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seasparrow
02-18-2012, 02:52
Whats your Starting Pack Weight with Food and Water.( in lbs.) Hike your on Hike .

TOMP
02-18-2012, 03:09
about 32lbs

Maddog
02-18-2012, 04:41
Approximately 22lbs! :)

Schemer
02-18-2012, 06:11
About 31lbs

Old Boots
02-18-2012, 07:41
35 lbs +or-

Old Boots
02-18-2012, 07:50
Btw I am heading to Springer this am. See you on the trail. Be safe.

swjohnsey
02-18-2012, 08:55
Food to get to Neels Gap + 1 l water 20 lbs. Leaving 30 March from Springer.

q-tip
02-18-2012, 09:19
Pack-food 4 days.-water-21 lbs.

Amanita
02-18-2012, 10:24
22-25 pounds for temps I expect to not drop far below freezing.

RWheeler
02-18-2012, 10:46
It'll be 24 pounds.

DeerPath
02-18-2012, 12:15
With my new GoLite Quest I'm down to 31.8 lbs.

T-Rx
02-18-2012, 14:02
about 30 lbs.

O-H-10 Lil Ohio
02-18-2012, 16:34
33lbs, still trying to get it 30 by the 15th March for a 18 or 19th start at Springer.

bamboo bob
02-18-2012, 16:38
20 lbs base plus 4.5 lbs food plus a liter = 26.5 plus crap that I throw in at the last minute. Also I'll be at Springer March 24.

takethisbread
02-18-2012, 17:36
8lbs without a liter of water is what I've trimmed down to

garlic08
02-18-2012, 20:02
When people ask my pack weight including food and water, it's pretty necessary to know where the next food and water is. I'm at eight pounds base weight and I add one pound of food for every 10 miles to my next resupply, or about two pounds per day. On the AT, I rarely carried more than 2 pounds of water, often none at all. The most I ever carried on the AT, with 100 miles to my next food and one quart of water, was 20 pounds total.

On Western trails, most hikers talk about base weight, or pack weight without food and water. A few use "from skin out" (FSO) weight. On the AT, hikers talk about "a full load of food and water". What the heck does that mean?

Turtle*
02-18-2012, 20:11
Irish Charm's full weight with four days of food is 33 pounds.
Falling Turtle is 30 or 28 depending on whether or not I take my iPad! Lol

TOMP
02-18-2012, 20:27
On Western trails, most hikers talk about base weight, or pack weight without food and water. A few use "from skin out" (FSO) weight. On the AT, hikers talk about "a full load of food and water". What the heck does that mean?

Well different numbers are important to different people. Base weight is a nice number to keep in mind when putting together your setup since it doesnt change. But I think its more important to look at your total weight, because if you have a 8 lb base but your carrying 25 lbs it is important to know that, especially if you cant carry 25lbs comfortably. Your with food and water will definately vary depending if you are on day 1 or 3 out of town but still you should know what your max total weight is after a resupply to avoid carrying beyond your ability.

swjohnsey
02-18-2012, 21:06
When people ask my pack weight including food and water, it's pretty necessary to know where the next food and water is. I'm at eight pounds base weight and I add one pound of food for every 10 miles to my next resupply, or about two pounds per day. On the AT, I rarely carried more than 2 pounds of water, often none at all. The most I ever carried on the AT, with 100 miles to my next food and one quart of water, was 20 pounds total.


On Western trails, most hikers talk about base weight, or pack weight without food and water. A few use "from skin out" (FSO) weight. On the AT, hikers talk about "a full load of food and water". What the heck does that mean?

O.K. 11 lbs, no food, no fuel, no water and wearing only base layer, long sleeve and shorts.

garlic08
02-18-2012, 23:12
...you should know what your max total weight is after a resupply to avoid carrying beyond your ability.

OK, that makes sense. In over three years since I hiked the AT and joined this site, that's the first decent explanation I've heard. Thank you.

garlic08
02-18-2012, 23:19
The maximum my pack will carry is 30 pounds, or so the maker says. On some long desert stretches with six or seven liters of water, I've pushed it up to 27 or 28, but for a very short time. I can carry more, but my pack can't, and I don't like to. The pack is sort of like a fuse.

q-tip
02-19-2012, 07:00
Must agree with Tomp--I can't carry more than 25 at all, not a strong hiker. I had to reduce my base to 13 # to keep me on the trail.

takethisbread
02-19-2012, 07:39
Must agree with Tomp--I can't carry more than 25 at all, not a strong hiker. I had to reduce my base to 13 # to keep me on the trail.

