[pct-l] The Feds and the Dixon Roller Pack

[hiker97 at aol.com]

Diane writes:?Because of the wheel, it would not be allowed in any federally?designated wilderness area.? Not just the PCT.
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Switchback replies: I wonder how long that will last, since it does hardly no damage to the trail unlike hoof animals that are allowed on the trails.? I also wonder if any authority would enforce the restriction once they see it.? The rule was obviously written for other "wheeled" devices (dirt bikes and bicycles) and not for something like this.? Time will tell, IMHO.? Bob Dixon has used across the Grand Canyon, Mt. Whitney Trail,?and other places and all the Rangers have ever said to him was "neat device".

The RollerPack has some real benefits for?folks who might have some minor physcial aliments, but still want to go out on the trail safely.? Of course, it benefits any backpacker because it reduces the effective gear weight on the body by about 50%.? I am still experimenting with it, but it is pretty easy to get use to. It does have some things to think about if you use one.

1.? Would hitchhiking be easier or harder with one?? Folks might pick you up because of the novelty.
2.? Would you want to use it in early season when there might be a lot of blow downs on the trail?
3.? Would the ski attachment for the wheel work well across trail snow fields?
4.? If the trail was very rocky, would it work okay?
5.? At big stream crossings it converts into a backpack very easily.? So, I guess that is not a big deal.
6.? Of course, since it is new and different, there will be regular contingent of nay-sayers and detractors you will have to put up with.? I could see some?ultra lighters?in this group as a vocal minority.? No big deal, since I would guess?90+% of backpackers are not ultra lighters.

I expect there will be thousands on the trail this season once word gets around that Switchback has one.? :-)