My backpack weighs 200lbs-HELP!

[rolling thunder]

I don't get it! I packed everything I was supposed to pack for a thru hike, but I still have about 13 items left to pack and I have absolutely no room for them! And they are some of my main items, like the stove and gas, tent, floor mat, sleeping bag, rain coat, sandals, water filter-to name a few. And to make things worse, my packback weighs about 200lbs already! I got nervous about being out for about five or six months, so I packed the kitchen sink. Sould I take it out? Okay, I really didn't pack it, but it really feels like I did...including the bathtub! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE HELP ME! Gods willing, I'm starting my hike in mid-April, going NB and I am overloaded with stuff! But it's stuff I was told I needed. HELP ME!

Sincerely, grateful, most appreciative,
RT

[Bags4266]

Don't forget to pack your car for when you approach a trailhead. It will come in handy to reach a town for supplies.

[Ladytrekker]

Are you hiking NOBO? If you are on your way to Springer stop by Neels Gap in Georgia at the Walasi-Y and let them repack your pack and bring some money to pay for mailing it all home.

Other than that idea make a list of what your are taking and get your hands on a scale (postal or) and put items and weights on a list on this forum and you will plenty of feedback. Your main items must be heavy and I bet you are taking way to many clothes. You learn to wear your hiking clothes and then a dry set for sleeping in then when in town you peel off the dirty clothes and hit the nearest laundry mat.

Toiletries can be limited to biodegradeable soap and a toothbrush and toothpaste learn to live without everything else.

Just create list and you will all the feedback you need

[DLANOIE]

Give us a run down of what it is you plan on packing and we can help you eliminate things you wont need to carry.

[Bags4266]

Come on, really...200lbs and he hasn't packed a stove , gas, tent, floor mat, sleeping bag, rain coat, sandals, water filter. This guy is either kidding or will be going home at Neels Gap.

[flemdawg1]

Come on, really...200lbs and he hasn't packed a stove , gas, tent, floor mat, sleeping bag, rain coat, sandals, water filter. This guy is either kidding or will be going home at Neels Gap.

Cast iron skillet (he might want some eggs, pancakes and bacon), 4 lb sleeping mattress, afew pairs of blue jeans, 8lb logging boots (because he's been told he'll need to get another pair before its over), some cans of chili, a twelve pack of bud. a 10" TV/weather radio, a snow suit....


Yeah maybe you're right. We're being messed with.

[The Weasel]

Come on, really...200lbs and he hasn't packed a stove , gas, tent, floor mat, sleeping bag, rain coat, sandals, water filter. This guy is either kidding or will be going home at Neels Gap.

Please advise arrival date at Neels Gap so I can be standing by the hiker box for first pick on gear.

TW

[Old Hiker]

Best way for me to cut down on what I thought I needed was to do some long-term hikes first. I'm a kitchen-sink packer as well. As I did each section hike (week longs), I'd look at what I used and didn't use. I'd either find a smaller, lighter, etc. version of what I DID use or I tossed what I did NOT use.

Hammock instead of a tent
Pocket rocket instead of my trusty Peak 1 Dual Fuel
Fleece bag instead of a full sized one: warm weather only!
2 64 ounce juice bottles for water instead of 3 or 4
Etc. Etc. Etc.

It's still hard: what if this happens or what if that happens???? You can "What if" forever and be so loaded down you can't move.

My pack is down to about 194.6 pounds instead of 200 now!

[sbhikes]

You aren't packing for a 6 month trip. You are packing for a couple days trip. Only what you need to get to the next town. You're not going to the moon. Take a look at gear lists on trailjournals and backpackinglight.com. You are obviously overpacking on clothing and toiletries if you haven't even put any real gear in yet.

[flemdawg1]

here's all you need, leave the rest of the crap at home:
http://www.backpacker.com/november_0...s/12659?page=4

[rolling thunder]

Give us a run down of what it is you plan on packing and we can help you eliminate things you wont need to carry.

Well, lets see. I have pots and pans, medications, vitimins, lotions and creams, clothes, hiking tools and utensils, journals (2), soap, towels and really thats all. My back pack is made by KELTY and it is 5000 cubit inches and 82 L and stuffed to the compacity! I am a female first time hiker.

Thanks for the help!
RT

[grayfox]

RT, don't panic--it's going to be OK.

First, realize that if you have never shouldered a pack before, and even if yo have, it will feel crushig for the first few days even with a light load. Your body will adjust to carrying the pack.

Second, heed the above advice. Make a list. Weigh things and try to eliminate or substitute lighter versions for what you have chosen.

Third, your pack will be as heavy as your fear. Try to think abot what you are so scared of and find a way to calm those fears.

Last, Neels Gap will help you when you get there. If you do not think you can get there on foot, then consider starting your hike there. I think your shuttle or ride will take you there to start.

You can do this. Just lay your stuff out and start with the basics--good shoes, shelter, food, rain gear--all the rest is just comfort stuff mainly.

[Bags4266]

People PLEASE, how can you actually entertain this guy. It's physically impossible to put 200lbs of gear in your pack!!! Not to mention the big items left out.
PT Barnum-There's a sucker born every minute

[rolling thunder]

Come on, really...200lbs and he hasn't packed a stove , gas, tent, floor mat, sleeping bag, rain coat, sandals, water filter. This guy is either kidding or will be going home at Neels Gap.

