Guys, I am standing on 45lb.

[Roee Dotan]

Guys, I will walk the AT with 45lb on my back, which is 20kg.
Including food, bag, water, etc..

Consider the fact that I am 1.80 in a good shape.

Will it be alright ? or you think it will be too much ?

[Peaks]

I probably started out around that weight, and carried most of it all the way.
So, as you go along, you will figure out what you want with you, and what you can do without. Hike your own hike, and don't worry about what others think about what you are carrying.

[Jack Tarlin]

You'll be fine. There's also an excellent chance that as your trip progresses, you'll discover ways to trim a few pounds; you may well end up hiking with less weight than this.

[Happy]

I probably started out around that weight, and carried most of it all the way.
So, as you go along, you will figure out what you want with you, and what you can do without. Hike your own hike, and don't worry about what others think about what you are carrying.

Why would you consider carrying that much weight?...I have my cigars, scotch and other vices and can't break 27 lbs. I just can't understand???

[Peaks]

Why would you consider carrying that much weight?...I have my cigars, scotch and other vices and can't break 27 lbs. I just can't understand???

Well, a quart plus of water, several days worth of food, 5 pound Kelty pack, fuel, etc. It justs adds up and up.

[jec6613]

45 lbs is easy to hit. A couple quarts of water, a quart of fuel adds up to almost 10 with even lightweight containers. 2 lbs a day of food adds up too. A wet and fully loaded weight of 45 lbs is easy to hit with 7 days food, fuel and water - all of which weighs almost 25 lbs. 45 lbs is the maximum weight, and that's fine. In fact, that's what I intend on carrying, and I usually carry much more (my espresso maker is my big vise and that, as you can imagine, adds up quickly)

[zammy]

And I thought it was me "against" all those light weight hikers with 13 lbs on their backs, now I see that I'm not alone and it's NORMAL to carry 35 lbs.

[mdjeeper]

for the past lord knows how many years, my pack weight has avg'd between 35-45 lbs, whether it was taking my old scout-troop out for a weekend, or pulling a two week section somewhere, i could probably lose a couple of pounds if i was only doing the A.T. or was a little more independently wealthy so I could buy gear just for the trip, but since I'm not almost all of the gear i have is for 4-season usage up here in new england which makes some of it a tad heavier

[Jaybird]

Guys, I will walk the AT with 45lb on my back, which is 20kg.Including food, bag, water, etc....Consider the fact that I am 180 in a good shape.Will it be alright ? or you think it will be too much ?

Roee

you should be fine!

i had approx same weight when i started section-hiking @ Springer Mtn(2002).............by Neel's Gap...i shipped approx 12 lbs home.


...If you havent used it in a day or two (besides your emergency supplies), you dont NEED it!


good luck with your hike!

[Blue Jay]

And I thought it was me "against" all those light weight hikers with 13 lbs on their backs, now I see that I'm not alone and it's NORMAL to carry 35 lbs.

Remember, like manufacturers "claimed" weight, what you feel when you actually pick up an ultralighters pack and what they claim on the web are two completely different things. After one claims to carry 25 pounds, I like to get up early and wait while they pack, what is clearly more than 25 lbs., then ask if I can pick it up. They smile and gracefully decline. It's inversely proportional to their estimates of a certain appendage.

[smokymtnsteve]

Remember, like manufacturers "claimed" weight, what you feel when you actually pick up an ultralighters pack and what they claim on the web are two completely different things. After one claims to carry 25 pounds, I like to get up early and wait while they pack, what is clearly more than 25 lbs., then ask if I can pick it up. They smile and gracefully decline. It's inversely proportional to their estimates of a certain appendage.

I agree 200% blue jay,, my pack weight is around 35-40, I drive a small purple ford escort wagon, (not a big pick-up) but my appendage is just fine, in an inversely proportional relationship to my car, as your "inverse proportion" applies to big pick up drivers too...or so I have heard.

[flyfisher]

After one claims to carry 25 pounds, I like to get up early and wait while they pack, what is clearly more than 25 lbs., then ask if I can pick it up. They smile and gracefully decline.

Blue Jay, You are certainly welcome to pick up my pack. It would be well worth the conversation around the shelter the night before. My load is not extreme ultralight (I do carry a hammock after all) But, please pick it up carefully, without jerking it like it weighs 40 pounds. The 10 oz pack is not up to that kind of abuse. (smiling gracefully)

Gear list this spring:

http://www.imrisk.com/packlistmar04.htm

[smokymtnsteve]

Blue Jay, You are certainly welcome to pick up my pack. It would be well worth the conversation around the shelter the night before. My load is not extreme ultralight (I do carry a hammock after all) But, please pick it up carefully, without jerking it like it weighs 40 pounds. The 10 oz pack is not up to that kind of abuse. (smiling gracefully)

Gear list this spring:

http://www.imrisk.com/packlistmar04.htm

WOW..you must have a BIG ONE to talk to BLUE JAY like that!

[flyfisher]

WOW..you must have a BIG ONE to talk to BLUE JAY like that!

Not at all! No extremes here. Not super ultralight, no extremes of anatomy. No crusade to get anyone to change. But facts are facts.

I just packed last week for a two day trip... outside air temperature started about 40 F and got down to 16 F. I weighed the pack just before I left, with food and water on board. 15.2 pounds.

Picture of me packing up in the morning is here:

http://www.imrisk.com/zaleskimarch04/P3120003_web.JPG

I would not advise someone to aim that low until they have tried a lot of things out on section hikes in all sorts of weather. But I would refrain from implying that no ultralight hikers are telling the truth. Just because some underestimate weight, does not mean that everyone does.

No disrespect to Blue Jay. Just calling his bluff.



Rick