Trying to get lighter!

[Mags]

The jacket looks like a good find. How warm is it ? Can't beat the price.

Pretty warm. Somewhere between 200 wt and 300 wt fleece I'd say, but a bit more wind resistant. They run large. You may also want to sew up the pits a bit. If you are really handy with sewing, adding an elastic band to the cuffs and waist would probably be useful, too.

Overall, though, it is a fine budget jacket. I have the jacket, but don't wear it as I bought it after I bought a much more $$$ Montbell one at the last minute. I plan on modifying the liner jacket a bit for grins. I do wear the similar liner pants for car camping and "social" backpacks and find them very warm.

Even without modifying, it is a great jacket for the price. As the neck opens a bit, you may want to wear it with a balaclava in colder weather.

BTW: Being under 20 lbs BPW is pretty darn good. You are well on your way to getting lighter. Now, just get out an enjoy it.

[Footslogger]

Good to go. Now what you should do is post a list of everything in your pack with the weights. I know it sounds like a lot but - we have some people that have looked at item X and found ways to do it lighter, there are lots of ways to do this that you may not have thought about yet.

===================

...and if you are the least bit handy with Microsoft Excel you can built a spreadsheet that acts as a "virtual" backpack load. Every time you select/add and item the spreadsheet gives you a running total of total weight. It even can allow for multiple items. I did that back in 2002 when I was getting ready for my thru and it was a real eye-opener. Like Rock said earlier - - every ounce (although he said GRAM) counts !!

'Slogger

[SGT Rock]

===================

...and if you are the least bit handy with Microsoft Excel you can built a spreadsheet that acts as a "virtual" backpack load. Every time you select/add and item the spreadsheet gives you a running total of total weight. It even can allow for multiple items. I did that back in 2002 when I was getting ready for my thru and it was a real eye-opener. Like Rock said earlier - - every ounce (although he said GRAM) counts !!

'Slogger

I've said it both ways in this thread

There are also some already made spreadsheets available if you have Microsloth excel.

[Bear Cables]

Good to go. Now what you should do is post a list of everything in your pack with the weights. I know it sounds like a lot but - we have some people that have looked at item X and found ways to do it lighter, there are lots of ways to do this that you may not have thought about yet.

Okay, here's eveything

Pack - 2lb. 10 oz
Tent with poles,stakes,footprint and stuff sack -3lbs.13 oz
Bag in stuff sack - 2 lbs. 12 oz
chair/sleeping pad - 1lbs 15 oz
rain gear - jacket and pants - 12.7 oz
1st aid -8 bandaids, 4 butterfly bandages,2 tounge depressor splints,mini roll gauze,mini tape, 6 antiseptic wipes, mini tube of antibiotic ointment.mini bottle of "red bug dust" 9 oz.( will add a small ace bandage)
kitchen set - 1 can snow peak fuel, snow peak pocket stove, 2 sm. bowl size pots, 1 1cup plastic coffee cup, a small lighter,film canister of campsuds -1 lb 11oz
clothes - 1 pr shorts, 1 shirt,1 thermal long sleeve shirt, sleeping clothes, 1 pr socks -1 lb 5 oz.
toiletries - travel toothpaste and travel toothbrush, 8 wet wipes, two 1 oz tubes of sunscreen, mini tube of off mosquito repellent - 10 oz.
Pillow - 7.2 oz (could use my clothes and stuff sack for a pillow)
pack cover and a collaspable water bucket - 7.3 oz
small nylon tarp (my luxury item) - 1 lb.
map and guide book pages - 5 oz.
water containers - one 1 3/4 liter playtapus, one 22oz self filtering bottle and 2 22oz gatorade bottles - 11.4 oz
misc.- mini leatherman,reading glasses,mini brush, buff, bandana,headlamp-1lb 5 oz.
Total weight - 19 lbs 13 oz.

