A simple thank you

[Veetack]

This site has caused me to obsess over pack weight, to the point that I will pack, repack, remove, replace, or redistribute gear for hours on end several times a week. I finally got to weigh my pack last night and it was 21 pounds with food! I have a few things left to replace that will reduce my weight even more. The advice I've received here has been priceless in every facet and quite entertaining. I just want to thank everyone, so this is my way.

[Wise Old Owl]

cool................

[Spokes]

I'm sure some folks here would like to see that 21 lb pack list of yours.........

[Big Dawg]

I'm sure some folks here would like to see that 21 lb pack list of yours.........

yes... inquiring minds want to know!!

[jakedatc]

Feels good right? So much nicer without a big burden holding you back.

[Blissful]

Don't get so obsessed by it and all the advice. You will figure out what you need that works for you. My average weight is 30 and I'm fine with it.

[jakedatc]

i think it's funny that every thread on here about going lighter is automatically injected with someone carrying more and being "fine". People on here seem to be afraid of change and afraid to accept that there is a better way than what they are doing. Lighter makes hiking more comfortable and when you are hiking like 60% of the time, sleeping 30% and eating 10% you have to look at what is actually necessary.

Even I am like that a little bit. it costs me 1lb to carry my filter instead of Aquamira. in the Whites or on the LT i may change my thinking and switch. i just have to make that jump.

with the technology out there going lighter will almost never be unsafe or uncomfortable. no reason to carry a pack more than 2lb, tent more than 3lb, sleeping bag more than 2-3lb(cept in dead of winter even then you could get close)

(i don't know why this won't start at the beginning.. just rewind to 0:00) If it can work for someone on a 6 month trip, off trail in alaska.. it can sure work for someone on a 3 day weekend trip anywhere down here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGQTcQhL08A

[Moose2001]

i think it's funny that every thread on here about going lighter is automatically injected with someone carrying more and being "fine". People on here seem to be afraid of change and afraid to accept that there is a better way than what they are doing. Lighter makes hiking more comfortable and when you are hiking like 60% of the time, sleeping 30% and eating 10% you have to look at what is actually necessary.

I think it's funny that every thread on here about going lighter is injected by some UL convert who wants to tell me what works for me and how stupid I am for carrying what I want to. Why do you care what I carry? What is it that makes you think you have the right to tell me I'm stupid because I carry 2, 5, 7, or even 10 more pounds than you do? You have no idea what my comfort level is, what I need, what works for me or what makes me happy. Advice on how to cut down your pack weight is great and appropriate. Telling others how to hike is not appropriate.

[surfnturk]

i think it's funny that every thread on here about going lighter is automatically injected with someone carrying more and being "fine". People on here seem to be afraid of change and afraid to accept that there is a better way than what they are doing. Lighter makes hiking more comfortable and when you are hiking like 60% of the time, sleeping 30% and eating 10% you have to look at what is actually necessary.

Even I am like that a little bit. it costs me 1lb to carry my filter instead of Aquamira. in the Whites or on the LT i may change my thinking and switch. i just have to make that jump.

with the technology out there going lighter will almost never be unsafe or uncomfortable. no reason to carry a pack more than 2lb, tent more than 3lb, sleeping bag more than 2-3lb(cept in dead of winter even then you could get close)

(i don't know why this won't start at the beginning.. just rewind to 0:00) If it can work for someone on a 6 month trip, off trail in alaska.. it can sure work for someone on a 3 day weekend trip anywhere down here...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGQTcQhL08A

Maybe some people cant afford to go out and buy 2 lb packs, etc. I personnaly could care less if I have a heavier pack. What makes you think that is "a better way".
I think some people just arent tough enough to handle a little weight on the trail. I look at it as great excersise. I think my way is better.

[rocketsocks]

I would suggest that this condition you have was inherent before you came to White Blaze,as I have it too,and yes it is a perfect tribute to the new way of thinking that I have learned as well.very nice.

[oldbear]

Truth be known I find all of these convos about packweight to be way too obsessive and way too conformist for my blood and for a sport that once took pride in being a place where nonconformists could feel at home .
On my NOBO 2013 hike I'm going carry what I think I need and what makes me happy and if the High Priests and Priestesses of the Go Light Go Right Religion see my Kelty Tioga, figure out that loaded it exceeds the holy number of 19.77 lbs and label me as an heretic that must be stoned then the only mercy that I will ask for is naturally grown weed that doesn't give a sore throat or leaves me nonfunctional

[Winds]

Truth be known I find all of these convos about packweight to be way too obsessive and way too conformist for my blood and for a sport that once took pride in being a place where nonconformists could feel at home .
On my NOBO 2013 hike I'm going carry what I think I need and what makes me happy and if the High Priests and Priestesses of the Go Light Go Right Religion see my Kelty Tioga, figure out that loaded it exceeds the holy number of 19.77 lbs and label me as an heretic that must be stoned then the only mercy that I will ask for is naturally grown weed that doesn't give a sore throat or leaves me nonfunctional

Ahahaha, Cheers!

