Bogley

shlingdawg · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 821 Location: Western Washington

I'm getting ready for a trip into Garfield basin next week and was wondering what the consensus is on proper backpack weight. I'm shooting for a goal of 35 lbs with a maximum allowable weight of 40.

jimflint1 · Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 549 Location: Middle-of-Nowhere

shlingdawg wrote: I'm getting ready for a trip into Garfield basin next week and was wondering what the consensus is on proper backpack weight. I'm shooting for a goal of 35 lbs with a maximum allowable weight of 40.

I recommend this book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0071368280/qid=1121781526/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-6706662-4583029?v=glance&s=books
By Ryel Kesenbaum.

My own advice is to go as low as you can and still have comfort. I think 40 is too much and if I were to go again, I'd try to get it as close to 30 as possible.

Shane

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4043 Location: Hotel California

Much of it has to do with the type of backpack also. Some packs distribute weight better then others. I spent last saturday hauling a 40 pound pack through a grueling slot canyon, and it wasn't that bad - mainly because the pack I was using did a very good job of distributing weight evenly and it was comfortable. YMMV.

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 12601 Location: The Rubbish Bin

I still consider myself a beginner backpacker, even though I started about 4 years ago.

I ALWAYS overpack. I try to stay at 45 lbs, and then in the last half hour before the trip, all of this weight just comes from nowhere.

I brought 67 lbs up to King's Peak (Well, Dollar Lake anyways).

I brought in over 70 lbs up to Alsop Lake in the Uintas.

I had about 60 lbs going to Havasu Canyon.

I'm just a pack rat. I never go without though. I'm always comfortable.

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7857 Location: On Your Screen

Yeah I think it is better to have a few extra things than to wish you had something. My packs used to weight around 60-65lbs several years ago. In fact my dad and I packed in our float tubes and gear to a few lakes one time. For two different trips in fact and our packs were around 90lbs. YOWZA!!!! :stud:

About 4 years ago I decided to bite the bullet and get some really good gear. I bought and ultra light bag/pad/bivy sack combo. Wow what a difference in weight. Now I don't need a tent and that really helps. I find that my pack is now around 40lbs and is much more comfortable to carry. I still bring some good/heavy food with me. Then I can also find some light stuff from Walmart to take. My brother just brought my dad and I a box of MRE's when he came home from 29 palms for the weekend. Although I have always been vehemently against them, I might give them a shot this year. He has told me which ones are good and it is really cool how they work.

shlingdawg · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 821 Location: Western Washington

I can't imagine 90 lbs. :eek2: I bought some good gear for this trip. Cat's Meow bag (3 lbs.) Mt. Hardward 3/4 pad, etc. etc. Round trip w/ the pack is going to be around 25 miles. Half of that will be w/out food though. I'm really stuggling with theh provisions that I want vs. need.

I'd love to have my tube/waders up there, but those Bucks Bags are HEAVY!

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7857 Location: On Your Screen

shlingdawg wrote: I can't imagine 90 lbs. :eek2: I bought some good gear for this trip. Cat's Meow bag (3 lbs.) Mt. Hardward 3/4 pad, etc. etc. Round trip w/ the pack is going to be around 25 miles. Half of that will be w/out food though. I'm really stuggling with theh provisions that I want vs. need.

I'd love to have my tube/waders up there, but those Bucks Bags are HEAVY!
Yeah I think we may have been taking drugs that year? :lol8: :ne_nau:

I also have the Mt. Hardwear stuff. NICE!!! You better have a good camera in the mix. We will expect a full report with pictures upon your return. :nod:

shlingdawg · Joined: 07 Jul 2005 Posts: 821 Location: Western Washington

Yup. I'm taking a Minolta Dimage X. Small, very lightweight in a 3.1 megapixel variety. Not the greatest of cameras, but it gets the job done well.

crazy horse · Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 12:44 pm Post subject:

I'd say try to keep it as light as you can, barring crazy stuff that those gram counters do (cutting off toothbrush handles, removing clothing labels, etc., etc.) The lighter your pack is, the more terrain you'll be able to cover and the more agile you'll be. 30-35lbs is probably ok, but you could definately go even lighter if you want to. Check out like www.backpacker.com/ultralight for some tips.

Shan · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 794 Location: Cache Valley

Woah I need to reassess my pack S.T.A.T.! I brought a 50 pound pack to the local winter yurt, plus my skis and boots were another 13 pounds.

But it was only a sleeping bag, one set of dry clothes, food for 3 days, pots and water. What the.....?

TreeHugger · Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Posts: 1068

A pack should be approximately one quarter to one third of your body weight.

140 lbs = approx. a 35 - 46 pound pack. I try to never pack over 35 pounds. I learned better when I took about 50 or so pounds to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

Shan · Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 794 Location: Cache Valley

Ha! I'm 125lb. I couldn't figure out why my pack was so heavy for that yurt trip. Hubby carried the alcohol too....

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 12601 Location: The Rubbish Bin

TreeHugger wrote: A pack should be approximately one quarter to one third of your body weight.

OK, so I guess I'm not such a loser when I pack 60 lbs. I weigh 220 lbs, and it's all man, baby! :afro:

JDRower · Joined: 03 Jan 2006 Posts: 2 Location: NorCal

I've found the Granite Gear Virga or Golite Jam (both about 21-ozs and close to 3000 cubes) is fine for what I need. More than 3000-cubes and there's the temptation to fill the space. The Aether 45 is also nice but a tad heavy.

Including pack, tent, bag, mat etc (for up to 2-weeks), base weight is under 12-lbs. Food is 1.5-lbs a day (I weigh 170-lbs) and generally average 18-miles a day.

Carrying 20-22 lbs, depending on distance to resupply (water is carried on the hipbelt so it doesn't add weight to the shoulders - the day's food and other essentials are carried in pants cargo pockets) allows me to wear trail runners whenever less than half the day is spent on snow and/or ice.

JD

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 12601 Location: The Rubbish Bin

JDRower wrote: Including pack, tent, bag, mat etc (for up to 2-weeks), base weight is under 12-lbs. Food is 1.5-lbs a day (I weigh 170-lbs) and generally average 18-miles a day.
Dude, I hope I can get there! :nod:

Welcome to the forum, JDRower! :2thumbs: Make sure you intro yourself in the Newbies section.

Man, I've just got to start spending some money on some light stuff.

I really do think that I plan my food out, clothes, and other stuff. But everytime, I'm killing myself. I'm a bigger lad though, and can usually handle it. I'm a little slower on the trail, but I make it, and I don't think I whine about it that much.