Hey! I'm a lady and this is my first time hiking. LoL

[rolling thunder]

People PLEASE, how can you actually entertain this guy. It's physically impossible to put 200lbs of gear in your pack!!! Not to mention the big items left out.
PT Barnum-There's a sucker born every minute

I was over exagerating when I said 200lbs. I just wanted you all to get the gest of just how heavy it is. And I am not a guy! I am a Lady, I say I am!

[rolling thunder]

RT, don't panic--it's going to be OK.

First, realize that if you have never shouldered a pack before, and even if yo have, it will feel crushig for the first few days even with a light load. Your body will adjust to carrying the pack.

Second, heed the above advice. Make a list. Weigh things and try to eliminate or substitute lighter versions for what you have chosen.

Third, your pack will be as heavy as your fear. Try to think abot what you are so scared of and find a way to calm those fears.

Last, Neels Gap will help you when you get there. If you do not think you can get there on foot, then consider starting your hike there. I think your shuttle or ride will take you there to start.

You can do this. Just lay your stuff out and start with the basics--good shoes, shelter, food, rain gear--all the rest is just comfort stuff mainly.

Thank You Grayfox,
I feel so much better. First thing I am going to do when I unpack is take back this big backpack and get one that is about 4000cu inches instead of 5000cu inches. Thanks again-RT

[flemdawg1]

Well, lets see. I have pots and pans you only need 1 pot, medications, vitimins, lotions and creams (carry enough to get you to the next resupply, the rest goes in a bounce box) clothes (check the link above for the Mtn Crossings list, as others have said 2sets, 1 to hike in, 1 to sleep in), hiking tools and utensils (take 1 knife/multitool, 1 spork), journals (2) (1 goes in the bounce box), soap (take enough Campsuds for a fw days, think hotel shampoo size (that's what I use) the rest is in the bounce box to refill as needed), towels (1 small camp towel and/or a bandana) and really thats all. My back pack is made by KELTY and it is 5000 cubit inches and 82 L and stuffed to the compacity! I am a female first time hiker.

Thanks for the help!
RT

Hopefully this will help you

[bigcranky]

I suspect the 200 lbs was an exaggeration.

RT, don't panic. First, remember that this is a long distance hike, and it's very different from weekend backpacking trips. For example, a single lightweight 1-liter aluminum pot will suffice for all your cooking. A single long handled spoon is enough for cooking at eating. You won't need a lot of lotions and toiletries - maybe a very small tube of skin lotion will be useful. You don't need towels -- a single small pack towel is enough along with a bandana or three. You'll be either hiking or sleeping, there's not much hanging out in camp on a thru-hike.

5000 cubic inches is a big pack, and filling it up will be a big load. You have two choices:

1. Go start hiking, and when you get to Neels Gap at mile 30, you will beg them for a shakedown. They will be happy to help you reduce your load, no charge, and of course you might end up spending money on lighter gear as well as sending stuff home. The advantage of this choice is that you *really* understand the problem with a heavy pack.

2. Stop at Neels Gap and do the shakedown before you start the hike. This will make the first 30 miles a lot easier, but you'll be very resistant to many of their suggestions.

Of course, you can do both. The goal is to end up with a pack that you can carry comfortably for miles and miles every day, and still be warm and dry and comfortable along the way and in camp. These days it's neither difficult nor expensive to do all that with a total pack weight of 30 pounds or less. Some of that comes from buying lighter gear, but most of the savings comes from leaving stuff that you don't need at home. The trick, of course, is knowing how to identify that stuff. That's where the shakedown at Neels Gap comes in.

Good luck.

[mweinstone]

my pack weighs 29 lbs loaded for 7 days in the smokeys on a thruhike. it is the worlds finest kit:

pack heres some things you have you dont need:
bag nailclippers, wallet,camera,journel,pencil,
tent band aids, extra pants, more than 2 pair sox
stove neosporne, map, guidebook, packtowel,q tips
boots camp shoes, sleeping clothes, town clothes
sox condiment packs, salt, imodium, pepto bismal,
gaiters hardshell jacket, whistle, bearbell, flare
gloves wet wipes,sting exstractor,tweesers, needle and
hat thread, knife with anything but a single small
sunglasses blade, stuff sack for more than bag or food
phone bear cord, bag or container, extra laces
id repair kit, duct tape, spot device, more than one
keys tee, coffie maker,music on anything other than a
headlamp phone, change, travelers checks, body lotion
fuel shampoo ,perfume or cologne, comb or brush,
pot wisk broom,nalgene bottles, dihware of any type
toothbrush other than cookpot, alcohol preps,books,daypack,
tp carabener.
paste
soap
bandanna
long undys
undys
tee
vest
sweater
raincoat
pants
shorts
watch
diabetic supplys
foodbag
stovestand
spoon
potgrip
pack cover
mony
deodorant
lip balm
candle
lighter
matches
batteries
key to rm23
rain pants

[Bags4266]

My apoligies to you RT, is see your are on the up by reading some of your older posts. That being said you will never make it on 1/4 of that weight. You need a total hack on what your want to bring. Please post your gear list I and others would love to see it.