[Veetack]

Oh.... really important thing I forgot to mention:

I use Aqua Mira, I don't think it changes the taste of the water and it's much smaller and lighter than a pump. Not to mention cheaper. I'm ballin' on a budget.

[Blue Jay]

I love being in a shelter when the temp falls waaay below UL sleeping bag ratings (often they only carry liners) and then you get to watch them putting on their frozen clothing. Weight balance is rarely discussed online, possibly I suspect because cyberhikers rarely toke their noses out unless conditions match their UL gear.

[Odd Man Out]

I love being in a shelter when the temp falls waaay below UL sleeping bag ratings (often they only carry liners) and then you get to watch them putting on their frozen clothing. Weight balance is rarely discussed online, possibly I suspect because cyberhikers rarely toke their noses out unless conditions match their UL gear.

I recommend Skurka's recent gear guide book (I wrote a review recently on the media forum). He describes "stupid light" as people who cut weight just for the sake of cutting weight (and as a result are under-prepared for condition). Instead he makes all his gear choices based on the objectives of the hike, as well as his own needs and abilities. Being UL may be the result, but NEVER the objective. His kit is impressively light, but appropriate for the conditions. Your kit should be different because you have different goals, needs, and abilities, but equally appropriate.

[garlic08]

I love being in a shelter when the temp falls waaay below UL sleeping bag ratings (often they only carry liners) and then you get to watch them putting on their frozen clothing. Weight balance is rarely discussed online, possibly I suspect because cyberhikers rarely toke their noses out unless conditions match their UL gear.

Conversely, it was curious to hike past Newfound Gap in a blizzard carrying a 10 pound pack and wearing running shoes, warm and dry and ready for a 15F night in blowing snow, while every single other hiker in the "pack", dozens of them, bailed out to Gatlinburg soaking wet and miserable. Comfort obviously had nothing to do with the weight of gear people were carrying. They just didn't know how to keep dry in those conditions. And it wasn't very enjoyable watching them.

The next day, I caught up with the next "pack", those who were caught in the blizzard north of Newfound Gap. I helped out a group with a frostbite case. That person had a huge pack and heavy boots. He carried lots of stuff and didn't know how to use it. That wasn't very fun either. He spent some recovery time in a hospital, I later heard.

Not every UL hiker is unprepared for conditions, as noted in Skurka's case and many others. We all tend to criticize those who are different from us, though, so while you see unprepared UL hikers, I see inexperienced hikers carrying too much and hurting themselves. In the middle are plenty of people perfectly happy and experienced with their gear choices who are not interested in changing.

[Blue Jay]

Not every UL hiker is unprepared for conditions, as noted in Skurka's case and many others. We all tend to criticize those who are different from us, though, so while you see unprepared UL hikers, I see inexperienced hikers carrying too much and hurting themselves. In the middle are plenty of people perfectly happy and experienced with their gear choices who are not interested in changing.

This is completely true, often I see UL hikers who are more prepared than I am . My point was that this web site is often preaching and giving advice on lowering pack weight that is irresponsible.

[jakedatc]

I love being in a shelter when the temp falls waaay below UL sleeping bag ratings (often they only carry liners) and then you get to watch them putting on their frozen clothing. Weight balance is rarely discussed online, possibly I suspect because cyberhikers rarely toke their noses out unless conditions match their UL gear.

Since Skurka seems to be too far out of the AT realm recently.. how about Lint? guy will be a double triple crown with 8-10lb baseweight. He did the AT the 2nd time ON A WHIM in 98 days.

yes, some people take it to crazy low weight that anyone could do for a weekend in S.Cal with 60F at night and no rain but plenty of others go out and are prepared for much longer and are prepared for whatever they get.

[Veetack]

I'll post a gear list when I get home. I'm working in the ER tonight and we're a bit busy.

[Winds]

I'll post a gear list when I get home. I'm working in the ER tonight and we're a bit busy.

And when you do, if you would, factor in a cost associated with ALL of it - ballpark figure is fine.
Congrats on getting down to 21 lbs.!

Jake, what you said is true, yet you left out one amazingly difficult factor for many people here: cost.

Many can't or won't (me included there) get the greatest sleeping bag for $600 when one twice as heavy works for $100.