My backpack weighs 200lbs-HELP!

[rolling thunder]

:eek: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?:confused: 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! :sun

[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_08_pack_man_/articles/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 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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.

:pHey! 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 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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!:p

[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.

[mweinstone]

post came out wrong. after the word carabener, the list is what i carry.

[mweinstone]

okay, my post came out scrambled cause i tryed to make side by side lists and they combined when posted so all that work was for not. disregaurd my post.it was a list of what i carry and what i dont. sorry.unuseable. mods, delete.

[George]

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

TW
Bring a uhaul to FS 42 for the month of march, you will be able to outfit 3-4 boyscout troops for campouts

[sixguns01]

First- Did you ever plan on restocking in towns and through mail drops?

Second- Some like it and others don't. Post your Gear List and pray to get some good advice on gear and usage instead of insults. There is a lot of experience on WB and you can find many ways to cut weight.

[theeulogy]

Plan a 3 or 4 day hike between now and then. Give your "pack load" a good dry run. After you carry it a few days you will learn what YOU need. Everyone is different in what gear they will PREFER. I find it is best to always question weather or not I absolutely need something before packing it. Also definatly plan on resupplying along the way. But seriously, plan at least one trip to try out your setup first.

[Tipi Walter]

On my last trip my pack weighed in at around 80 lbs, so don't worry about it. I had around 40 lbs of food for 18 days and of course the full winter kit. When people say you're just packing for a couple day trip, well, they are not exaggerating as the AT has many opportunities to get off the trail for resupply. Less food, much less weight.

[hobbs]

Before you put anything in your Pack make a gear list on WB and have the members look at it.They will help you eliminate what you do need and what you do not....They want you to succeed...When they are done with that..Then put it in your pack and go on shackdowns..That ensures you will actually use each item for more than one purpose at times.....I hope you have a great hike....

[George]

do not think of the AT as a 5-6 month hike, think of a series of 2-5 day hikes. Before you leave for the AT (as soon as possible) pack for and go on a 4 day hike. Even if it is only a 1 day local trail have someone drop you off and stay out 4 days, packing everything up, hiking and setting up each day. When you get back make 3 gear piles, unused stuff, stuff that you used but could have done without and absolute essentials. From the unused pile put a ziplock on the scales and take 1 pound or less (fist aid etc). From the used but non-essential pile take two pounds or less. Now repack your essentials, four days food, 1 liter water and weigh your skin out kit (pack, everything you wear and carry) If it is less than 35lbs go out and go for it (if you finish you will be carrying less, but it will be because of your experienced decisions) If the total is more than 35 than some different gear may increase your chances of successfully hiking long distances. That would be the time to post your gear list. Until then you may be replacing one unused item with a lighter, more expensive but still unused item.

[QiWiz]

OK, so it does not weigh 200 pounds. What does it weigh?

Make a list of items and their weights and post it and you will have a gaggle of WBers take pot shots at it for what that's worth. The folks at Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap will help you if you reach there. Or, you could even start there and revise gear there and get a shuttle from there to Springer. Some shakedown/prep trips with intended gear will be very revealing and great practice.

Some guidelines for your consideration:

One pack (if more than 3 pounds could be lighter), a plastic bag to line your pack with, one sleeping pad (if more than 1 pound could be lighter), one sleeping bag (if more than 2.5 pounds, could be lighter), one shelter (if more than 2.5 pounds, could be lighter), clothes to hike in, clothes for wearing in camp and/or sleeping (might be the same clothes to save weight), gloves or mittens, poncho or rain suit (if more than 1.5 pounds could be lighter), one pot, one stove, one windscreen (an alcohol stove or canister stove are lightest options), maybe an insulated mug or bowl, water containers (soda bottles or Gatorade type or platypus type lightest), something to journal with, map/guidbook, a tiny compass, a tiny light, a tiny first aid kit, a toothbrush and floss, some TP, a trowel (unless you conveniently always need to go just when you get to a privvy).

IMO, you do not need (but some will undoubtably disagree, HYOH) camp shoes, camp chair, pillow, "spare clothing" not mentioned above, more than 3 pairs of liner socks and 3 pairs of hiking socks, reading material, frying pan, water bladder (some love them, but they weigh more than alternatives).

