Re: Tell me about my age

Al Dennis stated that "I think it's a mistake to call anyone in this sport a "pro" or even "expert" because, and you seem to have a handle on the idea, every aspect of the sport is subjective and/or personal preference. Probably the best anyone can truely be is "experienced"."

Hmmmm.... what is your definition of "pro", and same for "expert" and "experienced"?

"Pro" usually means someone who earns their living from the activity. There are certainly professional guides and others who earn a good living in the outdoors. There are several who post on this forum from time to time who do earn their livings in the outdoors (at least 2 who I know are guides), hence fit that definition.

Many years ago, one of my mentors in my professional field (which is not the outdoor industry) wisely said that the definition of a true expert is someone who knows his limitations. By that definition, there are a number of folks who post on this forum regularly who are true experts. That does not mean they know everything there is to know, but that they are aware of the limits to their knowledge and experience and are always seeking to expand those.

As for "experienced", that can mean anything from having experienced a single overnight to someone who has been backpacking, camping, and other backcountry activities for their entire lives.

I would say that the best approach for anyone who participates in this forum is to come with an open mind (most do, but there are some blatant exceptions), a willingness to contribute (understanding that no one has complete knowledge or experience in all aspects - there is just too much range in conditions, locations, variety of gear, etc), and more important, willingness to learn. I have been getting out there literally all my 6 and a half decades in conditions ranging from deserts to swamps to rain forests to jungles to high mountains to Arctic regions, in temperatures ranging from -40 (maybe lower) to +130F (as a kid in the Arizona desert, we used to get out and play hard in summer temperatures up to 130), from deep snow and glaciers to total absence of water, and occasionally on the water. You could say I am "experienced". But I recognize that I am totally ignorant in many areas (I usually sit by and read when such discussions come up, unless someone is clearly making a total fool of themselves).

Hey, the only real way to learn is just get out there, step at a time, preferably with a mentor, but with several ways out. You are correct that there are many approaches (more than one way to skin a cat, or a grizzly). Most situations have multiple solutions, some better than others. And, true, a lot of it is personal preference. Some of us here will get out for a weekend of ultralight (minimum we can get away with, sometimes nice summer, sometimes howling blizzard), or 19th century mountain man (buckskins, bowie knife, flint and steel, and all), or super luxo. Some of us like blue sleeping bags, some like red, and I have camped with one of the contributors who has a purple sleeping bag.

(OGBO steps down off the soapbox, continuing to mumble and drool into his formerly grey, now pure white beard .....)