total eqipment weight poll...

[Bearpaw]

Why figure it without food, fuel and the normal amount of water you carry? It all has weight and you do have to carry it with you, so it is part of the weight picture.

True, overall weight counts most, but to compare a pack with 7 days of food and a gallon of water to cover a 20 mile waterless stretch to a weekend pack with food for a day and half isn't a very effective comparison. Every thing else in the pack may be the same. This is where base weight helps folks to really look at what they are carrying and make choixes about what can help them reduce their gear load.

No if you carry a gallon of water when there are water sources every 4 miles and pack 3 pounds of canned food per day, your overall weight will look a lot different no matter your base weight..............

[_terrapin_]

If your pack is too heavy for the distance or style of backpacking you do, I can see being interested in reducing the weight, but it seems that it has turned into an obsession with the desire to know the weight of others packs.

It can be obsessive, of course. Like everything else. But trimming pack weight has been very helpful for me. At age 37, I averaged 11 miles per day with a heavy pack and consequently quit my attempted thru. This year, at age 55 and with a lighter pack, I averaged 15 miles per day, and finished the trail. Of course, pack weight wasn't the whole story, but it made a big difference.

[jnohs]

i am not obsessed with other peoples pack weight but was just making sure I wasnt the heavies pack out there. I actually fall right where i want. in the middle witch is good for me . it helps assess the weight of stuff i bringring a lot of stuff and I still fall in the middle so now I know I have enough stuff not to much, not to little. -+probably

[Furlough]

I honestly do not know. I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss. I have never weighed what I carry. I just carry what I think I need based on where, when and how long. One of these days I will have to break down and buy one of those fish scales to weigh things with.

Furlough

[jrwiesz]

what does everyones total equipment weigh in at. I guess this means everthing except you and the the clothes on your back.

This is going to be fun to watch!

[nitewalker]

I honestly do not know. I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss. I have never weighed what I carry. I just carry what I think I need based on where, when and how long. One of these days I will have to break down and buy one of those fish scales to weigh things with.

Furlough

im with you on this one. i carry what i think i may need.. day one my pack is heavier than day 4 and that is the only stat i can come up...

[Ghosthiker]

Well, I look at weights more now than I used too. If I am looking at other/new gear, I'll factor in the weight a bit more, but i won't go shopping, just to save a few ounces at a time. But I also factor in durability and other considerations, so sometimes that costs weight.

[DAKS]

another fun poll might be to ask how many own,use and are obsessed with a digital scale to weigh their gear?! i'm not obsessed, i can stop/quit any time i want? i find myself messing with my gear more this time of year when i get the "cabin fever!" come spring, summer and fall i obsess much less as i just throw everything in the pack! i think my pack weight is about 11lbs.??? it might weigh less this year if i can get my hands on some of that booze to go stuff that was on another thread.

[_terrapin_]

I've got a small digital postal scale that I used extensively for last year's trip planning. I can't help myself in this regard. I'm an engineer.

[Jim Adams]

I've got a small digital postal scale that I used extensively for last year's trip planning. I can't help myself in this regard. I'm an engineer.

Oh yeah....I never knew. What is the longest train that you've driven?

geek

[Jim Adams]

why not count fuel also? the stove is useless w/o it.

geek

ps. 14-16lbs.

[_terrapin_]

why not count fuel also? the stove is useless w/o it.

That's a question for the alky stove weenies.

[GGS2]

why not count fuel also? the stove is useless w/o it.

I think the distinction should be fixed vs variable weights. Thus no fuel, food, water, but everything else from the skin out, dry and clean. This is consistent with the idea of base weight. Then you can add in various supplies for a weight between points, or for a length of time between resupplies.

One must assume a certain season and other environmental variables. I presume the question is aimed at an AT all weather trip, either section or thru. Thus three seasons, sea level to sub-alpine.

[SlowLightTrek]

I've got a small digital postal scale that I used extensively for last year's trip planning. I can't help myself in this regard. I'm an engineer.

I got a cheap mechanical food scale from walmart for about $5. Not perfectly accurate but close enough.

[DAKS]

to answer my own question, i too own a digital postal scale. it's in the garage right next to my dremel tool!

[_terrapin_]

I think the distinction should be fixed vs variable weights. Thus no fuel, food, water, but everything else from the skin out, dry and clean. This is consistent with the idea of base weight.

But Geek's point is well-taken. Calculation from base weight (IMO) explains the overwhelming popularity of alcohol stoves. You can point and say, "look, my stove weighs less than an ounce!" and it's no lie.

[GGS2]

But Geek's point is well-taken. Calculation from base weight (IMO) explains the overwhelming popularity of alcohol stoves. You can point and say, "look, my stove weighs less than an ounce!" and it's no lie.

Yeah, I know. That's why I am looking for a really light, spark free wood stove system. No fuel weight. That's also why I think there should be two weights reported, but you have to be really strict with your definitions or it doesn't really compare apples to apples. On the other hand, it's really just a pissing contest, no?

You should also report how overweight you are, what your skin-in base weight should be, how many hiker-fuel calories you get per mile, rate of consumption...

[Bearpaw]

But Geek's point is well-taken. Calculation from base weight (IMO) explains the overwhelming popularity of alcohol stoves. You can point and say, "look, my stove weighs less than an ounce!" and it's no lie.

Go Esbit. 1/2 ounce of fuel to boil a pint of water. No fuel bottle. No measuring and you can blow a tab out. If I go beyond esbit, I'm going cannister, not alcohol.

[Bearpaw]

I've got a small digital postal scale that I used extensively for last year's trip planning. I can't help myself in this regard. I'm an engineer.

I got one because we need it for my math and science classes and I was able to use money from the small allowance we get from the school system for it.

When I remember to bring it home, it's fun to check out the weight of gear. Sometimes I'm surprised how overweight gear is, compared to the manufacturer's published weights. Lying sacks!!

[jnohs]

i just step on my home body scale then step on it with my gear on subtract one from another and there you go. I do not weigh individual objects. but i do acount for weight now when purchasing items.