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Vintage Camping and Backpacking Times

The 1970s was the golden decade of backpacking! Eric Ryback hiked the PCT and the CDT, and wrote two books that fired our passion to chase his footsteps. The evolution of camping gear was moving forward at incredible speed with new technology, ideas, fabrics, and equipment to outfit the adventurous spirit in all of us chasing the dream of the wilderness experience, over 30 years ago. This is a glimpse into the golden age of backpacking, and into my closet of dusty and moldy old camping gear. I'm also adding some cast iron cooking gear used in the early 1900s in old logging camps.
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SVEA 123 Made in Sweden Logo
"SVEA 123 Made in Sweden" Logo		 Sievert Logo stamped on SVEA 123 pot handle
Sievert Logo stamped on SVEA 123 pot handle		 Cliff Lake Campsite - Marble Mtn Wilderness
Cliff Lake Campsite - Marble Mtn Wilderness		 My 1973 Svea 123 at work in the 21st century.
My 1973 Svea 123 at work in the 21st century.
My 1973 Svea 123 at work in the 21st century.
My 1973 Svea 123 at work in the 21st century.		 Rare rock fish captured at Paradise Lake
Rare rock fish captured at Paradise Lake		 Paradise Lake USFS fire pit built in 1932
Paradise Lake USFS fire pit built in 1932		 Craig and me at Portland Arch
Craig and me at Portland Arch
Josiah at Giant City SP, Illinois
Josiah at Giant City SP, Illinois		 Our Eipperformance hanglider, like 1973
Our Eipperformance hanglider, like 1973		 Dana Design Terraplane
Dana Design Terraplane		 North Face Westwind tent
North Face Westwind tent
North Face Westwind tent
North Face Westwind tent		 North Face Westwind tent
North Face Westwind tent		 North Face Westwind tent at nite
North Face Westwind tent at nite		 North Face Westwind tent at nite
North Face Westwind tent at nite
North Face Westwind tent at nite
North Face Westwind tent at nite		 Vintage Kelty backpack seen in Uintas
Vintage Kelty backpack seen in Uintas		 Vintage 1970s Lowa Alpspitz Mountaineering boots
Vintage 1970s Lowa Alpspitz Mountaineering boots		 1970s Lowa Boot Logo
1970s Lowa Boot Logo
Mad Monte Dodge on Mt Whitney 1977
Mad Monte Dodge on Mt Whitney 1977		 Backpacking Equipment Buyer's Guide 1978
Backpacking Equipment Buyer's Guide 1978		 Kelty Serac on the Caribou Lake trail during my first hike in the Alps.
Kelty Serac on the Caribou Lake trail during my first hike in the Alps.		 1976 2008 Lower Devils Lookout.jpg
1976 2008 Lower Devils Lookout.jpg
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Edwin Parrott 17-Jun-2014 21:33
I was looking through a copy of the summer edition of Explore magazine this week.A group of people there decided to ,I guessed,try out what you might say would be considered retro or vintage camping gear.One person found,if I recall correctly,at a garage sale an external frame backpack.I think it was made by Coleman.It was orange with two main compartments and the four pockets on the two sides.Also right below the bottem compartment it had the wide band that you could tighten with the twin female braket(if you are familiar with the old style equipment)I had to kind of snicker to myself because it was the same color and style as MY first pack from the seventies.What kind of surprised me was the price that they paid for it.At todays cost an average pack will run about $100 and up.The old stuff still works great,even better sometimes.They paid a whopping,are you ready,$2 for it.Just goes to show,you you sometimes do not have to spend a huge pile of money on new stuff if you can find old stuff that still works just as well.
Nancy 10-Jan-2013 23:50
TOM or all. Has anyone had any information on the Stopple Kook-Kit Co. manufactured in Alma, MI I have a little camping stove. Just asking
L.Bowman 17-Aug-2012 21:38
I have a wood backpack rack stamped The Sporter Back Pack Rack,Porter Hart Mfg Co. Can anyone out there tell me what it may be worth to a collector....I have no idea what era it is from...help!
Marcus, Sweden 09-May-2012 19:01
I love these photos from an era before I was born.
Deems Burton26-Feb-2012 23:32
Mr Buffy, Sorry it is a Sierra Wilderness Tent, I bought it new in 1974. Short rear, tall front, zip cook floor, no tunnel door. It's a SD Wilderness. You sound knowledgeable, but I'm right on this one.
buffystanley 26-Feb-2012 21:43
The tent you describe as a Sierra Designs Wilderness is actually the Glacier. The Wilderness is shorter in the rear(no rear entrance) and came with a zip front entrance standard and a tunnel front as an extra cost option. Tunnel entrance SD Wilderness tents are extremely rare.
