chief concern has been to pare down what I consider essential equipment to a minimum of lightweight items.
My basic pack, consisting of the necessities for any trip, long or short, weighs a little over 111/2 pounds and includes the following:
ITEMS LBS. OZ.
Nylon knapsack 1 0
Detachable metal pack frame 1 0
Blanket sleeping bag and case 5 11
Cooking kit 1 8
10x10" square cooking griddle 1 0
First aid kit (including snake bite kit and waterproof matchbox) 0 5
Toilet kit (comb, steel mirror, tooth brush, tooth paste, hotel-size soap -razor omitted) 0 10
Pencil flashlight & extra batteries 0 4
Paper towelling 0 3
  --- ---
Total 11 9
This weight can be reduced by a pound if you don't mind your pots and 		pans becoming smoke-blackened over an open fire. However, I have found the cooking griddle to be one of my happiest discoveries. Made of magnesium - two-thirds the weight of aluminum-the griddle is flat with a slight flaring rim all around. Not only does it serve as a stove-top, keeping cooking equipment clean, but one can fry directly on the griddle, and it makes an excellent toaster as well. The pencil flashlight is a second useful but not essential item which can he omitted.
Another major find was the featherweight rucksack. Norwegian style, with a detachable magnesium frame, it measures 17 inches high, 47 inches around the base, is waterproof, and is the coolest and most comfortable pack I have ever carried. Two outer zipper pockets provide space for camera 		equipment-which with me adds 21/4 pounds:
ITEMS LBS. OZ.
Miniature camera and case 0 15
Filter and adapter ring 0 2
Automatic self-taker 0 2
Light meter 0 11
Films 0 6
  --- ---
Total 2 4
Of course, all this need not be carried in the pack. You can hang the camera from your neck or shoulder and decorate yourself around the belt like an animated Christmas tree with photographic equipment, as well as first aid kit, cup, knife and hand ax. In this way you can delightfully delude yourself, for no true knapsacker ever considers that articles carried outside the pack have any weight whatsoever.
On these energetic expeditions it is highly important that you have a good night's rest, and your bed is usually the heaviest single item. I will put up no strenuous argument that my mummy-type experimental army blanket bag and case are the lightest and most efficient made. And I do know from painful experience that they are just borderline for comfortable sleeping when the temperature drops below 45° F. On the other hand, bag and case roll into a much less bulky bundle than a down bag of the same weight, and I can tie it to the back ends of my rucksack shoulder straps with two webbing straps, where it rides easily and is well balanced. When I expect cold nights I substitute a larger down bag with light ground sheet, but this weighs more and, in general. is much less satisfactory for knapsack trips.
Another substitution for cold weather is warmer extra clothing. My ancient and much-traveled suede jacket, almost equalling my hat in disreputability, is sufficient for spring, summer and fall, but in winter or when camping at high altitudes I switch to a sweater and windbreaker. They add welcome insulation and outweigh the jacket by only 5 ounces. Also during the summer rainy season in the mountains of Arizona and New Mexico a light 15-ounce poncho often pays its freight.
Every knapsacker has his favorite gadget, and perhaps I gloat most over my cooking kit. A neater job I never saw and the man who designed it deserves a medal. Nested in a strong, light cloth case, 7 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep, are 11 aluminum pieces weighing but a pound and a half - frying pan with detachable handle, pot with bale, pot cover, deep-rimmed plate or pan, cup, knife, fork and spoon, bottle and can opener. I bought this kit several years ago and

DESERT MAGAZINE
Cochise Stronghold
 
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