If all of the above weighs more than 25 pounds, you need to take another look and make some different choices. Sell the heavy gear you are switching from on eBay to car campers and the like.

[GeneralLee10]

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.



Just create list and you will all the feedback you need

I have to disagree on the Mountain Crossing helping you. In my observations this past year. They took way to much of folks money that they were going to use on their hike. Just post a list here on WB with the weights of each item. You will get all the help you need for FREE. Not costing you 1000 bucks.

[GeneralLee10]

Listen, mountain crossing mite be a good hostel. However every thing in that store is way over priced. I have a WM vest I got for under 90 bucks here in FL M-xing was asking over 175 bucks for the same one. That is plum crazy pricing. It is your money spend how you wish.

[Slo-go'en]

You might want to watch my "whats in the pack" video I made a while back to get some ideas of what you need to carry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEpfEK6FkAk

[Pedaling Fool]

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
You're going to have to be a little more specific than that, but just from that I see a few things that aren't needed.

If you don't want to post an itemized list, then read these:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=130925#post130925
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=130079#post130079
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=132311#post132311
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=132370#post132370
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=197423#post197423
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=197845#post197845
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=198663#post198663
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=96993#post96993

[Snowleopard]

Read the articles on this site:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=366
Look at the index on the left side of that page.
SGT ROCK's What to carry. Parts 1-5 are good. http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=132311#post132311

Make a list of all your stuff and weigh each item.
The major items, like pack, tent, sleeping bag, stove, have weights listed on
http://www.rei.com/ or
http://www.campmor.com/
For example, a Kelty 80L pack at REI is 5lb 9oz (really heavy!!, red cloud)
Buy, beg, borrow an accurate scale, either a kitchen scale or postal scale; if you're broke I think you can use one at the post office.
Start out with the weights of:
Tent if you're taking one.
Sleeping bag and pad.
Backpack.
Stove.
Other cooking gear.
Once you've got these weights down, then weigh and ruthlessly eliminate most of your other stuff.
Post a list here with the weights of each item.

Don't let TipiWalter's weight scare you. He goes out for weeks in midwinter; you're going in April. He's carrying 18 days of food; you'll need to carry a couple days of food between towns.

Don't buy a new pack until you've pared down what you're taking by a lot. When you're shopping for a pack, bring all your stuff and get one that holds it all (barely).

Stuff you don't need everyday you can put in a 'bounce box', a box that you mail to yourself at a post office a week or two further up the trail. Stuff that you aren't using you can mail home. You might need more warm clothes for the White Mts. in NH. Don't carry them a 1000 miles, have somebody at home mail them to a post office in NH shortly before you get there.

I'm not sure what weight the average hiker carries, but for the summer less than 20 lbs not counting food and water is pretty easy and some people carry a lot less.

Think how much better off you are going through this now instead of a mile down the trail. I've done that -- 'Why am I carrying so much, I don't want to be a mule!' Don't worry, you'll be fine.
--Walter (aka snowleopard)

[Sassafras Lass]

:eek: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?:confused: 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

For one, ditch your diamond studded gold-plated trowel :)

No, really, divide your gear into sections (Clothing, Kitchen, etc.) and then give us the items listed (along with their weight in oz.) by section - we can help you pare down and make suggestions for lighter-weight gear options.

[Sickmont]

Just remove 150 pounds of stuff from your pack, then go hiking!:D

[Hoop]

"okay, my post came out scrambled..."
__________________
matthewski

No way.

[mweinstone]

I have to disagree on the Mountain Crossing helping you. In my observations this past year. They took way to much of folks money that they were going to use on their hike. Just post a list here on WB with the weights of each item. You will get all the help you need for FREE. Not costing you 1000 bucks.

dont badmouh my walasi yi. ever. now go to your tent and say 3000 hail marys. mountain crossings is a fine outfitter employing the best of the best helpers, run by the best of the best and then there was pirate. whos the best. i got 2 words for ya,......good outfitter.

