Hackagranny - the Backpack You Didn't Know You Needed

This project is about building a cheap, sturdy, easy, reliable frame backpack. If you're not familiar with this kind of backpack this instructable is also to convince you to build one and discover the endless possibilities of this piece of equipment.

Frame backpack versus not-a-frame-backpack? All depends on what you do or what you're going to go. If you're trekking tentstyle go for a 60 or 80 litres adjustable 'classic' backpack. If you're on supply/work/harvest adventure go for a frame backpack. The first has it's limits, the second has none.

A framepack is one of these stuff things I've been wanting to build for many years, one of these projects I set aside, thought about, started somehow and set aside again. When a project looks too easy it's paradoxically difficult to catch the right angle of attack. Wood, aluminium or plastic? It's gotta be light it's gotta be sturdy. New or repurposed? It's gotta be creative it's gotta be totally me. Long runs or a guerilla build? I love when it's deadly simple. KISS, you know. Keep It Stupid Simple, life is already complicated enough.

But that was before. That was before I ran into a granny and saw the light. That was before I knew the solution was right there.

I needed that aluminium walker.

Supplies

A walker is nothing but a frame mounted upside down. There are possibly many ways to get one but I chose to set up a granny trap. Nursing homes are great places to spot grannys and granpas in their natural environment. Hot spots of paleodiversity. You'll notice they have particular times during the day they'll come outside for a walk. Patience is key. Lure them with cookies and whisky. Their eyesight may be bad but their taste for good things is still standing. They lived the war, they might have forgotten the taste of good stuff but curiosity kills the cat. They know how to party. Wait for the franzy and give it your best shot.

I was lucky that day. Got three walkers in a row and nobody was faster than me.

Next thing you'll need is an old backpack, that one you were so comfortable with, the one with the broken zippers, thàt one.

Also handy is some paracord, a piece of scrap plywood and a handful of autoscrews.

Step 1: Assembling

If you thought getting these walkers was the easy part, wait until you're ten minutes further. It's all pretty straight forward, kiss is the new rock 'n roll. Cut that piece of plywood to the size of the frame, srew both together, fix that frame to your backpack and start dreaming of wild adventures.

Step 2: Test Run

I needed this frame backpack to get my axes and gear into the woods and to get out of it loaded with treasures. So I stacked some wood and my standard good to go cutters onto it and did what I do best. I started running.

It felt exactly how I hoped it would feel. Pretty much comfortable given it's over 20 pounds, and overall satisfied with this zero dollar new piece of equipment.

Ready for the woods it was.

Step 3: Hill Run

First time in the woods aka North Frances Black Hills. Introducing my mate to axe skills, testing a whole bunch of axes, focus on posture, balance, safety and responsible harvest. We had a great day and got home with a nice piece of birch that would have been a pain to transport without my converted walker.

Cookies and whisky, don't forget.

Step 4: Litter Run

Last time I used it was last week. Our car broke a while ago and instead of accepting a lil' help from my friends I decided to go get these two bags of cat litter all by myself. I'll never ever forget these images of Nepali porters many years ago, hauling loads up to more than 100 pounds up these mountains at 4000m altitude. Even tho ethics might have changed now and even tho agreements have been made, images of overloaded Sherpas and other ethnic groups continue to be posted every trekking season again.

Respect to these people, if they can carry their stuff I won't complain about mine.

One walker, one old backpack and 72 pounds over 6 kilometers. This thing works.

Next time I'll use it will probly be on a multiday trip. Add a watertight bag into the equation and you're good to go.

Try it, and let me know how it turned out. Walkers are the new sexy.