tlbj6142
04-03-2004, 16:14
I posted this same message in the backpackinglight yahoo group and received a resounding yes. I suspect the responses here might be otherwise...
This has come up several times over the last few months, so I though we should talk about it in more detail.
How much pack volume do you need for a lightweight 5-day trip (what you'd need to do a thru hike of the PCT or AT)? Here is what I came up with based on some the gear I use (or may use) and **very** rough estimates on each item's volume.
I tried to visualized how many Nalgene bottles worth of space a particular item would consume when coming up with item's volume in liters. The ci number is liters*61.
Seems like you'd only need 26L (1586ci). You Ultra lightweight folks ought to get this down even more (tarp or tarp/poncho, no PJs, compressible thermal layer (instead of fleece), smaller pot, "better" bag, etc.).
You could allow your bag to fill in the gaps up to 32L (2000ci) and as food is consumed. Or keep it compressed when carrying lots of water. All of these items would be in the main compartment. I assume the only other pockets on the pack are 2 external water bottle holders and are not included in the pack's listed volume. Some of these items may (always?) spend time outside your (pack wet socks, wet raincoat, wet fly, etc.) which would reduce the space needed inside further.
Did I forget anything? See an grievous mistakes on item volume?
NOTE: I know a WM MityLite probably isn't warm enough for all of a PCT, or AT, thru-hike but I own one and know the size of the provided WM stuff sack. It is a rather large bag, so I assume smaller, warmer bags would take up similar volume (ex. WM ultralight). Those with fancy bags (Arc alpinist) can probably free up a liter or so. The Shelter's volume is right from Henry's site.
item: volume in liters (ci)
=================
bag (WM MityLite):4 (244)
pad (ProLite3-3/4):2 (122)
pot-3cups (stove, screen, spoon, bandana, lid, cozy):0.75 (45.75)
water bag empty (2L platty):0.25 (15.25)
windshirt:0.25 (15.25)
rainjacket (rainshield O2):1 (61)
hat, gloves, socks, silk sheets:1 (61)
heavy fleece (thermal layer):2 (122)
pjs (midweight base layer top/bottom):1 (61)
shelter (tarptent virga):3.5 (213.5)
firstaid (plus fire starter, whistle, duct tape):0.5 (30.5)
knife, compass, notebook, pen, headlamp, aqua mira:0.5 (30.5)
camera:0.5 (30.5)
wallet, keys, glasses:0.25 (15.25)
fuel bottle:0.5 (30.5)
food (5 days):8 (488)
2 1L water bottles (outside of main pack):0 (0)
======================
total:26L (1586ci)
This has come up several times over the last few months, so I though we should talk about it in more detail.
How much pack volume do you need for a lightweight 5-day trip (what you'd need to do a thru hike of the PCT or AT)? Here is what I came up with based on some the gear I use (or may use) and **very** rough estimates on each item's volume.
I tried to visualized how many Nalgene bottles worth of space a particular item would consume when coming up with item's volume in liters. The ci number is liters*61.
Seems like you'd only need 26L (1586ci). You Ultra lightweight folks ought to get this down even more (tarp or tarp/poncho, no PJs, compressible thermal layer (instead of fleece), smaller pot, "better" bag, etc.).
You could allow your bag to fill in the gaps up to 32L (2000ci) and as food is consumed. Or keep it compressed when carrying lots of water. All of these items would be in the main compartment. I assume the only other pockets on the pack are 2 external water bottle holders and are not included in the pack's listed volume. Some of these items may (always?) spend time outside your (pack wet socks, wet raincoat, wet fly, etc.) which would reduce the space needed inside further.
Did I forget anything? See an grievous mistakes on item volume?
NOTE: I know a WM MityLite probably isn't warm enough for all of a PCT, or AT, thru-hike but I own one and know the size of the provided WM stuff sack. It is a rather large bag, so I assume smaller, warmer bags would take up similar volume (ex. WM ultralight). Those with fancy bags (Arc alpinist) can probably free up a liter or so. The Shelter's volume is right from Henry's site.
item: volume in liters (ci)
=================
bag (WM MityLite):4 (244)
pad (ProLite3-3/4):2 (122)
pot-3cups (stove, screen, spoon, bandana, lid, cozy):0.75 (45.75)
water bag empty (2L platty):0.25 (15.25)
windshirt:0.25 (15.25)
rainjacket (rainshield O2):1 (61)
hat, gloves, socks, silk sheets:1 (61)
heavy fleece (thermal layer):2 (122)
pjs (midweight base layer top/bottom):1 (61)
shelter (tarptent virga):3.5 (213.5)
firstaid (plus fire starter, whistle, duct tape):0.5 (30.5)
knife, compass, notebook, pen, headlamp, aqua mira:0.5 (30.5)
camera:0.5 (30.5)
wallet, keys, glasses:0.25 (15.25)
fuel bottle:0.5 (30.5)
food (5 days):8 (488)
2 1L water bottles (outside of main pack):0 (0)
======================
total:26L (1586ci)