[George]

dont badmouh my walasi yi. ever. now go to your tent and say 3000 hail marys. mountain crossings is a fine outfitter employing the best of the best helpers, run by the best of the best and then there was pirate. whos the best. i got 2 words for ya,......good outfitter.

no tent until the hail marys are finished, must kneel with bare knees on sharp gravel in a snow storm, if one word is skipped, the 3000 must start over - MS will supervise and detail your shortcomings!!!

[restless]

Get some help from Mtn Crossings. Good,experienced people ther. On this site, you'll only get confusion. There are as many opinions on here as to what one should carry as there are posters. Keep it simple. Go to Neels Gap.

[rolling thunder]

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
I honestly have just about everything on this list except the key to room 23. My problem is that I have alot of one thing and need to take some things back or give them away...or sell them at a cheaper price. Another problem I have is that I packed for 6 months and not on week. That is why I don't have room for my other things-not even a sandwich! But I have learned so much from everyone who replied back to me. I am going to repack in a new, smaller backpack and see what happens.:) - RT

[rolling thunder]

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.

It's all good, Bags! But I really have alot of stuff. If I name everything....well, if you say so. Today I returned a pair of binoculars, one of my flashlights and a head light. Yeah, me! - I hope.

[lilricky]

Great going thunder! Just use the various links that others have given you here. As for Mountain Crossing, yes, a very good hostel, but they do take advantage of people with 100%+ profit margins. Thankfully as more and more people learn what to pack from sites like whiteblaze, fewer need to use Mountain Crossing's service.

[sbhikes]

Here's a picture of my toiletries/first-aid/personal items.
http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1239857021_12071.jpg
If it vanishes, click here to see the picture (http://cache.backpackinglight.com/backpackinglight/user_uploads/1239857021_12071.jpg).

The key is to start looking for tiny little bottles. Not travel size, because those are now too big. You want sample-sized or smaller. You can bounce refills to yourself. I will refill a tiny little foil packet of neosporin (#8) with a toothpick rather than carry a whole tube. I save the little zip-locks that come with extra buttons.

And when it comes to clothing, you have think of your clothing as a uniform. You must stifle your inner girliness who wants to load you down with outfits. She says to you, "What if I get tired of wearing blue every day?" Don't listen to her. I express my inner girliness by having fun socks with fun colors and patterns--3 pairs. Otherwise, I have a change of NOTHING. Not even undies.

I wear:
- Ex-officio undies
- Tank top with built-in bra
- Long-sleeved hiking shirt that has good pockets
- Long pants
- A sun hat (probably don't need this on the AT but I do like to cover my greasy head with something)

In my pack I carry:
- A very thin windbreaker (in rainy climes I'd trade it for a very simple rain jacket, not one that looks like you could wear it to the flagship Starbucks in Seattle.)
- A thin down sweater
- A warm hat
- Gloves I can still do stuff when wearing (very thin, fingerless)
- Rain chaps

That's it. I can wear all my clothes at the same time!

You must think of your gear in this way or you'll never make it. Your gear is not a replacement for the stuff you have at home. It's not like taking a vacation. Your gear is a tool. It either helps you get up the trail or it doesn't. If it doesn't, if it only serves to satisfy your advertising-stoked desires for comfort, security and status, you get rid of it.

Good luck!

[Lilred]

Get some help from Mtn Crossings. Good,experienced people ther. On this site, you'll only get confusion. There are as many opinions on here as to what one should carry as there are posters. Keep it simple. Go to Neels Gap.'


Just don't spew coffee all over the guy giving you the shakedown......no matter how funny he is..... right Restless????

[jlo]

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


Well, for starters, you only need one pot or pan, or at least just one of each. You also only need one towel and one journal. Meds and Vitamins can be sent in mail drops and I'd get rid of a lot of the creams and lotions. You won't be showering much and, in my experience, your natural oils will be enough of a moisturizer :) Plus the scents attract critters. But, I have to admit that it's nice to have some kind of lotion just to have a nice smell when you are all sweaty and not smelling so good. (and to add to the fresh shower/town experience.) If you really want some lotion, get one of those little 1.5oz "pocket size" lotions from Bath and Body works.
Hope that helps :)

[Lilred]

That's it. I can wear all my clothes at the same time!Good luck!