I believe it was Warren Doyle who says what's in your pack is the sum of all your fears. When I started backpacking I carried about 30-35lbs total packweight. Now, in season, I rarely cross 10lbs including food and water. It's just a matter of being comfortable in the woods, and disliking carrying a ton of packweight!

earlyriser26
02-19-2012, 09:06
3-4 days food and 1-2 L of water = 30 - 35 lbs

pdcolelli42
02-19-2012, 12:07
Well, I'm at 9.04lbs base weight for temps into the teens. I could get down to around 8 if I threw out one of my quilts and only took part of the guidebook. I don't really plan to carry water most of the time either. So add about 2lbs of food per day and we'll say I'd be at a starting weight of about 13-15lbs.

Rayo
02-20-2012, 00:51
around 33 lbs

(5 days of food and 2L water)

birdygal
02-20-2012, 14:04
7 days food, 2 L water = 30 lbs plus 1 1/2 in my pockets phone,camera and MP3 player

Kerosene
02-20-2012, 16:31
25 pounds for early Spring/late Fall section hikes with 3-4 days of food and 2.5L of water (I hate to run out of water). I can lug up to 35 pounds if needed, but I don't think I've carried more than 32 since I switched to an internal frame about 10 years ago. I drop down to 21 pounds with supplies for a summer hike, but I rarely hike in the summer because I hate bugs.

bgood360
02-20-2012, 16:46
24.6 lbs with food and water to Neels Gap, leaving 2/29.

-- Hat, 2012 NOBO AT Hike

QiWiz
02-20-2012, 17:57
With 5 days food and usual 2.5 pounds of water (2 20oz gatorade bottles), about 25 pounds.

hikerboy57
02-20-2012, 17:57
with jenga, im at 32 lbs.

Miner
02-20-2012, 18:51
You should know what your maximum weight will be on your trip so that you know that you can carry it comfortably. But, its pointless to ask for someones total weight if you don't know how many miles they plan to hike per day or the distance they are planning on going until their next resupply. Without that information, only the baseweight makes for a fair comparison.

For a May start, I'm planning for 4 days to Neels Gap, with a total weight of 21lbs with 1L of water. Baseweight is 10.8 lbs. It would less if it wasn't for the 2 lbs for the DSLR camera, but one of the reaons I lightened up was so I could carry things I really wanted.

Stir Fry
02-20-2012, 19:31
April 2 start. Three days food, 5 lb 1 L water 2.2 lb will put me at at 22.5 lbs.

LeeAllure
02-20-2012, 19:40
My total pack weight is about 27 lbs, with food for 6 days.

JAK
02-20-2012, 20:07
I use "weight on feet" to figure out how comfortable I will be. Losing weight helps alot. At 240 pounds I can hike a full day. At 220 I am comfy. At 200 I can include some trail running. As my current weight is 215, I don't have alot of room to work with but I don't let it stop me. If I ever get down to 165 again maybe I'll bring my couch and television.

My skin out targets, not counting food and water:
Summer = 10 pounds
Early Spring / Fall = 20 pounds
Winter = 30 pounds
I'll carry an extra 10 pounds when hiking/camping with my daughter.

Rayo
02-20-2012, 22:32
If I ever get down to 165 again maybe I'll bring my couch and television.

Hahaha

I'm starting the trail at 185+33gear, but I'm guessing after a few months I'll probably weigh around 165, no TV though.

takethisbread
02-21-2012, 14:08
4 days to Neels Gap? I'm thinking like a day and a half. 4 days you will be in North Carolina. Otherwise your packweight is great


You should know what your maximum weight will be on your trip so that you know that you can carry it comfortably. But, its pointless to ask for someones total weight if you don't know how many miles they plan to hike per day or the distance they are planning on going until their next resupply. Without that information, only the baseweight makes for a fair comparison.

For a May start, I'm planning for 4 days to Neels Gap, with a total weight of 21lbs with 1L of water. Baseweight is 10.8 lbs. It would less if it wasn't for the 2 lbs for the DSLR camera, but one of the reaons I lightened up was so I could carry things I really wanted.

takethisbread
02-21-2012, 14:10
My total pack weight is about 27 lbs, with food for 6 days.

