How to achieve a state of weightlessness when backpacking
Replies: 6 - Last Post: Feb 23, 2013 6:49 AM Last Post By: vista4846
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How to achieve a state of weightlessness when backpacking
This one is for the physicists in our midst to ponder.There is a well known (you can Google studies that substantiate it) saying in wilderness backpacking circles that says, 'A pound on your feet equals 5 pounds on your back.' It refers to the amount of energy used (measured in calories) to lift one pound on your feet when walking being equal to amount of energy used to carry 5 pounds on your back.
So with that in mind, consider this. Suppose you start out in the morning with a backpack that weighs 15lbs. and wearing a pair of boots that weigh 6lbs. Four hours later you stop for lunch and before moving on, you take off the boots and a companion takes them and hands you a 2lb. pair of lightweight hiking boots to put on.
When you then carry on walking, that means you will feel as if you have removed 20lbs. from your back! (6-2=4x5=20) Since you are still only carrying a 15lb. pack you will feel as if you are carrying MINUS 5 lbs. Does this mean you will have achieved weightlessness? Will you defy gravity?
I've a feeling though that the physicists will say that a 'feeling' is not a scientific term. But what do they know, the experts used to say the earth was flat! There's only one way to find out, conduct the experiment! ;-)
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Ah - the Barefoot Traveller strikes again! :>))Just chipping in to say that, no matter what the weight of your boots, it's terribly important to choose ones that suit both your feet and the terrain. Otherwise you risk having nothing on your feet - because you're flat on your back while blisters - or even fractures - heal.. Choose suitability first, then you can be concerned about weight.
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When they crossed katzgar, they were capable of doing what they did. However, we have evolved since then for good or bad depending on your point of view. The Tarahumara group however are probably still capable of doing what our ancestors could do. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarahumara_peopleADVERTISEMENT
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