Backpacker elephant backpack

The Gear Shed
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Morning everybody…

Well I’m new here, and being antiquated I’m not very technologically compliant…

I don’t have a cell phone… I threw it in the loo… done and dusted…

I don’t do social media what’s up & all that, I only post on forums and do a teeny tiny bit on Face-book, so forgive me If I haven’t done a profile yet

Courtesy of a wonky Achilles tendon <result of a motorbike accident and 60 years under the belt, I I don’t hike or backpack… anymore, but I still do a lot of tent camping.

But that does not mean that I’ve not been hiking / backpacking… (I believe the fundies draw a distinction)?.. Way back in the late 70’s through to the late 1980’s…

Having said that, I also collect tents & camp cookers and have quite a substantial collection of both.

My tent collection runs at about 28 and in there I have 2 Marachel Cyclometers a 101 and a 300, 3… Yes 3 Backpacker Kestrel’s… 2 kestrel III’s both with the Y adaptor, and a Kestrel II with a Y adaptor and an extension.

I also have a 5x5 SA Army tent, and do know how to pitch & break it alone…

My camp cooker collection, well that’s huge, ranging from ultra lightweight flat-pack backpacking braai to brand new caravan stove and oven

Included in this rather eclectic collection is a WW II field issue petrol stove,(Complete) a Trangia an Optimus 8 and a 1970’s SA Army issue Cadac 2 burner field issue stove… (Complete) & brand new when I got it… and an almost new and complete Globetrotter Gaz… Talking of Gaz I have examples of all three the canister systems the prick, the screw in and the turn & clip.

So If anyone wants I’ll gladly put up pictures and do posts.

OK so why am I here?

Nostalgia I think…

See, for 40 years I’ve been trying to replace the kit that I did have when I originally outfitted myself back in the late 70’s.

back when I was ripped, good looking but as poor as a church-mouse… Now I’m just poor…

What I had was the Backpacker Boulder (75L) a beige kestrel II (no Y & no extension) a backpacker Benerderm 3 seasons sleeping bag and the Globetrotter cooker & billy set

For each of us we swear by our own things, and I’m a Backpacker fasn… Yip, I know it’s antiquated, but so am I…

Heavyish, but utterly bulletproof, I can tell the tale.

So this weekend I got me mitts on this beauty. A backpacker Elephant, from the mid 70’s to mid 80’s… Guys, this is 40 years old… Look at the condition!

Perhaps one of you fundies can tell me what the literage is, and confirm that the material is codura?

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1 Like
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That’s some cool old school gear. I think the Elephant is 115l, which is rather substantial. Backpacker actually still makes a version.

https://www.backpacker.co.za/collections/hiking/products/elephant-115

1 Like
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Sorry for late reply, haha! Canyon was 60 liter, Boulder 75 liter and Elephant 85 liter - my brother bought an Elephant. I still have a Thar, 65 liter and expandable to 90 liter - closer to modern designs. Material is what Backpacker called K code Cordura.
I’d love to buy a Backpacker Kestrel, could never afford one?

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Do you mean the tent Backpacker Kestrel?

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Yes

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@Christiaan Are you still wanting one?

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Yes, I would be interested. Christiaan.ballot@gmail.com

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Hi guys,

I bought me elephant in 1988 from Backpacker. I joined a club at Kovsie land called Tekkies and we had a few hikes. The Elephant is 120 litres but you should watch yourself not to overload on a 3 day trip. I later took the elephant on a world tour, it works well. Still my favorite back pack.

Regards

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A 120l backpack for a 3 day trip? What do you put inside there? A butler?

1 Like
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You know what’s the nice thing about a 120 liter backpack…. It’s a 120 liter backpack, all the padding and straps are ment to carry 120liter weight. So,to answer your question, I walk with great comfort and support when I do a 3 day hike. One do need discipline when packing but you get quickly into the habit of traveling light. How many pair of jeans do you take on a hike?

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I had a Backpacker Boulder, which I bought to take on a gap year overseas back in 1990 - great backpack. I sold that years later and then bought a Backpacker Badger 65 intending to do some SA overnight hikes but I only ever used it for hikes over 2 nights, basically the Fish River Canyon and another in the Berg. It’s been packed away securely since then and is in excellent condition. The time has come to start decluttering, does anyone on the forum have any idea what price I should put on the backpack to sell it on?

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Hi there, first of all, where are you situated?

Secondly, These backpacks are oldschool, I joined a club in the 80’s when I was still studying and our biggest supporter was Backpacker. About all my gear were Backpacker. I still believe Backpacker is one of the better builds than others. I bought a backpack in Austria that I hiked with and sold it after the hike, it was just not supporting my hips like Backpacker did. I traveled through Europe with my Backpacker Elephant 120 liters( mostly empty on the go and full on return) My base was London. I still have my Backpacker Elephant. I also have Karrimor 65l.

Are you sure you will never go on a hike again, if sure, I’m in Pretoria, I will be interested in the backpack. Will you PM me on WhatsApp, my number is 076 041 3775, Chris