40-Pound Pack Achieved !!!

“Been working on getting my pack weight down for the JMT hike... finally got my pack below 40 pounds - INCLUDING food + 2-L water. I know some of you have a far lighter pack than this, but for me to have reached this milestone, well... it's just a psyche thing...

Actually, everything I have weighs in at 40.67 pounds, but am thinking I really don't need the GPS (I'd love to take it for tinkering - gadget freak, ya know). I was going through the numbers, reviewing my excel spreadsheet (thanks, Phil!), and disconvered I had a few items listed in pounds when they should have been ounces. Correcting that helped give a more realistic weight, and with trimming the grundsheet (by 50% - it was extending outside the tent borders), dumping the Whisperlite & corresponding fuel in favor of wsdavies Pepsi Stove + Denatured alcohol, I was able to find success in getting the weight down.

My first attempt at pulling gear together came in at 34 pounds, WITHOUT food or water... you can appreciate how pleased I am to have trimmed weight.

Heading out in a few hours... this should be my last post... until I return...”

“Have fun, which really is pointless since you're going to have fun anyway, but the wish is there nevertheless.”

“Woohoo! Go Obi Wan!

have a great time!”

“I hope you have a camera in there!”

“Have a SAFE trip...fun is a given.”

“Good hiking.”

“Thanks, my friends... am re-packing my gear as I write... watching the last local news & Today show before I'm OUTA HERE!”

“Happy trails Obi.”

“Have a great trip.

Do you really need 2L of water? Are you going to be so far from water sources that you won't be able to filter often enough? Do you have enough rolls of film?”

“Morning, PPD... yea, I have enough film (10 rolls), and Steve's bringing film, too... we're sharing the camera, so we'll have plenty of soon-to-be-recorded history in the making!!!

As for water, that 2-L is full right now, but I'll decide along the way if I fill it half-way or totally as we replenish.

I had grave concerns about this issue, 'cause no matter how hard I looked, you can't find dehydrated water ANYWHERE!”

“Obi...you have to make it yourself.
Of course you still have to find a water source to rehydrate it with when you get to camp, so it's a wash.”

“Hit the road already, Obi!! How can we miss you if you won't go away??? (Yes, I am jealous).”

“Have fun.

Until I got to pepperDog's post, I was wondering if 2 liters was enough in August. I guess where we hike really flavors our perspectives.”

“yeah, i thought the same thing, Violin! heck, i drink 2 liters of water just sitting at my desk...before lunch.

have a great hike, Obi! :-)”

“2L ain't enough in Florida in August.”

“Cool Obi Wan,

Could you post a gear list and approximate weight at your convenience?

(When you get back, of course.)”

“May the force be with you Obi Wan”

“have fun and all ya DONT RUIN THE TRIP!!!!!!!!”

“If you find the dehydrated water you can use it to re-hydrate the dehydrated watermellon.


Just a thought ¦ ) .”

“may you have sweet dreams of 35#'s.”

“Did I mention Steve was an axe murderer? Moooohhhhhhaaaa!”

“have fun,,, see you at Woods Creek next weekend!”

“(laughs at 40 pounds.. since I have not carried more than 35 for even the extended trips in over a year.. ). .

:) :)”