[SGT Rock]

Okay, here's eveything

Pack - 2lb. 10 oz
Tent with poles,stakes,footprint and stuff sack -3lbs.13 oz
Bag in stuff sack - 2 lbs. 12 oz
chair/sleeping pad - 1lbs 15 oz
rain gear - jacket and pants - 12.7 oz
1st aid -8 bandaids, 4 butterfly bandages,2 tounge depressor splints,mini roll gauze,mini tape, 6 antiseptic wipes, mini tube of antibiotic ointment.mini bottle of "red bug dust" 9 oz.( will add a small ace bandage)
kitchen set - 1 can snow peak fuel, snow peak pocket stove, 2 sm. bowl size pots, 1 1cup plastic coffee cup, a small lighter,film canister of campsuds -1 lb 11oz
clothes - 1 pr shorts, 1 shirt,1 thermal long sleeve shirt, sleeping clothes, 1 pr socks -1 lb 5 oz.
toiletries - travel toothpaste and travel toothbrush, 8 wet wipes, two 1 oz tubes of sunscreen, mini tube of off mosquito repellent - 10 oz.
Pillow - 7.2 oz (could use my clothes and stuff sack for a pillow)
pack cover and a collaspable water bucket - 7.3 oz
small nylon tarp (my luxury item) - 1 lb.
map and guide book pages - 5 oz.
water containers - one 1 3/4 liter playtapus, one 22oz self filtering bottle and 2 22oz gatorade bottles - 11.4 oz
misc.- mini leatherman,reading glasses,mini brush, buff, bandana,headlamp-1lb 5 oz.
Total weight - 19 lbs 13 oz.

Really quick... I know it is easier to put these items together and weigh them as a lump, but you really ought to look at each item as a seperate item. Here is an example of my packing list:

1. Clothing

Microfiber underwear.........................1..2.08 oz
Wal-Mart running socks.....................1..1.55 oz
Coolmax long sleeve Zip-T.................1..7.53 oz
Equinox sil-nylon stuff sack (storage)..1..1.27 oz
Total............................................. ..12.44 oz

2. Rain Gear
Packa rain jacket.................................1..11.20 oz
OR rain mittens....................................1...1.1 7 oz
ProVent rain pants with re-enforced butt..1..5.62 oz
Seal Skinz goretex socks........................1..3.46 oz
Total............................................. .......21.45 oz

3. Spring/Fall Clothing
Arc'Teryx Powerstretch Pants.................1..8.06 oz
REI Powerstretch shirt...........................1..9.33 oz
Wigwam hiking socks.............................1..2.61 oz
Wigwam knit hat...................................1..2.44 oz
Wigwam glove liners..............................1..1.10 oz
Total............................................. .......23.53 oz

4. Winter Clothing
Wigwam heavy wool socks......................1..3.29 oz
OR P300 fleece mittens..........................1..1.84 oz
Polypro neck gaiter................................1..2.08 oz
Modified Army surplus field pants liners.....1..8.09 oz
Kennebec insulated pullover.....................1..9.72 oz
Total............................................. ........25.02 oz

5. Kitchen
Plastic spoon........................................1..0. 35 oz
Evernew 0.9L titanium pot.......................1..4.03 oz
Scripto lighter.......................................1..0 .64 oz
9 ounce fuel bottle.................................1..0.78 oz
12 ounce plastic bottle for olive oil..............1..0.95 oz
16 ounce plastic bottle for alcohol..............1..1.06 oz
100 ounce platypus bladder......................1..1.52 oz
Equinox sil-nylon sack (food bag)...............1..1.48 oz
Zip lock bags - 1 gallon............................4..1.27 oz
Glass iodine pill container..........................1..0.35 oz
Plastic Vit C container..............................1..0.18 oz
Plastic hot sauce bottle............................1..0.49 oz
Pot Cozy.............................................. ..1..0.88 oz
Ion stove w/stand and windscreen..............1..0.95 oz
Gatorade bottle with cord and snap link.......1..2.08 oz
Gatorade bowl with cozy..........................1..2.19 oz
Total............................................. .........19.22 oz

