Help lighten my load: Packing list

“I keep deleting things from my packing list and my pack still weights too much. What do most of you pack for a 3 season weekend(2 nites) trip? Also what is the average weight of your loaded pack? Mine is usually over 45lbs and with bad knees it is too much. I carry; msr wisperlite with fuel bottle,sd meteorlite tent,1.5 qt pot,pancho,pack cover,rain jacket,fleece top,water shoes,ridgerest pad,possibles bag with compass,knife,firsst aid,tape ect.,2 trekking poles,small rope,2 mre's with gorp and snacks,tnf cats meow bag,dog food,extra socks,extra t shirt and water. Thats about it. I carry it all in a 6-8lb Dana Terraplane. I know the tent is heavy but I enjoy the extra space. Any suggestions would be helpful.”

“I don't have much room to talk my 3 season pack weights about 30 lbs before food but I will suggest that if you really want to reduce weight look at your 3 basics: your pack, tent and bag. The 3 of mine weigh in at 13-14 lbs but that is because I insist on using a tent and my gregory is about 6.5lbs. I have hiked with people whose weight there was below 8lbs. If you reduce the weight of what is in the pack you can (if you chose to) compromise on the suspension that the pack offers because you aren't carrying as much. I have looked at several packs lately that weigh in around 3.5 lbs with 3700 qi of space but am still a little skeptical about buying. I like the fit and comfort my gregory gives. If you really want to cut your weight here is a good place to start, and if you are smart don't listen to just me. http://www.backpacking.net/contents.html”

“Did anyone read A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson? Everytime someone talks about getting rid of gear I think of this book and laugh. It's about a guy walking the AT with a friend of his.”

“well your tent is awsome, but HEAVEY!!!
don't skimp on your pack. What is the weather like? do you really need and extra pair of this and an extra pair of that? (keep the extra socks, and if you sweat alot the shirt too)NO, well not if the weather is expected to be good.

First aid kit??? whats in it? any thing more than a few bandaids and tynol ditch it. bring some duct tape. and if that fails hot knife the woond (please don't hot knife it)

You bringing a tooth brush? You should. But cut off the handle after 2-3 inches after the bristles end.

Dog food is heavey, get a dogy pack and make your trail hoe trainy (your dog) carry it.

good luck

Ridge Rest, if the ground anyt frozen you don't need it, just grow some balls, and suck it up.

Check all the ropes on your tent, and your shoe lasses, and any thing ells that has rope as a main part of it, and repair it, then ditch the exra rope.”

“Leave the shoes behind. Take only enough water that you will need until you reach a water souce. Rope? Carry lightweight gorp & snacks. Are MREs heavy? Carry another choice of food if so.”

“When you say you have a huge pack and a huge tent and heavy food there is not much you can do to lighten your load until you change your attitude and get lighter gear. You need a pack that weighs 3 pounds or less and a tarp and a small pot and totally dry food for starters


I carry a down bag <2lbs and a 15oz thermarest and a 1.5 pound tarp and that includes poles and stakes and a painter's dropcloth for a groundcloth and my pack weighs 1 pound. I use a 1.5oz esbit stove and a .9 lt. pot.
The cool thing about getting your packweight down is that you can take goodies like a book or some tunes and still keep it light. MP”

“1 lb pack now thats lightening up!”

“If you do have shoe lasses, have them carry your shoes for you!”

“I'm headed out for a week in the canyon next week and I did a rough tally of my weight this afternoon. My pack will be less than 20 pounds going down and less than 15 hiking out when the food is gone.”

“my school pack weighs more!”

“your pack is too heavy.

damn, that pack is half of my total pack weight for a 3 night trip.”

“Other than the tent, your heaviest item is probably the water (I don't see a filter listed, so I'm assuming you bring enough for the whole trip). Getting a filter/purifier (which will be <1 pound) will really help.”

“by the way, when i said pack, i just meant that damned 7 pound dana.”

“oh' and MREs (assuming the goverment ones) there heavey as a mother F*cker. get better food.”

“MP, how much weight will you loss in that week.
My summer pack for a week runs about 45lbs,. The 3 season , includes tent and more clothes is 65lbs. Winter can get bad, up to 100lbs more food, more fuel, more just about everything, and those dam snow shoes run 8lbs alone.”

“Do you mean physical weight or pack weight. I won't lose and chub but I will eat up the 6 pounds of dry food and I should be about out of water when I reach the rim. The weather for this trip will be perfect and I won't have to take a warm bag or very many clothes which helps a lot.”

“Get a smaller backpack.....
Hike with someone else....
Take less clothes...
Clean out the first aid kit....
Tarp it or get a smaller tent.....
Excercise your knees and brace them....
What no camera!!!
Strip the MRE's, take what will be eaten....
Keep packing and weighting till its right....
Trash bags vs. pack cover and rainware....
Get lighter camp shoes.....”

