Re: Fletcher Vs Kephart

Fletcher was a phenomenal influence on more than one generation of backpacker - in fact - it's fun to read the various versions of the Complete Walker to see how he (Fletcher) evolved as technology and equipment changed.

He made me the tarp hound that I am - I'll give him credit for that - and "the man who walked through time" has remained on my "personal top book" list for many years.

http://www.amazon.com/Downward-Bound-Climbing-Menasha-Classics/dp/0897321014 - if you're interested - no - you can't have my copy!

Much like when Warren "Batso" Harding died, the outdoors world has lost a real character with the passing of Fletcher. While most modern outdoors "experts" seem so damn serious, Fletcher kept it light - he knew that the main reason to get out there and backpack was to have fun -

As for Batso - if you consider yourself a climber and haven't read "downward bound" - you owe it to yourself to find a copy - the rantings of this Vulgarian (his term, not mine) can make the darkest days of your life seem just a little brigher -

RIP Colin -

Steve