Don't you think 6 days food is a bit extreme. are you a Sobo?
Why is everyone taking so much food ?

Lone Wolf
02-21-2012, 14:27
Whats your Starting Pack Weight with Food and Water.( in lbs.) Hike your on Hike .

35-40 lbs.

birdygal
02-21-2012, 14:51
Don't you think 6 days food is a bit extreme. are you a Sobo?
Why is everyone taking so much food ?

Not everyone wants to resupply every few days

JAK
02-21-2012, 15:21
I would take 6 days of food or more so I wouldn't need to stop in so many towns, and the feeling of independence. I love stopping for a cup of coffee and a donut when the opportunity presents itself, but it nice to have the option of not getting totally reamed, so I would do most of my resupply in grocery stores unless I see some reasonable prices along the way. I think I would also enjoy not planning too far in advance, other than knowing the grocery store towns, so carrying the extra food would be worth it, and carrying less of everything else would enable that.

It's liberating how much farther you can hike between resupplies as you lose weight, even though you can burn more body fat when you are heavier. For myself, 6' tall and 49 years old, it works out roughly as follows...
220#, 5 pounds of food for 2.1 days, 16.6 miles per day for 36 miles to resupply
210#, 10 pounds of food for 4.1 days, 17.2 miles per day for 71 miles to resupply
200#, 15 pounds of food for 5.9 days, 17.9 miles per day for 105 miles to resupply
190#, 20 pounds of food for 7.5 days, 18.7 miles per day for 140 miles to resupply
180#, 25 pounds of food for 9.0 days, 19.6 miles per day for 176 miles to resupply
170#, 30 pounds of food for 10.4 days, 20.5 miles per day for 213 miles to resupply

This assumes you only want to carry an extra 5 pounds of food for every 10 pounds you lose.

max patch
02-21-2012, 15:26
Not everyone wants to resupply every few days

Exactly. Everyone is different, but on my thru a perfect week was one where I hiked 6 days and rested in town on the 7th. Seems like most of the time my resupplies were at 5 days though, just depends on where the towns are and your pace is.

takethisbread
02-22-2012, 07:04
Not everyone wants to resupply every few days

Maybe so, but nobody likes to carry six days of food. It's folly. You can resupply at Neels Gap without leaving the trail .
Most people do resupply at some point in Georgia.

takethisbread
02-22-2012, 07:11
Freedom is having a light pack. A light pack lets you get where you want. If I leave springer mt at 6:30am and leave at a strong pace and I feel storm clouds with big rain looming in early afternoon, I can easily make Woody Gap to get
good shelter before dinner, and there's a chance I can make it all the way to Neels Gap, with Headlamp hiking into the night .

That's freedom in my mind. Carrying 6 days of food is bondage.
You are prisoner to your heavy pack, limiting your range and enjoyment the whole way.



I would take 6 days of food or more so I wouldn't need to stop in so many towns, and the feeling of independence. I love stopping for a cup of coffee and a donut when the opportunity presents itself, but it nice to have the option of not getting totally reamed, so I would do most of my resupply in grocery stores unless I see some reasonable prices along the way. I think I would also enjoy not planning too far in advance, other than knowing the grocery store towns, so carrying the extra food would be worth it, and carrying less of everything else would enable that.

It's liberating how much farther you can hike between resupplies as you lose weight, even though you can burn more body fat when you are heavier. For myself, 6' tall and 49 years old, it works out roughly as follows...
220#, 5 pounds of food for 2.1 days, 16.6 miles per day for 36 miles to resupply
210#, 10 pounds of food for 4.1 days, 17.2 miles per day for 71 miles to resupply
200#, 15 pounds of food for 5.9 days, 17.9 miles per day for 105 miles to resupply
190#, 20 pounds of food for 7.5 days, 18.7 miles per day for 140 miles to resupply
180#, 25 pounds of food for 9.0 days, 19.6 miles per day for 176 miles to resupply
170#, 30 pounds of food for 10.4 days, 20.5 miles per day for 213 miles to resupply

This assumes you only want to carry an extra 5 pounds of food for every 10 pounds you lose.

Sassafras Lass
02-22-2012, 07:31
Freedom is having a light pack. A light pack lets you get where you want. If I leave springer mt at 6:30am and leave at a strong pace and I feel storm clouds with big rain looming in early afternoon, I can easily make Woody Gap to get
good shelter before dinner, and there's a chance I can make it all the way to Neels Gap, with Headlamp hiking into the night .