tony in nor cal 01-Feb-2012 00:58
I just dug out some North Face catalogs from the sixties they are classics for sure also found an optimus stove some gas cans for it and some voyaguer directicema climbing shoes that my dad bought for me @$ 19 back then. I grew up in the bay area and used to visit the S.F and Palo Alto stores. I would like to post some pics but am not able to, just want to connect with folks with simular interests.
william K. 31-Dec-2011 17:15
me again, contact me @ william2010bc@gmail.com for info on the 3-man overnighter tent.
regards, william vintage: Eddie Bauer
William Knuitson 31-Dec-2011 17:11
My father has a vintage three-man overnighter Eddie Bbauer tent. Coolest tent I've ever seen. Hard to find any info on it though... popular science 1972 had a pic of a two man version. any help out there???
Guest 04-Oct-2011 02:50
Hi Carla- How many zippers do you feel need to be replaced? Let me know if you'd be interested in selling the tent... Thanks, John johnlmcneil@comcast.net
Guest 28-Aug-2011 18:00
I still own and have it hanging in my house, the first year Kelty Tioga (not full sack) backpack. I bought it at Kelty's store in Glendale, where they displayed the old packs used by those who hiked the long trails. Too bad China has taken over these stuff as the gear was really durable and did what you wanted it to do when you needed it. And I stil have my stove too. David
Carla 31-Jul-2011 22:43
Hi, I have the 1979 North Face Pole Sleeve Oval Tent like the Blue and Yellow. Needs zippers replaced. Is it worth the trouble and cost of that compared to the same kind today? I have no idea what a new one like this would cost. Look forward to anyones comment here. Thank you. C Lee
John McNeil 10-Jul-2011 03:38
I just picked up an older (1970's) Sierra Designs Glacier? tent. Double "A" frame with a triangular door on one end and a tunnel door on the other. The seller told me the zippers were broken, but 3 minutes with a pair of pliers firmed up the sliders so that they worked like new again. Excellent condition otherwise! I'm thinking about going to Ebay with it; anyone here interested in it before I do?
John McNeil 10-Jul-2011 03:37
I just picked up an older (1970's) Sierra Designs Glacier? tent. Double "A" frame with a triangular door on one end and a tunnel door on the other. The seller told me the zippers were broken, but 3 minutes with a pair of pliers firmed up the sliders so that they worked like new again. Excellent condition otherwise! I'm thinking about going to Ebay with it; anyone here interested in it before I do?
John McNeil 10-Jul-2011 03:35
I just picked up an older (1970's) Sierra Designs Glacier? tent. Double "A" frame with a triangular door on one end and a tunnel door on the other. The seller told me the zippers were broken, but 3 minutes with a pair of pliers firmed up the sliders so that they worked like new again. Excellent condition otherwise! I'm thinking about going to Ebay with it; anyone here interested in it before I do?
Tom Maring 03-Jul-2011 19:43
I have a Stopple kook kit made in Alma, Mich I think in the early 1900's
Any Collectors?
mark 29-Jun-2011 20:01
I have a pair of vasque boots late 70's 11.5 (ebay) don't fit,like more like 11.
don't want the ebay hassel, like to find them a good home.
Will miller 27-Jun-2011 04:42
I've found an older north face tent, free standing dome with a "stove"hole on the floor
And two port hole exits . What do I have??
Margaret 03-May-2011 22:33
I have a cool large old framed color photograph of two men and their tents and other equipment with an impressive mountain face just above them. They are using wooden snowshoes and other old gear that makes me think it is from the 1940s or 1950s. Any interest in this photo? I'm looking for a new home for it. I can send a photo. Thanks
holly 02-Apr-2011 19:23
Need vintage vasque hiking or mountaineering boots. 9.5 women's narrow. Thanks
Mark Shipley 27-Aug-2010 03:11
Have an old stubai ice axe and was wondering how old it was.
Andy 24-Jun-2010 21:43
Hi if anyone is looking for an authentic rucksack I have one on Ebay this week
Item number: 350369838206 (uk)
I am looking for an authentic anorak smock-pullover from the same era - possible swap or part x please let me know Cheers Andy (Guest)
Ray 29-May-2010 05:09
I have a used - though still solid - North Face Pole Sleeve Oval tent that's been to six of he seven continents.

