We all indulge ourselves on simple overnights, where packs are lighter. Even a couple-days trip where weight still isn't that great, or where it's a hike in to a basecamp and dayhkes are the goal. Books, radio's, saws, camp chairs, bourbon, fishing gear, pistols, and yes even 22 oz hatchets. I've carried all of it (well, not the hatchet though I can stretch a bit to kind of get it - kind of).

But on a "classic backpack" (ie, one's hiking 5-25 miles per day for 5, 10, 15 days, everyday, self supported - like across the Bob Marshall), stuff starts to get winnowed out. Not talking goat/llama packing or pulk pulling.

Given the awesome amount of dead conifer in Montana, and given a very light saw will see one through, packing a hatchet across the Bob falls into the category of what I'd call stupid/funny chit (which is where this all started).

But if you're going to be dumb, it's good to be tough too.






“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery