sister gave me "Five Million Steps" as a gift and I enjoyed it so much that I bought your "Secrets" video which I've watched 3X now. Based on your reference, I've also read Ray Jardine's book and am almost done "retooling" my traditional gear for the more sensible approach. After a lot of brutal honesty and learning how to sew from my wife, I've managed to (via weighing everything) get my 5 day pack weight to 24 pounds, which seems like a miracle to me. My section this year continues south from Bland, VA for 3 weeks, and I've never been more eager for a hike. I figure on completing the AT in 2005. Thanks so much for your pedagogical ways...no more beast of burden for this sectioner! Sincerely, "Daddy Longlegs"

TESTIMONIAL   Lynne, I have seen your videos "How To Hike The Appalachian Trail" and "Lightweight Backpacking" many times... so many times that I know most of it by heart. Over the past few years, my father and I have watched the videos and felt like we have grown to know the characters. We think about what it would like to meet them and what we think our impressions would have been of them had we met them on one of our hikes. P.S. – My father and I did the Appalachian Trail section from Neels Gap, GA to Deep Gap, NC, and we were rather proud since our packs with about 5 days of food weighed in at 19 and 17 pounds respectively. I slept under a tarp and everything (first time). I never thought I would do that. The revolution is catching on! –Anitra The University of Pennsylvania

TESTIMONIAL   Dear Mr. Whelden, I write to you with a huge sense of relief. After playing your video "Lightweight Backpacking," I danced around the room like a wild man, freed of heavy pack, and now I know how to keep my total weight on the Appalachian Trail to under 25 lb. What a relief! I knew there must be a better way, and you showed me. I'm 76 years old. I'm in quite good shape and have dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail for several years. I would say I am very active. Thanks again Lynne, Best, –Dick Price P.S. Your film is great! What other sort of filming do you do?

TESTIMONIAL   Hi, Lynne–I had placed an order with you a few months ago and loved everything so much that I thought I'd outfit my hiking buddy with LWgear for Christmas.  We recently did an 8 day trip in Quebec, and my One Pound Plus Pack weighed 33 pounds on Day 1.  We are hoping to do the Appalachian Trail in the next few years.....a feat that I never thought I'd be able to do after trashing my knees hiking the Long Trail in '98. Until I lightened up, my knees would hurt even on day hikes.  Now I can do 20 mile days with a full pack (around 18-20 pounds for 3-4 days) with NO PAIN.  So, I'm hoping to prove the doctor wrong who told me I'd never finish the Appalachian Trail! Anyways, I just want to say thanks for dedicating your time and energy towards designing this stuff and sharing your knowledge with others.  You've changed the way we experience the woods.....so much for the better!  Best wishes. –Becky Kinkead

TESTIMONIAL   Mr. Whelden, I have just finished your video "How To Hike The Pacific Crest Trail" and have enjoyed it immensely. The truths and realities of long distance trekking are finally brought to the front of the planning process with your work. On behalf of all prospective thru-hikers, thank-you! Very truly yours, –Bill Ballard

TESTIMONIAL   Dear Mr. Whelden, I've got my weekend trip pack weight down to 13 pounds plus food and water. With your blanket and another change, I'll have it down to 11. I might even get the food weight down a bit since I've begun to learn to forage. Tried some miner's lettuce along the trail over the weekend. Not bad. The pack rides very well on me. I now find it more comfortable than the Great Escapes Journey, which previously had been the most comfortable pack I've ever worn. –Steve B.

TESTIMONIAL   Dear Lynne Whelden- I got your lightweight backpacking video and just love it. At 45 now makes me want to try again to backpack. Could you send me your catalog on all your things you sell, like your pack, that tarp you made from the homebuilders stuff and where you found a one pound sleeping bag? I live here in Seattle Washington and don't know where I can find items like you have. I found your video at REI here in Seattle. I've been a member there for 20 years. But most of all I want to thank you for showing me a new way to backpack without killing myself with all that weight. Sincerely yours, –John Shields

TESTIMONIAL   Can't believe you've gotten me weaned off using my stove!!  3 rocks and tinfoil works like a charm!   –Rob M.

TESTIMONIAL   The blue nylon tarp you sent me was perfect!  I loved my night's stealth camping in it. I never bothered with a ground cloth, anyway.  The ol' Ensolite® on the ground with a dry loft bag for insurance.   –Ray Clark

POETRY OFFERING AND REBUFF I could love you as dry roots love the rain. I could hold you as branches in the wind brandish petals. Forgive me for speaking so soon. Let your heart look on white sea spray And be lonely. Love is a fool star. You and a ring of stars may mention my name and then forget me. Love is a fool star. -Carl Sandburg I have lived at Cold Mountain These thirty long years. Yesterday I called on friends and family: More than half had gone to Yellow Springs. Slowly consumed, like fire down a candle; Forever flowing,  like a passing river. Now, morning, I face my lone shadow: Suddenly my eyes are bleared with tears. -Han-Shan 8th century A.D. A Hundred Bolts of Satin All you have to lose is one connection and the mind uncouples all the way back. It seems to have been a train. There seems to have been a track. The things that you unpack from the abandoned cars cannot sustain life: a crate of tractor axles, for example, a dozen dozen clasp knives, a hundred bolts of satin– perhaps you specialized more than you imagined. -Kay Ryan

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