I read a lot of fantasy and I've seen criticism of the way horses are treated in the genre but I've never seen and criticism of the way backpacking is treated. I don't know anything about horses so I can't really say much about that. They look big and scary and they tear up the trails and horse people seem to bring a lot of garbage which they leave in the wilderness, but that's a whole 'nother argument.
I love fantasy novels and that probably has something to do with why I really love the adventure of backpacking. It's nice to go out and have an adventure once in a while, rather than just reading about it, and backpacking feels like the closest thing to adventure I ever get to have.
So, here's some advice to help you authors keep it real. Your protagonist has been sitting around for a week or a month or his whole life and you throw several weeks worth of supplies on his/her back and woosh her out into the wilderness with the phrase, "she shouldered her pack". Ummm, no. You don't shoulder fifty or sixty pounds easily with modern backpacks and your character's backpack is made of leather and buckles, not nylon and adjustable straps with an aluminum frame.
After training for it and two weeks of actual backpacking in the wilderness, I still have a hard time getting my pack on and getting into a standing position. So does Andy, and that's saying something as he's always in better shape than I am. There are some strategies we use. If there is a convenient log or rock you can lug the thing onto that and strap the pack on in an almost standing position. That's the easiest. If not you can sit down on the ground and strap it on there. Then you have to struggle to stand up. I ussually need help but Andy can do it. Or one person can prop the pack up on his/her knee and help the other into it.
I have other complaints but that's all I have time for right now. If you care, let me know and I'll elaborate.
3 comments:
Actually, mine doesn't have an aluminum frame either, come to think of it, but anyway...
The epic journey in basic fantasy novels leaves out quite a few details of outdoor life. One of my favorite authors, David Eddings, deals with all that stuff quite well. He makes a large group and gives them enough horses and wagons to carry supplies.
Some other writers cheat a bit...like trail bread that only takes a bit or two to sustain the heartiest warrior for a week or completely waterproof cloaks.
Travis: I've thought about that but there are other things too. Like every group, on horseback or not, seems to bring cooking paraphernalia. I don't think they are using aluminum cookware either. True, they don't need stove fuel but their packs for the weeks or months on the trail have to be at least as heavy as mine.
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