It's common in Big Bend for people to drop their main packs while doing quick ascents of peaks. Due to a problem with bears raiding these packs the rangers installed bear-proof lockers common pack-stashing areas. People still hide their packs though, I'm guessing to avoid thieves.

As for writing your name on the pack, that was something we did in Boy Scouts. I still see it these days, though usually on the side towards the body. It can only be read when it's off the person.

-Blast

p.s. someone mentioned not tramping around too much so as to not cover up tracks. That makes a lot of sense, too.