That's the best advice for clothing. If you can't wear all of it at one time, you've got too much. The exception would be socks and something to wear to bed.

Here's what I pack for clothes

One t-shirt
one long sleeved undershirt (silk underwear works)
one pair of zip off pants (there's your shorts and pants in one)
one pair of silk leggings (the bottoms of your long underwear)
two pairs of underwear
3 pairs of wicking socks (forget liners, don't need them)
lightweight cotton pajamas for sleeping in. (my one girlie thing. It's nice to get into clean clothes before crawling into your sleeping bag. No matter how grungie you are. Keeps the bag fresher, longer too.)
Rain jacket and rain pants (Frogg Toggs are great and lightweight too. You'll probably send the pants home, although they are good to wear while washing everything else)
3 bandanas
one fleece pullover.

Unless you're going winter camping, this should suffice. Even on my coldest day, put all that on and you will be warm. If you're still cold, then get in your sleeping bag.

This is my kitchen
alcohol stove I made out of pepsi cans
pot stand
plastic flask for carrying my fuel (can get in any camping section of walmart)
Heavy duty aluminum foil for a windscreen
one pan with a cozy
one fork (Sporks make a lousy spoon and a lousy fork)
one spoon
one pocket knife
Two one liter bottles for water
one one liter platypuss for back up (I'm a slow hiker and need to make sure I have enough water with me) lighter
water filter or aqua mira or gravity filter
collapsible bucket
food and foodbag

My bedroom

20 degree Campmor down bag. Good price. good weight
Hubba Tent or my Tarp Tent
Therma rest pad
headlamp with extra backup batteries

I use my clothes bag for a pillow, or my tent in its stuffsak if I'm in a shelter or hostel

Toiletries and misc.

a SMALL bottle of campsuds I use it for anything that needs washing. Me, my hair, my kitchen stuff.
toothbrush
floss (can be used for thread in a pinch)
travel size toothpaste
A SMALL bottle of hand sanitizer
tweezers
Ibuprofin
wet wipes for a quickie bath
toilet paper
comb or brush SMALL
Benadryl
itch cream
sewing needle (make sure the eye is big enough for the floss)
safety pins 2
journal
pen
camera
ipod
phone
chargers
50 feet of lightweight rope
gold bond powder (in case of chafing)
Hiking poles

I'm sure I've forgotten something

Hope this helps

[bigcranky]

]As for Mountain Crossing, yes, a very good hostel, but they do take advantage of people with 100%+ profit margins.

This is wildly misleading. Outfitters generally pay around 40%-50% of the suggested retail price for gear and clothing, so the markup to full retail price is 100%, but that markup has to cover all their costs -- the building, labor, shipping, taxes -- everything it costs to run a business. The prices in Mountain Crossings are the same as the prices at REI and any other gear outfitter.

And btw you mean "gross margin" not "profit margin" - there is no such thing as "100% profit margin" unless you get your stock for free.

There are some other ways to look at the store besides "taking advantage of people." You could say that they provide a valuable service to hikers, by providing a free shakedown of packs and gear, and offering suggestions on what to leave out. There's no charge, and no pushing of new gear, and hikers are free to walk out of the store without spending a penny. You could say that no one is holding a gun to any hiker's head and forcing them to buy new (and usually better) gear. You could say that the staff has many years of hiking experience and can offer gear and advice specific to the needs of the A.T. thru-hiker, unlike the vast majority of gear shops out there.

Let's say I open a shop selling bottled water in the middle of the desert. I charge the same per bottle as the convenience store back home, but of course I sell a lot of bottled water given my location. Am I "taking advantage" of the desert travelers? Or offering a valuable service? Should I give the water away, or am I allowed to make a profit, this being a capitalist economic system and all that?