That's freedom in my mind. Carrying 6 days of food is bondage.
You are prisoner to your heavy pack, limiting your range and enjoyment the whole way.

Sure. But we're not all you.

Some people are especially susceptible to cold and hypothermia, which means they're bringing many more clothes than others would feel necessary, plus a space blanket and maybe heavier Nalgenes to keep boiled water in their sleeping bag.

Or they don't want to pay MSRP for every blessed thing (and then some, have you seen their Ramen $$??) at Mountain Crossings, and so bring extra food so they can bypass that resupply point.

Or they're out of shape and don't want to push beyond 10 miles per day in the beginning.

Or any number of things. If people have never hiked in this manner before, it will be a while before they have confidence on the trail and get into a groove and understand their hiking style. You can't fault people for that.

pdcolelli42
02-22-2012, 13:07
If there's one thing I learned on all these different backpacking forums, it's that people can get serious about talking about gear/planning/etc... What it always boils down to every time is HYOH. What one person thinks suits them best may not suit a different style of hiker.

Larry Vaughn
02-27-2012, 09:31
At 36 pounds right now leaving in a few days, Somewhat a budget hiker so not as many resupp stops for me.... still working on downsizing, would like to shave off another 3 pounds or so but if not I will live with it. that is total weight with food ( 4-5 days ) and water.

Abela
02-27-2012, 11:28
Hello,


I am not doing the AT in 2012 but I am attempting to thru-hike a 400 mile thru-hike trail, and after that will be section hiking as much of the PCT as the season will permit.




Here is how it is looking for me:


My primary gear will be 5.38 pounds.


For part of my hike I will need an additional 1.41 pounds of electronics (Iridium 9575 Extreme & GPS - both required because of the utter remoteness of this trail)


For when the weather turns cold I will have to add another 1.53 pounds of clothing.


My standard Perishables/Consumables weight is 7.33 pounds. (This is for 4 days of food using the 1.4 PPPD method, 1 liter of water, and TP, WetOnes, Fuel, Tea, and an OpSack for all of that)


So that puts me at 12.70 pounds TPW for the summer/shoulder season and 14.06 for the winter season.


FSO in winter season (the heaviest setup at any point) would be 17.28 pounds.




At least, that is what the spreadsheet is telling me at this point. I still have another 18 days before its hike time!


My gear list for this hike is at https://bitly.com/pxBnOo than click on the "BFT 2012" sheet on the very bottom right.


I welcome feedback & suggestions!!

Nooga
02-27-2012, 11:37
With an early April start date, I will be at 22 - 23 lbs.

rocketsocks
02-27-2012, 12:29
I'm at 37 to 40 lbs.I like to eat!,and color,unless I bring out the big crayons then it's like 42 lbs.The ones with the metal flake add about and extra .0042 oz.but they burn nice colors,So....they come.And before you ask I only burn my Crayons in an approved crayon burning vessel and in an approved crayon burning facility.

Tenderheart
02-27-2012, 16:16
Whats your Starting Pack Weight with Food and Water.( in lbs.) Hike your on Hike .

About 19 pounds with five days food and 2L water.

ddanko2
02-27-2012, 16:30
26 lbs for early Spring/late Fall. Around 20 for summer time. with 4-5 days food & water.

Adrian
02-27-2012, 18:03
Just weighed in - Fully loaded w/winter gear and 5 days worth of food, I'm at 21.8 pounds. This doesn't include the clothes I'll be wearing on day 1 and my trekking poles. 4 days to go 'til I'm on the road to Springer!

Drybones
02-27-2012, 18:29
I agree, there is no right or wrong, just what fits. Me personally, it's easier for me to hike 20 miless carrying 25 pounds than 10 miles carrying 50. There has to be a statistics nut out there willing to graph the thing and tell us the optimum weight to carry to maximize hiking miles.

Bushrat
02-27-2012, 18:34
32 lbs. which includes water and food. Less if I can manage it.

ezNomad
02-27-2012, 19:28
Just got done with my preliminary gear list all weighed out and saw this thread.

Early April start

23lbs base weight. I could lower this 4-5lbs by shedding some heavier winter stuff & electronics, but I'll start with this & adapt based on results. I've been training with 25-30lbs. and not having a problem.

30-32lbs with 4-5 days food & 1L water.

Rayo
03-03-2012, 15:27
I just updated the Gear Section on my blog. Kinda proud, let me know what ya think!

