Bogley

canyonphile · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 73 Location: Coastal CT

I've actually never weighed my full pack before a trip, but I guesstimate that it usually is between 30-40 lbs. The wild card is usually the amount of water I have to bring. I did research to find the lightest weight pack that could handle the type of trips I do (so, I have an REI Valhalla that has something like 3500 ci of space (is that right???? hmmm). It weighs around 4 lbs., I think. I also took weight into consideration when buying my tent - I have a Eureka Apex II that weighs less than 5lbs. I used to have a ridgerest pad, but it pretty much sucked, so now I have a thermarest short and I LOVE it and the extra weight is worth it. Plus, I always bring a real pillow (travel-size from Walmart). Tried the 'clothes in the stuffsack' pillow and that also sucked. I don't carry tons of extra clothes, but I have to have clean socks, tops and skivvies for each day. Of course, when your skivvies are basically two small triangles of fabric connected by a thin strip of fabric, weight isn't an issue :haha: . And wool socks don't weigh that much, either. I have a 600 fill down REI bag that compresses to nothing and weighs not much more.

I try not to overpack food because that can get really heavy, and do lots of dried food that I get at the local natural food store. I haven't actually purchased those dehydrated/freezedried backpacking meals, but on the Royal Arch trip I did in April, one of my partners did and it was quite tasty! Obviously, the technology has come a long way for those things.

Those weight nazis that cut their toothbrushes down or drill holes in them, etc., are a bit over the top for me :roll: . I like comfort, particularly when I'm sleeping. I like to bring small luxuries like some rum or port along on the trip in my trusty flask, and I also ALWAYS bring my Tevas. They saved my ass from uncertain misery and more serious damage to my feet when my boots failed to be adequate for the task of the Escalante route in the Big Ditch about 1 1/2 years ago.

SJ

Scott P · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1693

Before I was married, I usually carried a pack around 30 lbs, except for winter mountaineering or dry camps in the desert. Now days I often carry 100 lbs. Aaak.

dbessee · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 98 Location: Longmont, CO

When I started packing with my son (he was 7 at the time) my pack weight jumped from 40-45lbs to 60 in a pack designed for 40, then 85!!! in a Lowe Contour IV. The only saving grace on that trip was the bomber suspension on the Lowe. By the time we hit 9000' I was only down to 75lbs or so at even as a CO native I couldn't find enough air! :eek1: Since then he's grown and I've trimmed (no more Dinty Moore canned stew unless you carry it!) so the pack weight is down to 45 or so with water (4L in the summer as reliable water is sometimes scarce) this seems to work pretty well although I'm always on the lookout for ways to lighten the load while still having the stuff I need to have fun and be safe.

Post pics of the trip!

accadacca · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 7659 Location: On Your Screen

I might be in that boat this summer with my 3 year old. I plan on taking him on some trips. We will have a newborn at home, so I am sure he will be coming with me. I wonder if I can teach him to mountain bike? :idea:

dbessee · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 98 Location: Longmont, CO

They are never too young!! :nod:

My son started hiking on his own feet at 2 and snowshoeing at 5. You have to take it easy as they learn and you'll have more endurance than they will (enjoy it while it lasts...) but kids do great outdoors. They learn faster than we do and if you get them out using the information they are great problem solvers too.

Scott P · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1693

Quote: They are never too young!!

This is very true. So far my three year old has climbed mountains in eight countries, climbed several peaks near 14,000 feet (without being carried, does class 3 climbing, or short low 5th class roped climbing, and hikes eight miles a day on mountain trails, and five miles a day on snowshoes. Its a good idea to start young. Don't be afraid to take the kids out!

Not to hijack the thread, but here are a few pictures of my son hiking and climbing (age 7 months through three:

Sombeech · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 12142 Location: The Rubbish Bin

Very cool shot! Easter Island?

crazy horse · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:02 pm Post subject:

Wow...I wish i had an opportunity to do things like that at such a young age. Thats awesome for sure.

Scott P · Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 1693

Quote: Very cool shot! Easter Island?

Yes, its Easter Island. :2thumbs: Here are some links to some of the hikes we did that I posted on the net:

http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/6005

http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/6007

Here's a quick trip report:

http://www.summitpost.org/mountains/trip_report.pl?trip_report_id=2723&mountain_id=6024