[Just Plain Jim]

It should take you 3-4 days to hike to Neels Gap so just carry enough to get you there and mail the other load . So we're talking, maybe, 9 meals to carry. Your pot,spoon and stove. You might just mail the tent ahead and stay at the shelters. Plan to spend $$ with the post office.
Now the clothing, the pants you have on,one extra pair of underwear,one pair of sock,2 sock liners and of course your outerwear and rain gear.
Are you going to have a partner back home mailing geaer for you?
They'll be no bathing until you get to the hostel so take some wipes in a zip lock.

[Lilred]

,one pair of sock,2 sock liners

I highly recommend 3 pairs of socks. You want to take special care of your feet and keeping them as dry as possible is the best way. 3 pair. One you're wearing, one you're drying on the back of your pack, and one you never wear except to change into when you're in camp. This way, you're always assured of a dry pair of socks. (at least most of the time) And sock liners really are not necessary. The last thing I want are two pairs of socks on my feet when it's hot outside. The liners will prevent the wool socks from wicking the sweat away from your feet. I have literally pulled wet socks off my feet and my feet were dry because of the wicking action. Liners will get wet and stay wet and that causes blisters.

[TheChop]

You probably should pack more. You don't want to run out of pots and pans.

[hobbs]

I think SBhikes and Lilreds is a great reference for you...Then put your gear list you have on WB.That way you get feedback and you can filter what you do need and dont...Also you can filter the arguments about weather and such out...But I think its helpful...Some look at it a different way and their references are valuable...IMO

[StormBird]

Rolling Thunder - type up an itemized list along with weights (in ounces) and post it here. Then we can go through it and help you out. :)

[Kimmee]

I did a couple of section hikes and at the end of the 5 days I found that I did not use all the meals and that some gear worked better than others. I am still honing my list down and I did my last 5 days in the rocky section of PA and Hawk Rock was tough with 35 pounds and I was never so glad to get to the Doyle! Post the list, get feedback and test it out and move on from there. Lots of great advice here and sometimes you just have to overlook the snide remarks of a few :)

[takethisbread]

:eek: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?:confused: 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


try this

decide a packweight that works for you: Lets say its 30lbs.

start packing your bag with the most important things first one at a time (Tent, Bag, Food) until you get to 30 lbs. The items past that weight are apparently not all that important. the good thing, by starting in mid april your starting weight will be much lighter.

constantly evaluate your pack as well. If you find you are not using an item every day or close to that, then discard it, if you wish.

[Lilred]

I give an item 3 days. If I don't use it in that amount of time, then I get rid of it from my pack. Some things don't count, like your first aid kit.

[fehchet]

I'm still waiting for an itemized list.

[Pedaling Fool]

It's all good, Bags! But I really have alot of stuff. If I name everything....well, if you say so. Today I returned a pair of binoculars, one of my flashlights and a head light. Yeah, me! - I hope.
All kind of images go through my head when you say "flashlight"

That's why we need a specific itemized list. I mean what exactly do you mean by "flashlight"?

I understand wanting a little redundancy on some things like a light. I have a headlamp with a backup little LED light, not really a flashlight, it weighs less than an ounce. That's all you really need. Don't need to bring the kitchen sink.

[fiddlehead]

I smell a troll.
200 lbs. Never hiked? Help?
Try an overnight at least girl.

[garlic08]

I smell a troll.
200 lbs. Never hiked? Help?
Try an overnight at least girl.

I think, by now, the OP is regretting her hyperbole. If she had said "a million pounds" we might have understood what she was getting at. The problem here is that some people actually attempt to carry well over 100 pounds.

The repeated advice to go on some overnighters is probably the best. Look at the pack lists of some experienced hikers and the Mountain Crossings list for guidance of where you should eventually be, but don't plan on getting there on your first trip. Experience will begin to take the place of equipment. After a few nights in the rain, you'll have learned from the mistakes everyone makes, and will no longer pitch on that nice flat dirt spot that becomes a mud puddle, for instance. Then you'll find that you no longer need the six pound tent and footprint and tarp, that the tarp works OK by itself.

As said above, your pack reflects your fears. Your first night in the woods can be scary, so you bring lots of stuff to protect you from things that go "bump" in the night or might get you wet or cold. After a couple hundred nights in the woods, nights in town start to look scary, and you start to carry much less stuff into the woods.

