Portable Scope For Backpacking?

Does anyone have a suggestion for a decent & yet still portable telescope to take backpacking? Many thanks in advance,
Regards,
Chas Argent

A Tak FC-60. Remove the dew-shield and it's smaller than a water bottle. Stuff it in a tube sock and stick it in your pocket. It weighs 3 lbs! You can mount it on anything. Or, with a low-power ep, hand-hold it like a monocular and view straight through. And it's simply world class. Perfect optics and focuser.

You might consider an Astro Rubinar. This 4" F10 Russian Mak weighs 4 3/4 lb and is 5 1/4" in diameter by 8" long when stored inside it's dewcap. It can be used as a telescope or a telephoto lens. It is light enough to use with any tripod. With a small modification it makes a nice macro lens.

I've read Chase that quite a few people have gone packaging with the Tele Vue Pronto or Ranger ;-). In fact, it goes in their backpack along with a small photo tripod.

Ron B[ee]

I'm getting in late on this thread but I used to backpack every summer in the areas N of Durango, CO. I always too a 4.25" f/4 tube reflector and one EP. Total weight was about 3 pounds, and that was all I wanted to carry on multi-day hikes at 10-11K'. It rode rolled inside my sleeping bag ground pad, strapped on top of the pack. I used it by sitting on the pad with my legs crossed under me and the scope cradled in my arms. Yeah, a mount would have been nice but like I said, I wanted to travel light. Views of the MW at 9K' are wonderful in a little richest field scope like a 4.25" f/4. My .02. Let us know what you decide and how it goes on the trip.
Bill

Consider:

http://astromart.com/messages.asp?message_id=50852

Portable-izing this design looks to produce a backpackable system. Cut weight to the minimum.

The rocker looks good to sit on a backpack frame.