University of South Carolina Libraries
Local Shop By Ed Ware Amidst a nationwide back packing boom a new shop has emerged in Columbia, The Back packer. "We wanted the shop to be a complete outfitter where a person could come an buy anything he needed for a back packing trip," said Lewis Jones, of The Backpacker. Jones, a former Columbia school teacher, and his brother, Malcolm, opened their shop last August. "The transition from a biology teacher to retail businessman was the biggest problem I had," said Jones, "but I needed a change from teaching." Jones, striking a lumberjack. appearance with his beard, plaid flannel shirt and deep tan, said, "I did a good bit of homework before I opened. I've been back packing for 10 years now and know lots of people who do it in Columbia and I knew there was a market for this stuff. I was sure of it." Before outfitting a beginning backpacker, Jones will recom mend that he read a backpacking book such as "Backpacking One Step at a Time" by Harvey Manning, or "Home in Your Pack," by Bradford Angier. These will give the novice an overall look as to what he will need and what to expect while backpacking. "We show a person what we have an then let him express interestthrough what he has read To see if you qua Rick McMan or what he's heard from other people, and then we will start talking' specifically with him about a specific piece of gear," said Jones. There are, however, three basic pieces of equipment that a backpacker will need. These are a comfortable pack and frame, a good pair of hiking shoes which are thoroughly broken-in and a sleeping bag. To the beginning backpacker, Jones offers this essential ad vice: Be in good physical condition, always leave a plan of your trip with someone and never leave any trace of your being in the wilderness. Gazing about the shop is enough to get. even the most leisure-minded person psyched to go backpacking. Backpacks line the walls, tents are set up in full display on the floor, goose-down jackets and sleeping bags hang from racks in the back and there are several shelves of fancy hiking boots and rows of freeze dried food amoungst canteens and cooking utensils. Some items for sale in this. store tend toward the ridiculous. Special lightweight toothbrushes are available for the backpacker who has everything. "For those who can't be satisfied with a simple meal on the trail," said Jones, with a deep twang, "we even have freeze dried T-bone steaks." Columbians wishing to back pack arefortunate in that they are within a four-hour drive of some of the finest backpaking and, mountain wilderness areas in the east. These include Pisgah lify, contact us at 2711 Mid ckpackers National Forest and Mount Mitchell State Park in North Carolina - - and The Great Smokey National Park in Ten nessee and North Carolina. Due to the tremendous increase in backpacking traffic, some of these areas are often over crowded in the spring, summer and early fall weekends. Jones attempts to point these areas out to his customers and offer alternative trips to less crowded areas. Linville Gorge and Shining Rock, designated wilderness areas in North Carolina, are now on a reservation only system for backpackers. Violators are subject to 6 months in jail or $500 fine. Jones felt this was a necessary move. "These areas were taking a terrible beating, and I don't think it will discourage serious backpackers, only picnicers and daytrippers who are a cause of much of the litter problem." Samuel Blankenship, a can didate for his doctorate in nuclear physics at U.S.C., has just written a book, "A Back packing Guide to the Southern Mountains," in which he cites many new and uncrowded areas. "For the first few years I went backpacking, I don't ever think I had a good night's sleep. but I always had a good time," related Jones. "The image back in the early 1960's was to really rough it, and be as miserable as possible, but it doesn't have to be that way anymore, not with all the new equipment." Jones says he has enjoyed all of The Navy is lookii in physics and mc a special aptitudE qualify, the benefi The Navy's NUCLEAR PROPU PROGRAM (NUF $500 a month in After college, qui itraining worth fr assigned as an < submarines or si NUPOC training and standards al dleburg Dr. Cc EDITOR.................................. ASS0CIATE EDITORS........... AD MANAGER.'...................... WRITE Hank Gilmen. Kathy Edwards Phyllis Purcell Merry Batemen Mark Motow Scott Ke EDITOAAtS....,.................... PHOTO ................................. ARTWOOR ............................ PROO9CTION....................... CIRCULATION ..................... Mhghthe GAMECOCK Isap Universityof Santh Carelina, it is n t University. TMhe sexrs memers eG the GAMECOCK. his backpacking trips with the possible exception of one. While hiking in Linville Gorge last year, Jones was observing a friend rock climbing on Hawks Bill Mountain. Rapelling off a 45 foot face, the climber's rope broke, and he fell several hun dred feet and was seriously in jured. "I think I will concentrate on late fall and winter backpacking in the future," said Jones. "This is when you will find almost no people." Winter camping can be brutal ig for college men with c ith, plus the special qualil for hard and challenging ts are immediate, and th LSION OFFICER CAN DIDA OC-C) offers those selec pay and allowances durii alified candidates will rec >m $20,000 to $25,000, c >fficer in one of the Navy' irface ships. is rigouous, requirements e high. lumbia, S.C. or Sf' .................... Carl Be1aa ...................5seentcerns Carl NyMr ................... Beay Ailn Es .owk cromer John Van Deln Terry Duoas LyWi Perri aarl Naylor erns ....................SGt K_infl 'ohn Vanoin tarl Beaw Car Napor .................. Scoff Kearns Gene Hood .................... Steven B. Foiles Kathy Edwards John Van Delen .........."........ Joe Barry blicatlen of se studea s of Se sta n official pbIcetten of itl idhe studn oe r all Mtal unless you are properly prepared. Waterproof. tents, down jackets and sleeping bags rated to zero degrees are a necessity. Accompanying Jones on some of his backpacking trips are his wife and six-year-old son. "More people are now realizing that they can take their whole family with them," Jones said. "Many people now want to escape the nine to five routine and all the problems of city life and experience backpacking," said Jones. "Once is all it takes." i demonstrated ability ties of leadership and I work. For those who e opportunity unlimited TE-COLLEG IATE ted for the program ig their senior year. live advanced nuclear ind later may be s Nuclear-powered are demanding, call '765-591.