View Full Version : pack weight
2009ThruHiker
10-05-2008, 23:15
I will post my gear list soon, and my wifes....for thoughts on changes and missing items...but in the meantime I was wondering if 17.5 pounds is decent for my pack weight before food and water?:-?
It's only a good weight if you have everything you need to be at least safe. Comfort is up to your discretion.
My pack, empty, weighs 14 oz. For a week hike, including food and water for half a day it weighed an estimated 30 lbs. (For the Hundred Mile Wilderness). I carried what I considered to be the bare essentials - an alcohol stove with 16 oz. of fuel, an 8 ounce hammock, 1 lb. bug net, 1-1/2 lb. tarp with guylines, 1-1/2 lb. sleeping bag, fleece jacket, watch cap, short sleeved poly shirt, long sleeved "", long pants (for sleeping, instead of poly underwear), zip off pants (should have just taken shorts), Marmot Ion windshirt (no rain jacket or poncho- gambling on temps being above 60 degrees during the day), light gloves (for climbing Katahdin), basics (headlamp, knife, cook pot, spoon, cup, first aid kit, etc. I did carry a pair of sandals for river crossings - that was probably my one luxury.
As I indicated, a list would be required to make a judgement on that pack weight.
BookBurner
10-06-2008, 12:25
Yes, 17.5 lbs is very manageable. Lots of room to drop more weight if you care to, but you're at nice starting spot.
Blissful
10-06-2008, 13:15
It's only a good weight if you have everything you need to be at least safe. Comfort is up to your discretion.
As I indicated, a list would be required to make a judgement on that pack weight.
This is great advice.
sasquatch2014
10-06-2008, 13:24
It's only a good weight if you have everything you need to be at least safe. Comfort is up to your discretion.
My pack, empty, weighs 14 oz. For a week hike, including food and water for half a day it weighed an estimated 30 lbs. (For the Hundred Mile Wilderness). I carried what I considered to be the bare essentials - an alcohol stove with 16 oz. of fuel, an 8 ounce hammock, 1 lb. bug net, 1-1/2 lb. tarp with guylines, 1-1/2 lb. sleeping bag, fleece jacket, watch cap, short sleeved poly shirt, long sleeved "", long pants (for sleeping, instead of poly underwear), zip off pants (should have just taken shorts), Marmot Ion windshirt (no rain jacket or poncho- gambling on temps being above 60 degrees during the day), light gloves (for climbing Katahdin), basics (headlamp, knife, cook pot, spoon, cup, first aid kit, etc. I did carry a pair of sandals for river crossings - that was probably my one luxury.
As I indicated, a list would be required to make a judgement on that pack weight.
What is the weight of your bug suit? Just bust on ya. As Tinker can attest to I tend to pack way to heavy, often times its food that is the extra weight but i can say I have never gone hungry. For my recent trip south through SNP due to the water being tight at the first shelter and the hope to not have to buy from the waysides I had 7 plus days of food, full fuel (big bottle of WG), and 3.5 lt of water I was up at the mid to upper 40's. By the end of the hike cut a bit short day and half of food left and maybe 1/3 fuel I was upper 30's. I had more books with me than i really needed but i like the guide books and a book to read before bed.
stranger
10-11-2008, 22:27
17.5 lbs is a good weight minus food and water in my experience. I don't worry too much about pack weight, and I don't go to great lengths to cut every ounce either. My pack usually weighs about 14-17lbs without food and water and that works fine for me, I'm 5'10 and 170lbs.
Saying that, I rarely carry more than 3 days food, and usually average about 20 per day on a long hike. There are very few places on the AT where you "have" to go more than 50 miles without resupply. I generally carry about a liter of water.