Base: 19.17 lbs.
(+) Food/Water: 32.17

http://followingblazes.blogspot.com/p/my-gear-list.html

Firefighter503
03-03-2012, 21:41
Looking good Rayo. You will seldom need 3L of water, but start with that if you think you will need it. Count on about 4 lbs less wait though after you figure that out!

tophatxj
03-04-2012, 15:04
34 pounds with food and water

swamprat
03-04-2012, 15:07
35 lbs. 4 days of food

swjohnsey
03-04-2012, 15:42
About 19 pounds with five days food and 2L water.

I'm gonna call BS on that one, figure 5 days food 10 lbs, 2 l water 4 lb. I'd like to see that 5 lb gear list.

rocketsocks
03-04-2012, 16:04
I'm gonna call BS on that one, figure 5 days food 10 lbs, 2 l water 4 lb. I'd like to see that 5 lb gear list.:eek:Zingaa

Tenderheart
03-04-2012, 16:52
I'm gonna call BS on that one, figure 5 days food 10 lbs, 2 l water 4 lb. I'd like to see that 5 lb gear list.

B.S., huh??? God, I love WB.

swjohnsey
03-04-2012, 17:12
Post the list.

msupple
03-04-2012, 17:13
I'd be curious to know what all you 22 +-pounders are carrying for shelters. I'm around 27-28 lbs with food and water enough to reach Neels Gap. I feel like I've scaled back most of my weight other than my pack itself and my shelter which happens to be a hammock. I suspect the hammock is the main culprit but I'm not willing to give up the comfort. I also don't plan on sleeping in a shelter unless absolutely necessary.

Miner
03-04-2012, 17:24
"I'm gonna call BS on that one, figure 5 days food 10 lbs, 2 l water 4 lb. I'd like to see that 5 lb gear list."
Given that I know a guy who thru-hiked the PCT with a 4 to 5lb baseweight, I don't see the problem. I'm more interested in why such a light pack needs to carry 5 days of food to the 1st resupply. I put 4 down and even I don't think it will take me that long and I'm going with 22lbs.

"I'd be curious to know what all you 22 +-pounders are carrying for shelters."
A cuben fiber tarp and a lightweight bivy sack for ~15oz. Worked for me for the past 4 years and a pct thru-hike. But not everyone likes using a tarp which is why there are other lightweight alternatives: Henry Shire's Tarptent, Zpacks Hexamid shelter, light heart, MLD's Cricket Tent, Duomids, and trailstar shelters, etc.

swjohnsey
03-04-2012, 18:01
I'd be curious to know what all you 22 +-pounders are carrying for shelters. I'm around 27-28 lbs with food and water enough to reach Neels Gap. I feel like I've scaled back most of my weight other than my pack itself and my shelter which happens to be a hammock. I suspect the hammock is the main culprit but I'm not willing to give up the comfort. I also don't plan on sleeping in a shelter unless absolutely necessary.

I'm using a Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1, comes in just under 2 lbs, no bags and 6 titanium stakes.

birdygal
03-04-2012, 21:05
I am at 29 1/2 lbs every item has been weighed on a postal scale so it is accurate, 1 liter of water and enough food for 7 days which will get me from Unicoi Gap to Franklin Tn > I am not starting at Springer just doing a really long section hike to finish the AT 2134 miles and it seems kind of dumb to waste time hitching 10 miles to resupply after 1 1/2 days of hiking

birdygal
03-04-2012, 21:08
I forgot to add my 7 days of food only weighs 7 lbs I don't have a big appetite when hiking, I am sure that will change but I know it will not the first week

Tenderheart
03-05-2012, 09:57
I'm gonna call BS on that one, figure 5 days food 10 lbs, 2 l water 4 lb. I'd like to see that 5 lb gear list.

You know, you are right. I apologize. I was looking at the scales upside down. The weight was 91 lbs., not 19.


