Sub 20 lbs. for the first time!

[andrewsmith729]

I'm leaving for Springer this coming Thursday, doing a section hike with two friends from college. We are hiking from Springer to the Smokies, which will connect two significant chunks that we've done. I'm guessing the first time I hiked on the AT in '05 my pack weighed close to 50 lbs. For my upcoming hike my total pack weight is 19.6 lbs. That includes 2 liters of water and 3 days of food, which will be the max we will carry. I've shaved weight by updating gear, sharing responsibility between the three of us, and cutting out all unnecessary items. I'm not an ultra-lighter by any means, but a 44 liter pack that weights 19.6 lbs. feels much better than an 80 liter pack that weighs 50 lbs!

No real reason to post except that I was super excited to be under the 20 lb barrier!

[ScottP]

Congrats! I hope you enjoy your hike.

[Fiddleback]

Congrats indeed!! Doesn't it feel great!!!

FB

[Loneoak]

Nice, would like to see your gear list

[swjohnsey]

I'm at about the same weight. I think we're gonna be much happier. I start from Springer the 30th.

[Wags]

great job man. i'm sure your knees will be happy after you get home! you stomach will too b/c you'll probably be taking less ibuprofen. next benchmark: 15lbs

[MaybeTomorrow]

Cool, tell us how you did it and what you pack.

[skinewmexico]

Awesome. Although there are a large group of people on this forum who will say you're gonna be uncomfortable and then die now. Silly rabbits.

[Firefighter503]

Another congrats from me. I finally hit <20 lb when I got to Damascus last year on my 650 mile section hike. I shared your excitement, it is a wonderful feeling. Wait until you hit a <10 lb summer base. I am even more excited about that!

[Falcon]

What's on your gear list? I have carried 27 lbs. and would like to get lighter.

[Stir Fry]

Con grats, I'm have done the same, I'm doing a section from Davenport gap to Erwin TN and have finaley got my pack down to less then 20lb. 19lb 10 oz to be ex. Feels good. I did this same section 5 years ago and started with 48 lb.

No mater how much you read, untill you have gone out and seen for yourself what you do not need you will always carry extra.

[Airborne]

I would also like to know your gear list. I start a section hike April 1 but pack is still 35 lbs which includes 2.5 quarts of water

[Stir Fry]

2011 List
Item Description Weight


Back Pack

1. ULA Catalyst

2lb 12oz
Total 2lb 15oz 47oz



Shelter

1. Warbonnet Black bird.
2. Home made Cubin fiber tarp, with 6 Titanium
stakes 10.5X8.5
3. Home made UQ, 72”X48” ( 900 fill down)
Momentum 50, 3” loft, good to 15*-20*

24oz

10oz

17oz
Total 3lb 04oz 52oz



Sleeping

1. Home made Quilt good to 15*-20*
2. Pillow, Cocoon

24oz
03oz
Total 1lb11oz 27oz



Cooking and hydration



Pocket Rocket Stove
Titanium Pot 1.3 L, Evernew
Cup, Ever New titanium
Spoon, IKEA
Carabineer Knife, Kershaw.
Water bladder 3L, Platypus
7. 1L water bottle, Gatorade Bottle

03oz
05oz
03oz
01oz
02oz
05oz
02oz
Total 1lb 10oz 26oz



Hygiene



Tooth brush
Mouth wash
Towel/ handkerchief
Soap
Toilet paper
Wet wipes

01oz
02oz
02oz
01oz
02oz
02oz
Total lb 06oz 06oz



First Aid and Miscellaneous



First aid kit, Mole skin, Tape, , Q tips, Medications, Tweezers, antiseptic ointment,
Camp shoes, Under Armor
3 Extra batteries and batteries chargers.
4 Camera, Cyber Shot
5 Cell Phone
6 I Pod. Nano
7 lighter

03oz
08oz
04os
06oz
03oz
01oz
01oz
Total 1lb09oz 25oz



Rain Gear



Z Packs Cloud/ Cubin fiber
Home made, Rain skirt /Cubin fiber
Hat, Marmot, wide brim
Home Made, Rain cover for pack,/ Cubin fiber

05oz
01oz
02oz
01oz Total 09oz 9oz



Extra clothing, warm weather



Underwear synthetic, Under Armor
Merino wool socks
wind breaker pants
Wind breaker
Patagonia Merino wool long sleeve shirt
Smart wool, Marino wool , Long Johns
MontBell Puffball jacket
Black Rock hat down.
.

03oz
03oz
.03oz
04oz
10oz
06oz
08oz
01oz
Total 2b02z 38









Clothing worn



Mt Hardware Kilt
T shirt Ice Breaker Marino wool
Merino wool socks
Underwear Under Armor

11oz
05oz
04oz
04oz
Total 1lb 04oz 20oz



Total for each category



Pack
Shelter
Sleeping
Cooking and Hydration
Hygiene
First aid and Miss
Rain gear
Extra clothing
Total Base weight.

2lb 12oz 47oz
3lb 01oz 52oz
1lb 08oz 27oz
1lb 04oz 26oz
0lb 10oz 06oz
1lb 09oz 25oz
0lb 08oz 09oz
2lb 02z 38oz
14lb 06oz 230oz
230

[andrewsmith729]

I don't have an itemized list with individual weights but I do have some of the major items that I definitely was able to cut weight on....

- I went from an old Jansport internal frame pack to an Osprey Atmos 50 and then even lighter to an Osprey Talon 44

- I went from a heavy TNF Cat's Meow sleeping bag to a 2 lb. Sierra Designs 800 fill down bag. Packs down half the size of the TNF bag.

- I went from an old heavy ThermaRest to a Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Mummy pad

- I went from an old Coleman white gas stove to an MSR Pocket Rocket

- I carry an old sil-nylon tarp when I solo, but for this trip I am only carrying the poles for a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2

- I wear short gaiters, shorts, Treksta hiking shoes, smartwool socks and a synthetic shirt. In my pack I have a Mountain Hardwear Drystein jacket, spare shorts, one pair socks, beanie hat, Underarmour tights, a light fleece, and a long sleeve synthetic shirt.

- I stopped using Nalgenes and bladders and carry lightweight bottled water bottles

- Some ways I cut weight elsewhere...stopped carrying unnecessary items. i.e. heavy headlamp, candle, water filter, rain pants, too many spare clothes, pillow, etc.

[RodentWhisperer]

@Stir Fry: That look's dialed-in-perfect, man! It's awesome to see all the homemade stuff. My only question: where's your water treatment system? Are you using AquaMira or Potable Aqua? Or something completely different?

[Stir Fry]

I carry AquaMira tabs X10 not listed but its in the fers taid kit. Mostly I do not treat unless the water is suspect.

[RodentWhisperer]

I carry AquaMira tabs X10 not listed but its in the fers taid kit. Mostly I do not treat unless the water is suspect.

You have more faith in water purity than I. Have a great hike!