Kelty Packs: Born in the Sierra

Patent Pending Blog: “Dick Kelty grew up hiking in the Sierra Nevada of California. This a moutain range 300 miles in length, studded with 14,000′ peaks, and 10,000′ passes, a land of mild weather, and awsome alpine scenery. The only thing keeping people from enjoying it was the terrible packs of the day, which only Navy Seal types could carry for more than a day hike. Dick was inspired to build a better pack, and in 1952 borrowed $500 to go into the pack business. He cut the aluminum frame pieces, and welded them together to form the first aluminum frame for a backpack. His wife Nena sewed the nylon packs, another first, in the kitchen. The first years they sold 29 packs, followed by 90 packs, followed by 500 packs, and soon had a thriving mail order business going from their home. In five years, Dick quite his carpentry business, and made packs full time.”