Base weight: 8 lbs.
5 days food: 7 lbs.
2 Liter water: 4 lbs.
Total: 91 lbs.

swjohnsey
03-05-2012, 10:24
My base weight........ 11. 5 lbs
2 1/2 days food...........4.0 lbs
l quart water...............2.0 lbs
.................................................
Total........................17.5 lbs

Resupply at Neels Gap

Tenderheart
03-05-2012, 13:24
My base weight........ 11. 5 lbs
2 1/2 days food...........4.0 lbs
l quart water...............2.0 lbs
.................................................
Total........................17.5 lbs

Resupply at Neels Gap

Then I guess you win the pissin' contest. Did the OP say anything about starting in GA??

atmilkman
03-05-2012, 14:07
4-5 days food+water 25lbs-summer 30lbs-winter

Mike2012
03-11-2012, 00:21
Well crap if my pack didn't come in at 38 minus water. Weighed it before heading for the train. Reckon ill be mailing something back from neel gap in a few days. I'm 215 pounds and didn't bring any fuel thanks to the scare mongering/ very prudent advice about what was allowed on amtrak.

Bearpaw
03-11-2012, 00:42
Started the AT 13 years ago with 57 pounds. Seemed fine as I had just left the Marine Corps. Nowadays I would start with maybe 30 ponds and it would seem pretty heavy since I'm not in great shape. Go walk for a couple of months. You won't worry about pack weight so much.

TOMP
03-11-2012, 01:00
weighed it today and I am all packed and ready to go for my monday start. Its 29.5 pounds so a little less than expected.

Winds
03-11-2012, 02:09
8lbs without a liter of water is what I've trimmed down to

Wow, my double-wide camp pillow weighs as much. I’m glad I didn’t go with the deluxe model with extra fringe.

I am working on getting down to 35 lbs. pack + 4 days of food.
I will hike 6’ 210 lbs. (15% or less body fat to start)

It makes a difference if you are a 140 lb woman or a 210 lb man.
I am really curious what is everyone’s body weight and then pack weight?

Wolf - 23000
03-11-2012, 02:18
I'm gonna call BS on that one, figure 5 days food 10 lbs, 2 l water 4 lb. I'd like to see that 5 lb gear list.

I'm going to stay out of this form for this very reason. Why is it that there are so many "hikers" that call BS because someone travels lighter weight than the average? Hiking with 5 lbs is not hard, the gear has been around for over 20 years but yet still some hikers want to act surprise. There are multiple TV shows of men travel through the wilderness with little to no gear - Man vs Wild, Survivorman to name two. The real question is why are some hikers who claiming to be trying to backpack "light-weight" acting surprise by this.

Wolf

swjohnsey
03-11-2012, 10:28
The television shows are mostly BS, too. I guess what puzzled me was a guy goin' ultra light while carrying four pounds of uncecessary water. Internet forums are for provoking debate. I started out last year at about 28 lbs with food and water. This year I'm under 18 lbs. The forum works!

LDog
03-11-2012, 12:27
Base weight is 21 lbs (tho I've identified 2 lbs of stuff I could live without)
Food and water is about 12 lbs
Worn/carried is 8 lbs (including camera kit)
Skin out is 41 lbs

Plus I probably have 20 lbs of fat that I didn't add to my food weight ...

Kerosene
03-11-2012, 18:35
My base weight for shoulder season section hikes is 18 pounds. I typically hike with 4-5 days of food, fuel and consummables, plus 2.5 liters of water (I hate running out), which adds another 11 pounds. My worn clothing comes to 5 pounds, which results in a skin-out weight of 34 pounds. Fortunately, I've been able to keep my body weight down, while increasing my lean body mass.

Wolf - 23000
03-12-2012, 03:00
The television shows are mostly BS, too. I guess what puzzled me was a guy goin' ultra light while carrying four pounds of uncecessary water. Internet forums are for provoking debate. I started out last year at about 28 lbs with food and water. This year I'm under 18 lbs. The forum works!

swjohnsey,

I travel by what most people consider UL (base weight under 5 pounds), I've hiked under 5 pounds for over 20 years now. My base weight has change very little sense I've started. What I've seen is many hikers here on line seem real quick to jump on anyone who travel UL - under 5 pounds. Well I think it is safe to say enough people have seem me over the years to know, yes I do travel that light.

As for the water question, well I'll say this my own personal experience, sometimes the advice we receive from other hikers is not always the best – even by hikers who claim to be hiker guru. My experience has been using my own noggin has help me the most on what equipment to choice. Everyone here has their own option on what is the best equipment and what is the worst equipment. Do I really need to ask the question on what someone else is carrying? It doesn’t help.

Wolf

swjohnsey
03-12-2012, 07:25
Yes it does. Questioning the norm is what leads to change. The first ultralighter asked the question, "Why are you carrying 40 lbs?"