6. Miscelaneous Stuff
First aid kit with repair kit and batteries..1..5.16 oz
Bag for fire starter..............................1..0.07 oz
Equinox sil-nylon stuff sack..................1..0.60 oz
Card for data case.............................1..0.18 oz
1 GB data card..................................2..0.14 oz
Total............................................. .....6.15 oz

7. Hygiene
Zip lock bag.....................................1..0.25 oz
Towel mitten....................................1..0.78 oz
1 oz bottle (for soap).........................1..0.28 oz
toothbrush and toothpaste tube w/bag..1..0.46 oz
Total............................................. ......1.77 oz

8. Navigation
Zip lock bag - 1 gallon............................................ ...1..0.32 oz
Zipka Plus Headlamp w/Lithium batteries.......................1..1.91 oz
paper (for trail journal).......................................... ....1..1.38 oz
Pen............................................... ........................1..0.46 oz
Map............................................... .......................2..5.65 oz (average)
Guide book section (homemade fom ALDHA Companion)..1..0.53 oz
Mapdanna.......................................... ...............1..1.59 oz
Total............................................. ......11.84 oz

9. Rucksack, Sleeping, and Shelter
Moonbow Gearskin sil-nylon pack........................1..22.47 oz
Equinox sil-nylon stuff sack (for quilts).................1...1.06 oz
Hennessy Tarp with triptese line..........................1...8.41 oz
Hennessy A-Sym ultralight hammock w/snake skins..1..23.11 oz
JRB No sniveler quilt...........................................1. .18.02 oz
Trash compactor bag (pack liner).........................1...2.26 oz
Custom enzolite mummy sleeping pad....................1...9.61 oz
Stake bag and cord...........................................1.. .2.51 oz
Plastic lawn stakes............................................ 4...0.42 oz
Total............................................. ....................87.88 oz

10. Fall/Spring Hammock Gear
Hungry Howie down quilt.....................................1..17.70 oz
JRB Shock cord system.......................................1...1 .20 oz
Total............................................. .....................18.90 oz

11. Winter Hammock Gear
JRB Weathershield top and bottom........................1..14.42 oz
JRB stuff sack.............................................. .....1...0.49 oz
Space blanket emergency ground cloth..................1...0.95 oz
Total............................................. .....................15.87 oz

12. Luxury items
Recharge cable............................................. .....1..0.57 oz
Headphones........................................ ..............1..0.49 oz
Total............................................. ......................1.06 oz

13. Consumables
Fire starter........................................... ............6..0.71 oz
Dr Bronners Soap.............................................. .6..0.71 oz
Toilet Paper............................................. .........6..1.26 oz
Iodine and Vit C pills..........................................10. .0.28 oz
Toothpaste........................................ ..............30..0.75 oz
Food (2.01 pounds per day average)....................6..194.50 oz
Alcohol fuel.............................................. .........6..7.10 oz
Water............................................. .................1..24.32 oz
Drinking alcohol........................................... .......6..16.70 oz
Total............................................. ....................256.33 oz

14. Clothing Worn and Gear Carried
New Ballance Running shoes................................1..28.27 oz
Wedding Ring.............................................. ......1...0.11 oz
Wal-Mart running socks......................................1...1.5 5 oz
Whiteblaze wicking shirt......................................1...5.6 5 oz
Microfiber underwear......................................... .1...2.08 oz
Nylon shorts............................................ .........1...3.71 oz
Whiteblaze hat............................................... ...1..3.18 oz
ID/Money/credit cards........................................1...2 .47 oz
Scripto lighter........................................... ........1...0.64 oz
Small Swiss Army knife........................................1...0 .64 oz
Timex Expidetion watch (with digital compass)........1...1.27 oz
Dog tags.............................................. ............1...0.95 oz
Hiking poles with rubber tips................................1..19.43 oz
100 MPH tape on poles.......................................1...2. 97 oz
GenX 6.6 MP camera with battery and 1GB card......1...5.94 oz
Soap dish (camera case).....................................1...1.31 oz
Ultrapod camera tripod........................................1... 1.73 oz
Map............................................... ..................1...2.83 oz (average)
Guide book.............................................. ..........1...0.18 oz
Zip lock bag (map case) - 1 gallon........................1...0.32 oz
Total............................................. .....................85.23 oz

