Originally Posted by
Utah Hikes
Completed my second trial hike with full kit including that BV500 w/3 days food, as well as a toiletries bag and cook pot w/stove and fuel. First hike was a section of the MST in NC. For that, I fastened the BV atop my pack (GG Crown 2) under the brain, which secured it fine. Carried a bit top heavy, though. It was bearable, no pun intended.
Today I completed the second trial hike, a shorter route, this time on the AT, an out-and-back from Carvers Gap NOBO over Round Bald, Jane Bald, to Grassy Ridge. Same full-kit w/3-day food load (30 lbs). But this second time I managed to fit the BV horizontally inside the pack, just above my quilt and clothes dry sack, with my tent and sleep pad above the BV. Tight as a tick, but much better result, with that BV in a lower spot. Carried very nicely.