University of South Carolina Libraries
Backva A excellen By Paul Osmundson GamecocK Staff Wrltar Backpacking allows a person to escane from the nrohlpms nf his daily life to a slower paced, enjoyable activity, according to the owner of The Backpacker on Harden Street. Lewis Jones, who has been backpacking for 15 years, said getting away to the mountains and backpacking give a person more time to think, and allow him to become muic icauuiizeiui. As a result, Jones said, "more and more people are getting into it." Still, only a small number of people practice the art. "WE HAVE FOUND through the years that a lot of people want to go backDacking. but thev can't find anyone they know who wants to go with them," Jones said. "A lot of people who are interested don't have a way to get going." To help these people, The Backpacker began sponsoring weekend excursions to the mountains five years ago. Jones said whenever they cet three or four DeoDle in terested in going, they'll supply the transportation, rent any materials needed, and provide an "experienced leader" to go with them. These groups usually go by van to Cosby, Tenn., in the northeastern part of the Great Smokey Mountains, Jones said. The store will rent sleeping bags, nAnlrinrf iilo f am^o a?? ui^uouo, iciiio, ui ail v tiling the group needs, he said. Tim O'Shields, an advanced Red Cross instructor, accompanies the groups. Jones said O'Shields has attended the National Outdoor Leadership School and is a former Emergency Medical Technician. He assists with any medical problems which may arise and aids in the preparation of food. THE GROUPS usually leave on Friday afternoon and hike about two or three miles the first da v. "We don't just drive them up there and make them walk 50 miles," he said. The next day, the group will walk between seven and 10 miles and GENOVA YJ 3630 Rose I 782 I r-ADM CDr^K/ LL.ni\ll l\v/iv U.S. LIGHT HEAVYV I MIKE GENOVA INSTRUCTOR f eking: it escape then stop. On the final day they walk back to the vans. "It gives the people a chance to go backpacking without spending a lot of money," Jones said. Jones said it would cost between $100 and $200 for a person to get adequately set up in backpacking. This includes a backpack, tent, cooking utensils and rain gear. He said the bisaest dancer ir backpacking is the weather. Summer storms and winter cold can make a person very "uncomfortable" if he isn't careful. Jones said the weekend trips are nice, "but the longer you have to backpack, the better you feel." HE SAID a trip lasting 10 days or two weeks is ideal. "I've been doing it (backpacking) for 15 years, and it gets better each time," Jones said. According to Jones, neonlt* from all walks of life enjoy backpacking. He said women, lawyers, doctors and students all participate in the sport. "I wouldn't stereotype a backpacker," he said. However, to be a backpacker, a person has to be in good physical condition and like the outdoors. In addition to organizing trips, The Backpacker also teaches courses in rock climbing. Jones said on Sundays they take the class to Crowder's Mountain and teach them "the basic essentials of rock craft." "We familiarize them with the equipment, teach the correct wa> to tie knots and other things," he said. ACCORDING TO JONES, The Backpacker places a tremendous emphasis on safety. Jones said 75 percent of the nAAnln IIIUA oi/tw * VTIIVF Oi?ll &U1 lUC UlCI5d ijtlil when they find it isn't as "daredevilish" as they thought. The most you can fall is 100 feet at any given time, said Jones, who has been climbing for two years. Each person in the class climbs with people who are at the same state of climbing development, Jones said. ATE STUDIO wood Drive -3960 kYp np *-** \ THE CURRENT WEIGHT CHAMPION. MON.-THURS. i n -y i . * fc^ XwE .vvvoo^ f I 1 i > \ I i r Gre the: > ...With Back-To-Schoc > That Accentuate ^ Subjects. Get a headstart on the school year. Look gr the bell rings for your At Great 'X', we k fill Open Columbia ma.. Student body spei shampoo, precision he Regularly i Offer good upon p registral i M??r - -a'V' , or a suppori student bod >1 Haircuts much a grea four Best contribute to 1 student. That's I the Student Bod' upcoming Learn how it fe eat before head together...1 first class. FrQm Qreat ,x now how haircutters. f HSSIkVaV! AAC ii n iwio? PRECISION HAIRCUTTERS 1 0:00-9:30 Monday-Sci turd ay OK! Announcina ? m i ?i BlVfV I rial rates ? Haircuts ar lircut and blow-dry. &19 SO ^ reservation of current s1 tion and student/facult> a fJR^' 'wmf : . a ^J^nnfflSHBl am I Arlsne Morgan ? OAMECOCK I rs y t haircut can tie body of a how we support v. 9 ' ?els to get your A/ith your hair. '...the precision haircut policy... enow tlAtO tudent/ faculty HD I