I'm thinking it needs to get passed on to someone who'd be interested in it.

Make me an offer.

precambrian@gmail.com
christopher 14-Nov-2009 16:37
Great pics! I'm looking for ANY one of these to buy: North Face Himalayan Hotel, Himalayan 47, or Pole Sleeve Oval. If anyone knows of anyone wanting to sell please contact me at cjwaller@yahoo.com. I just can't find a new tent that has the size/weatherproofness of these beauties! thank you!
Steve 28-Sep-2009 20:54
I am looking for a photo of a 1996 REI Barracks tent. I am interested in the type of poles they used.
Marie Sansone 24-Jun-2009 20:55
Very much enjoyed your vintage camping and backpacking gallery, and referred to it in my June 24, 2009 blog post on vintage and retro bicycling and camping gear.
V.D.HAGGARDIII 16-Dec-2008 07:09
old north face tents are ---> art ------> like karmantra , i collect them , and use them , i have all the ones he listed , but my collection has got seriously ----> out of control ----> i now have lost count of them -------> somewheres over 60 ? -----> i would hate to say that i am hoarding them , but , i try to use them ----> in a rotation ------> it feels a lot better to be in a usa tent than a ----> chinese tent ------> when camping in the USA !!! -------> PEACE
karmantra 07-Nov-2008 06:22
Love looking at the NF tents--I have the Pole Sleeve Oval, three Oval Intentions, a North Star, VE 23, 24, & 25, plus a Skeeter 23--also the A-frame Sierra & Dandelion tents--love the old gear! Thanks for the pictures!
Paul Mags 04-Nov-2008 22:04
I love the articles! Thx for sharing.
Monte Dodge04-Nov-2008 03:05
NIce job!!!!!! v
Robert Corn 19-Aug-2008 02:05
I have two old Gerry , Boulder Co Day packs. They heave metal zippers and leather tabs. Also they have metal frames located on the outdise of the pack that snap on. Do you know of anyone tha can tell me about these packs and what they might be worth to a collector?
Ron Horloff23-Mar-2008 00:05
Very nice collection, that brings back fine memories.
Ron
Barry Ailetcher22-Mar-2008 03:20
A real neat gallery brings back good times I can't hike anymore but I sure as hell miss it I didn't use a lot of Rei stuffmost of my packs were gregory and Hall tents
Rae 20-Oct-2007 23:37
Great seeing some of the equipment touted as 'old' that I remember seeing on the store shelf as new when I was in college.

BTW, anyone out the interested in purchasing a use North Face Pole Sleeve Oval?
Monte Dodge09-Jun-2007 16:36
Nice collection. In a few more years , hikers will look at this stuff like we look at the stuff Mallory and Irvining used on Everest in 1924.. V
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