I'm headed out for my first section hike of the season - 8 days in North Carolina. Super pumped. I'm a relatively new hiker, just did my first real section hike last summer (about 60 miles in the 100 mile wilderness in Maine). Having a blast hiking and hope to continue for a long time.
I'm pretty happy with my gear, I just struggle getting everything in the bag. I have:
- Osprey 65 backpack
- a microlite tent from LL Bean
- LL Bean 20 degree bag
- Jetboil Stove
- Platypus Gravity Water Filter System
- Rei Women's Core lite sleeping pad
I know I could go lighter with my base gear and probably will at some point when money allows. But for now this is what I have.
Any tips on packing more compactly? It's all in there, including food, clothes, medical stuff and day to day stuff. It's just packed to the brim. Is that normal?
My clothes are all in a stuff sack, all food is in a stuff sack, and I have a couple smaller sacks with the medical, kitchen, etc stuff. I've tried really hard to cut back.
Please don't recommend new gear that's lighter and more compact. That will just bum me out since I can't get it right now.
I'm going to go through it all again tomorrow, but welcome any advice before I attack the pack again.