Wolf - 23000
03-12-2012, 16:12
Well I think we have a different view of helping. Do you believe there are still hikers who act surprise that someone can backpack under 20 pounds total weight? It has only been done for the last 20+ years, but yet some hikers still act surprise.

Looking at what others carried has never helped me. Anyone who has done the AT will tell you that ever: backpack, sleeping bag, stove, jacket, etc has been used successfully to hike the AT. Everything from a $10 Kmart special to $500 backpacks has been used. I cannot see how that helps anyone. Any good backpacker will buy their gear to cater to their hiking style.

As one of the first ultralighter backpackers, I do not ever remember every asking, "Why are you carrying 40 lbs?" I never care what someone else carried. I am not carrying it. They are the one who physically had to pick up ever item, and place it into their pack.

Wolf

swjohnsey
03-12-2012, 16:59
In some ways I agree. I'm not an ultralight backpacker. Hell, I carry a Wisperlite stove. I am influenced by the ultralight crowd and pay attention to what others are carrying.

Juice
03-12-2012, 17:27
@ Wolf 23000,

Just for my info, are you talking about hiking in Hawaii or gear that will get you safely over Mt. Washington?

Wolf - 23000
03-12-2012, 17:50
Juice,

I'm talking equipment that has gotten me over Mt. Washington, NH and the entire AT, PCT, LT, JMT and more.

Currently I am station here in Hawaii - will be leaving next month after 3 years. And yes, here I have broken the one pound mark, total gear list was under one pound. Some hikers might remember I tried to do the same on the JMT a few years ago but could only get down to 18 oz for 2/3 of the trip and 14 oz for the rest.

My point is hikers have for years been backpacking ultralight-weight. Do I spend my time looking at what others are carrying ... no. Why should I care what they are carrying? They are the one who is carrying it. I think a lot of hikers carry a lot of extra items that I wouldn't carry, but they are carrying it because they want to. And gear is only part of the equation. A gear list doesn't tell you how they are hiking the trail. Someone gear list might be used for example by someone traveling with a partner, a friend or solely. How good are their wilderness skills? There are many hikers, that could not even build a camp fire. Of course these hikers are going to carry more.

Gear list, asking about how much others are carrying ... why? Worry more about what you are carrying than others. It has always served me right.

Wolf

SGT Rock
03-12-2012, 18:27
I envy you wolf. I never got to Hawaii. Retiring soon?

Juice
03-12-2012, 18:42
Wolf,

Obviously people need to pack according to their ability and level of skills. Please don't take my post as an attempt to insult you, I was curious as to the specific question I asked. It may be that you've never used others experience to make improvements in your own kit or style but I certainly have. Until the last year I've held a 20-25lb base weight and now I can comfortably jump between 6-10 lb base weight depending on many factors.

Malto
03-12-2012, 20:03
If I were leaving Springer tomorrow I would have 13lbs.

Base Weight - 8lb
Food - 3lb (1.5 days)
Water - 2lb (1L)

When I left Campo on the PCT my pack weight was 24 lb.
Base Weight - 8lb.
Food - 8lb (4 days)
Water 8lb. (4L)

In reality I had 8lbs too much. If I would have paid attention to the water report I would have known that there was plentiful water in the first section. Also, I did higher miles than I had expected and arrived in Warner Springs in a bit over 3 days, I could have saved an extra day of food. Bottom line, as I got more experienced I was able to keep the food and water weight as optimized as I had gotten my gear. I saw many hikers arrive at a resupply with lbs of food left over. That is a crime!

Wolf - 23000
03-12-2012, 20:17
gg - man,

I did the same thing my first time leaving Campo. I made the mistake because of a "guru on lightweight backpacking" who said he left Campo with 17 pounds. My pack wasn't even close to that. The only thing I could think he was carrying extra water. So I carried an extra gallon of water that I didn't need. I was new to desert hiking.

Wolf

Wolf - 23000
03-12-2012, 20:20
I envy you wolf. I never got to Hawaii. Retiring soon?

This is my second tour to Hawaii and yet I never once requested coming here. I've always let the Army figure out where they need me.

As for Retiring soon, I wish. I have another 7 more years before hiting the magic 20 year mark. Then I can go live the good life like you do.

Wolf

SGT Rock
03-12-2012, 20:23
It is nice. I'm heading up to the Smokys tomorrow. 7 years out flies fast.

FWIW I think my base tomorrow is 11.5 as if it matters. The hammock ups the weight a bit LOL.