1. Clothing...................................12.44 oz
2. Rain Gear.................................21.45 oz
3. Spring/Fall Clothing....................23.53 oz
4. Winter Clothing.........................25.02 oz
5. Kitchen...................................19.22 oz
6. Miscellaneous Stuff.....................6.15 oz
7. Hygiene....................................1.77 oz
8. Navigation...............................11.84 oz
9. Rucksack, Sleeping and Shelter...87.88 oz
10. Spring/Fall Hammock Gear........18.90 oz
11. Winter Hammock Gear.............15.87 oz
12. Luxury Items..........................1.06 oz
Dry weight - Summer...................10.11 pounds
Dry weight - Spring/Fall................12.77 pounds
Dry weight - Winter.....................15.32 pounds

Consumable weight.......................16.02 pounds

Start pack weight........................31.34 pounds

Starting FSO Weight.....................37.67 pounds

Also, this is a slightly older packing list. It does not accuratly describe my pack today - but it is close.

[the_iceman]

For me 2.5 liters is about right and maybe 3 on hot days. 3 liters weighs 6.5 lbs but it diminishes the moment you start drinking.

Last year was a drought year and you had to carry a lot to survive.

Some people carry 40lb packs and are happy some whine at 20 lbs. If you have an unlimited budget then re-outfit otherwise start with what you have and send stuff home as you tune up.

There is not "right" setup that fits everyone. You may get a lighter pack but it may not be as comfortable making the hike less enjoyable.

You could use a tarp instead of a tent and deal with bugs and water and all the other crap.

You could go with an alcohol stove but I like to cook not not heat and eat and love my jetboil.

Get the best gear you can afford. Do not be stingy on the bag or the pack. Everything else will work out.

Remember the less you carry the happier you are hiking but the more you carry the happier you are camping.

[the_iceman]

Check out the Big Agnes Seedhouse SuperLight.

A 2 man is a pound lighter than the one you list. It has a roomy vestibule and is huge for 1 person. You would not need the extra tarp you list saving 2 pounds and getting a GREAT tent.

[Mags]

Why a tarp AND a tent? You are carrying almost 5 lbs of shelter.

I do not know your budget, but tarptent.com and sixmoondesigns.com make some nice tents that are pretty light. You could shave off over 2 lbs by swapping out the shelter. At the very least, you could ditch the tarp.

Chair/sleeping pad of almost two pounds. Ouch. A foam pad such a ridge rest, cut down, weighs less than 10 oz and is reasonably comfortable.

I notice you have a LOT of water bottles and a water bucket. Why not Two 1 qt Gatorade bottles and something like a Nalgene canteen? ~5 oz total for 5 liters of water carrying capacity. This is what I use in my Western hikes which tend to be dryer than the AT.

I would get rid of the pillow and use the clothes in the stuff sack.

[Pokey2006]

I still think you need another layer, or a fleece/down jacket. It can get cold at 6,000 feet, even in the summertime.

[Pokey2006]

And lose the tent footprint and tarp and Gatorade bottles.

[Bear Cables]

Why a tarp AND a tent? You are carrying almost 5 lbs of shelter.


Chair/sleeping pad of almost two pounds. Ouch. A foam pad such a ridge rest, cut down, weighs less than 10 oz and is reasonably comfortable.

