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View Full Version : Yipee! I am a Happy Hiker!



Swordpen
06-06-2013, 18:59
(does the Happy Dance)!

I have so much arthritis & a hip replacement, I thought I'd never be able to go on a longish hike, my pack weight was 27# & I could feel it bothering my hips. I had stuff in it that most wouldn't carry if they didnt have arthritis pretty bad.

I got my total pack weight down to 22# (includes 3 days food, 2 L water, a 27oz camp stool (for my back & standing up with bad hips), tent, 1.5 sleeping pads (for hips), clothes, sleeping bag, 9 oz New Trent charger, canister stove & titanium cookset, etc).

I just got my Z-packs Arc Blast, what a great backpack & a major player in getting the weight down!

I was also using the Golite Imogene UL2 tent, but am going to go back to my Lightheart Solo as its lighter (I will have to somehow deal with the stakes & the rocky ground I hike in).


Sorry, this is old hat for a lot of you, but the pack weight was a major problem I was dealing with, & the extra 1/2 sleeping pad, & stool was something I had to have (or I wouldnt make it hiking, from pain).

Anyway, thanks for reading! :)

Meriadoc
06-06-2013, 19:05
Congratulations! Happy trails :)

V Eight
06-06-2013, 19:31
Congrats,
I have found that I continually evaluate my gear. I’m not really a gear head, just always on the look out for improvements for not only reduced weight, but improved functionality, even at the cost of a couple ounces.
I’m glad you are getting your kit improved. Remember it is your kit and you have to carry it. If your happy with you kit, the rest will fall into place.

moose717
06-07-2013, 09:47
Great Swordpen ... I'm happy for you ... I have arthritis in my lower back and I know that feeling when you get the pack with gear just the right way with everything you need!

TrilliumTrekker
06-07-2013, 17:45
Congrats.. Keep hiking. It is too good to give up. http://www.trailquest.net/mechanics.html#back try this link for how another hiker deals with back back and knees.

Chair-man
06-07-2013, 18:30
27oz camp stool

I'm curious as to what stool you got?

The camp chair I got (http://www.rei.com/product/638053/camp-time-roll-a-chair) weighs 47oz, sets up in a flash and sits a whole 19" off the ground.

I decided against the REI Flex Chair (http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair) as it seemed like too much trouble assembling and breaking down every time I take a break and it sat waaaaay to low off the ground at only 13" high.

I feel fortunate not to have any (knock on wood) joint pain at my age.

good luck to ya.

rocketsocks
06-07-2013, 22:00
Hey that's great news....walking and hiking is a big deal when you can't...good for you :sun

Swordpen
06-07-2013, 23:32
I'm curious as to what stool you got?

The camp chair I got (http://www.rei.com/product/638053/camp-time-roll-a-chair) weighs 47oz, sets up in a flash and sits a whole 19" off the ground.

I decided against the REI Flex Chair (http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair) as it seemed like too much trouble assembling and breaking down every time I take a break and it sat waaaaay to low off the ground at only 13" high.

I feel fortunate not to have any (knock on wood) joint pain at my age.

good luck to ya.

Hi Chairman,

I have a 18" high "Walkstool Tripod Stool Comfort" that the legs telescope in. 18" is the standard height for chairs (like a kitchen chair).

This is basically the usual campstool, but on steroids, it holds 440# (yes really)!

I got it on Amazon, its $74.95 with Prime Shipping. It actually weighs 26 oz.

HTH

Chair-man
06-08-2013, 04:14
Hi Chairman,

I have a 18" high "Walkstool Tripod Stool Comfort" that the legs telescope in. 18" is the standard height for chairs (like a kitchen chair).



Mine actually weighs 40 oz not 47oz.

I had to have the back rest, a stool wouldn't cut for me and mine has 4 legs, very sturdy. And besides, if I had gotten a stool I would have had to change my trail name to Stool-man which would have negative connotations:D.