Wolf - 23000
03-12-2012, 20:35
Wolf,

Obviously people need to pack according to their ability and level of skills. Please don't take my post as an attempt to insult you, I was curious as to the specific question I asked. It may be that you've never used others experience to make improvements in your own kit or style but I certainly have. Until the last year I've held a 20-25lb base weight and now I can comfortably jump between 6-10 lb base weight depending on many factors.

Juice,

I did not take your comment as an insult. It was simple a question. From my own experience, I started my AT listening to everyone who offered advice: I end up carrying about 100 pounds on my back. When I started listening to myself, I got my pack leaving town with 10 - 15 pounds - that was back in 1989 when the gear was not as light as it is now.

The PCT was similar. When I listen to others who had done the trail, including by the guru of lightweight backpacking again I carried extra weight that I didn't need. What I found is everyone has their own hiking style. That hiking style and the hiker skill level is what effect their pack weight more than anything. Is someone really going to spend several hundren of dollars because someone like one sleeping bag over another, one backpack over another, one stove over another, etc?

Wolf

LeeAllure
05-12-2012, 12:37
Yes, I'm heading south. I'm sure there will be times I don't need to carry that much.

I also don't want to spend a lot of time in towns, so if I can carry more food and
skip going into one, I'll be happy.


Don't you think 6 days food is a bit extreme. are you a Sobo?
Why is everyone taking so much food ?

Maddog
05-12-2012, 16:28
I just got back from a 4 day drip in the Cohutta Wilderness...my starting pack weight was 17lbs! :)

Edie
05-12-2012, 19:55
Probably a stupid question, but how do you weigh your pack? Just now getting mine stocked

LDog
05-12-2012, 21:31
Probably a stupid question, but how do you weigh your pack? Just now getting mine stocked

Put it on, get on a bathroom scale, take it off and get back on, subtract the second weight from the first.

Wolf - 23000
05-13-2012, 08:11
Probably a stupid question, but how do you weigh your pack? Just now getting mine stocked

I just ask the Post Office to weigh my pack. Before leaving town with everything included or without the food. If they are not to swamp they are more than willing to do it. Not all the time of course but every so often. Normal there is little differents through-out my hikes.

Wolf

q-tip
05-13-2012, 08:12
Final Colorado Trail Kit at 16.1 lbs. This is everything-food is about 1.5/day + water. I figure 25-27 lbs the heaviest. I am training with a 35 lb. pack. I think this is it-six months in the planning and buying of lighter gear. I save a total of 4.1 lbs from my AT pack.

garlic08
05-13-2012, 08:18
Probably a stupid question, but how do you weigh your pack? Just now getting mine stocked

Another option is to use a kitchen scale to weigh everything in the pack, put it all on a spreadsheet, and add it up. If you have anything that weighs more than the scale will handle (mine goes up to about three pounds), use the manufacturer's listed weight. The advantage of this method is you'll see exactly where your weight is, if you care.

Edie
05-13-2012, 08:37
Thats what I was thinking

SouthMark
05-13-2012, 09:07
I have an app for my iPhone/iPad called Gram Weenie. I keep all my gear listed in it by category (shelter, sleep, etc) and then just create trip list for each trip I take. Very useful to look back and see what I carried last year in Maine, etc.

My first light/ultralight trip was in March of 1983 through the Smokies. 18 lbs starting weight including food and water. I had my first frameless pack by Sierra Designs.

Minnitonka
06-05-2012, 08:03
Like your quote.

msupple
06-05-2012, 09:23
I'd be curious to know what all you 22 +-pounders are carrying for shelters. I'm around 27-28 lbs with food and water enough to reach Neels Gap. I feel like I've scaled back most of my weight other than my pack itself and my shelter which happens to be a hammock. I suspect the hammock is the main culprit but I'm not willing to give up the comfort. I also don't plan on sleeping in a shelter unless absolutely necessary.

Interestingly enough, I left Springer on April 2nd weighing 24 lbs with three days food and one liter of water. I can't recall now how I shed those four lbs, but I'm glad I did. :)

Cat in the Hat

Stink Bug
06-05-2012, 10:23
About 17lb with cold weather gear http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=5694 and about 14lb for the summer!

swjohnsey
06-11-2012, 11:32
It is very sad, folks think Ima day hiker.

WingedMonkey
06-15-2012, 08:14
all of this members messages are spam