I would get rid of the pillow and use the clothes in the stuff sack.

I carry the tarp because I have a "thing" about having a rainfall and trying to cook when in camp. What to ya'll do about cooking and eating in the rain? I don't want to cook or eat in a shelter.

I guess I could use a z rest foam pad and use it as a sit-upon. It can easily bend to create a back when rested up against a log.

[Bear Cables]

I still think you need another layer, or a fleece/down jacket. It can get cold at 6,000 feet, even in the summertime.

do you think I need that for the second week of June?

[sofaking]

do you think I need that for the second week of June?

anything over 5000' is a whole different ballgame...

[SGT Rock]

do you think I need that for the second week of June?

I have needed a warm top in August up in the Smokies.

[TIDE-HSV]

Sarge, is that Lower Alabama you're talking about?

LOL. He is from UA (upper AL), and pulls for UA...

[Bulldawg]

I have been in the smokies (not hiking) in August as well and needed a lightweight jacket when just out of the truck for a few minutes. When he says

anything over 5000' is a whole different ballgame

he is 110% right. Even at 4500 feet this past week, it was pretty cool at times. 80*F at 1500 feet in Thursday afternoon and 61*F with 20-25 mph winds at 4500 feet. So don't skimp even in the summer if going high.

[Odd Thomas]

I've said it both ways in this thread

There are also some already made spreadsheets available if you have Microsloth excel.

Most work in Gnumeric as well, free.

http://www.gnome.org/projects/gnumeric/

[SGT Rock]

Thanks for that link.

[Blissful]

A pillow is nice to have. Bumpy clothes just don't cut it for me. I took two on my hike last year (Cocoon). Without good sleep, you can't hike. And my luxury item was my thermarest seat cushion. Good for back end and for my knees when setting up my tent, etc. Campmor sells one. Don't need a chair. Use your pad and a nice tree.

Don't need a tarp. Yeah, it could rain, but then alter your food. Maybe have a cold supper that night and cook in the AM. Or plan to be in a shelter area so you can cook there. You don't want the aggravation anyway of trying to rig an extra tarp thing.

And yes, take a fleece top. I'd use convertible pants.

You have a lot of water containers. One pot will do. Need a spoon. Bear bag hanging.

Why do you need tongue depressor splints?

[Bear Cables]

A pillow is nice to have. Bumpy clothes just don't cut it for me. I took two on my hike last year (Cocoon). Without good sleep, you can't hike. And my luxury item was my thermarest seat cushion. Good for back end and for my knees when setting up my tent, etc. Campmor sells one. Don't need a chair. Use your pad and a nice tree.

Don't need a tarp. Yeah, it could rain, but then alter your food. Maybe have a cold supper that night and cook in the AM. Or plan to be in a shelter area so you can cook there. You don't want the aggravation anyway of trying to rig an extra tarp thing.

And yes, take a fleece top. I'd use convertible pants.

You have a lot of water containers. One pot will do. Need a spoon. Bear bag hanging.

Why do you need tongue depressor splints?

I switched out my chair/pad for a Z rest that I have used before. I cut it in half a long time ago. It will do well leaning against a tree or log. Cut weight from 1 lb. 13 oz to 8oz.

I'm thinking that for layers I'll take my thermal long sleeve, a polar tech vest and my rain jacket. Convertable pants (I have some) seem bulkly. My shorts and rainpants should do okay or I can pack my 7oz goretex pants. I'll weigh them and compare.

Water- how many containers and size do you take. I've already nixed the nalgene. Is a 22 oz and a 1 and 3/4 liter platypus enough? I've got another "thing" about not having enough water

Splints - Broken finger or wrist. It can happen. My older son slipped in the mud and broke his wrist while backpacking in 97. Be prepared

Still not sure about giving up the tarp. In truth I've always hike with one or with someone in the group carrying one. It sure is nice to be dry when you eat.

All of your comments are so helpful. Thanks