[Big Dawg]

Rolling Thunder - type up an itemized list along with weights (in ounces) and post it here. Then we can go through it and help you out. :)

A digital kitchen scale will be your best friend while performing this task. It helps you weed out the unnecessary. It is one of the best investments I've ever made. It helped drop my base weight (all except food/water/fuel) from somewhere in the 40 lb range to now somewhere in the mid to upper teen range depending on season.

[Trailbender]

It should take you 3-4 days to hike to Neels Gap so just carry enough to get you there and mail the other load . So we're talking, maybe, 9 meals to carry. Your pot,spoon and stove. You might just mail the tent ahead and stay at the shelters. Plan to spend $$ with the post office.
Now the clothing, the pants you have on,one extra pair of underwear,one pair of sock,2 sock liners and of course your outerwear and rain gear.
Are you going to have a partner back home mailing geaer for you?
They'll be no bathing until you get to the hostel so take some wipes in a zip lock.

Don't even need a shower once there. The first 30 miles seems like a lot, but halfway through your thru, it will be a routine thing to go 200 miles or more without a shower.

As for neosporin, I stopped carrying it. It is only good for small cuts anyway, which will heal by themselves. Use campsuds for toothpaste and save yourself the trouble of carrying an extra ounce, as well as one less piece of gear.

[Trailbender]

On my last trip my pack weighed in at around 80 lbs, so don't worry about it. I had around 40 lbs of food for 18 days and of course the full winter kit. When people say you're just packing for a couple day trip, well, they are not exaggerating as the AT has many opportunities to get off the trail for resupply. Less food, much less weight.

Heavy packs like that can cause all kinds of medical problems, aside from making a hike hell. Stress fractures, spinal issues, shin splints, back problems, torn muscles. I was discharged from the Army for severe stress fractures in both my tibias, directly related to the around 90 lbs of gear I had to carry overseas. It is not like I could say, "I think I'll leave my body armor in the base today, it is too heavy." The military loses around 15% of it's people directly related to having to carry too much gear. I graduated 12th of 400 in my combat medic school, all that money spent on my training and being a really good medic, all wasted because the issued gear weighs too damn much.

[Croft]

If you'll die out there without it, then bring it. If not, leave it at home. If you find you really need something out there that you don't have, you're always a couple of days from a town where you can buy it or have you home base mail it to you. As I travelled north last year, I kept sending stuff home. Unfortunately my pack still got heavier and heavier--but that's because I kept carrying (and eating) more and more food. LOL.

[Just Plain Jim]

When I said 1 extra pair of socks and e linber socks, I was only listing those items to get you to Neels Gap.

I hope that you're working on that list to show us.:-?

[Bronk]

Carry the pack the way it is until you get to Neels Gap. You'll learn an important lesson. Then get rid of everything you never used in the week it took you to walk those 30 miles. You'll still have about 40 pounds or so of stuff, but over time you'll work it out. I carried 55 pounds to Neels Gap...my pack was so full I couldn't fit anymore in it...but by the end of my hike I was cutting pockets off my pack to save weight and eliminate the temptation to find something to put in that empty pocket.

[Del Q]

Less is more, the longer I do this the less I need or want, to me that has become a bigger part of the AT experience.

I like being comfortable but anything over 35 pounds all in - with about 5 days of food, water, maybe even some "adult beverages" is wasteful. If you eat all of the heavy food first and drink your adult beverages pretty fast you will be at or below 30 lbs quickly. Everything you need except for extreme cold is covered.

Plus, when you are hiking you don'd need much, the more hours per day I hike the less I need.

[jacquelineanngrant]

Please post a list of what you are currently planning to take and then we can really help you out. There is no reason for you to carry too much into Neels Gap. It may only be 31 miles or so but it's a mighty long way for a new hiker with a too heavy pack!

[Blissful]

That's the nice thing about Neel Gap, you have a place of refuge and help. Not so SOBO. I dare anyone to take a heavy pack SOBO and stay out for long. Esp as you head in the lower half of ME. There is NO place of refuge to help with gear then.

[searust]

I would like to see the list she has --- maybe Pack 50lbs, and extra boy scout 150 lbs?