“Why do you have a pancho AND a rain jacket? Trade in the water shoes for a light-weight pair on sandals; What's in your "possibles" bag? ditto other commenys about the weight of mre's, you can do a lot better; For two nites, consider only taking 1 pair of outer socks but two pair of liners, change your liners, not outer socks. If you add up all of your individual weights, you'll find that just a few main items add most of your weight, if you can minimize them, you'll make real progress. Your pack, sleeping bag & tent are probably 15 pounds or more, which is 33% of your total weight

MaryPhyl...what Tarp are you using? I'm searching for one now..”

“Ditch the MRE's for sure. Lose the extra t-shirt and cough up the money for a synthetic. It doesn't have to be a $80 TNF (actually, I hope it isn't) - any synthetic'll do. As far as socks, bring one full set in addition to the pair you're wearing. Forget the sawing the toothbrush. Tea doesn't know wtf he's babbling about. As far as shelter is concerned, my solo preference is for a bivy (I like the OR sack, but most of em are pretty good). It's <2 lbs and bombproof. Sometimes in the summer I forget even the bag and just bring a fleece blanket. The bivy and a layer of long underwear is usually plenty warm. On the pack, personally I like the support of something a little beefier than a rucksack. I just got an Arcteryx Bora 60Lt (sounds techy at least, no?) last month, and I'm eager to get out on the trail. A great compromise I think is the Osprey Aether 60. It's only 4 lbs and cheaper too.

Watch the fuel consumption. You don't need 3 quarts for just you in the summer for 3 days! Cut down to a 1 liter pot if'n you don't do the backcountry gourmet thing.

You should have no need for the extra poncho and rope. As far as First Aid is concerned, you need just a little duct tape wrapped around yer water bottle, anti-anaphalactic (sp?) shots (there are some nasty things out there that could do you in unexpectedly). And moleskin! Blister's will stop you so fast you wouldn't believe it. But I'm sure you know this! You should be able to make do with that emergency-wise.

You can do without rainpants and water shoes.

A good hat is more worth-while than a jacket, weight to warmth-wise. But this is starting to split hairs.

I can usually get down below 25 all told without really skimping out on the big stuff (I'm warm and dry, and more than comfortable on the trail). And for me, that's a very managable load.”

“I'm surprised your pack weighs as much as it does; I could swear that I carry more than you but I'm down to 30lbs.

Dog food...ditto Tea--make the dog carry it. Although for God's sake, don't cut the end off a toothbrush. You'll NEVER notice the difference, and you'll just get toothpaste all over your hands.

If you can replace the "big three" that would help...it brought me from 35lbs to 30.

Otherwise, spread your stuff out on your bed and pick everything up one at a time. Figure out what's adding those extra pounds. Do you include the trekking poles in the 45lb weight?”

“I carry 1/2 my wait. But the rules is try not to cary any more than 1/3”

“Everyone covered most of the bases already. Start with the heaviest stuff.

With a 1 person tent, a down bag, a 2000cu in pack, and an Esbit stove, a 3 day pack, for me, is under 20 lbs not counting food and water. In that range pack suspension isn't too important. A nice side benefit is being able to wear trail runners instead of the heavy boots, and that makes a huge difference at the end of the day.”

“Ice "wait" is what you do in line. "Weight" is heavy or light.”

“Last summer I went on a 150 mile hike with 24 pounds + food and water. When I can afford it, I'll get a lighter backpack (my Countour IV is almost 7#) and a lighter sleeping bag... that should save me about 4#.

Other ideas... I take a ponco or a rain jacket. Also, assuming the dog food is for a dog, let the dog carry it. You can buy dog packs.

You could lose wieght and still have good room in your tent with a SD clip flashlight, 2 person or 3 person if you really need room. It was 31 # with 2 liters of water and 4 days of food (I always lose a little weight on the longer hikes, even though I'll pig out in towns).

MRE's weigh way too much for the calories they contain, for most people the wieght is not worth the other conveniences. Try not to take food that gives you less than 100 calories and ounce. An average of 130 calories and ounce can really lighten your load).”

“I think the biggest room for improvement is to replace the tent (listed at 6 lbs. 12 oz.) and the backpack (listed at 7 lbs. 9 oz. for the medium).

But here's a question, why are you carrying a stove, fuel, and pot when your food consists of MRE's? Pick one or the other (though I would also replace the MSR)!

Asking this board for help is great, but the best thing to do is to go out and note what you use and what you don't, then find the lightest replacement for those you use. If you really get obsessed (like I did) you'll buy a scale, weight every item, make lists and find what works for you.”

“Getting the pack weight down is a good thing but there is another option to consider. Actually I have two options. The first, lost excess weight off your body. If you exercise properly during weight lost you will retain your muscle mass and strength. Ten pounds less fat on you has the same effect as ten pounds less in the pack. Second is to increase you ability to carry the weight. This takes both aerobic and anaerobic work. Interval training is great for doing both at the same time. If you have your pack weight down to the point you do not want to leave any thing else behind try one of my two methods. My basic pack is 50 pounds without food or water. It does not matter how long I will be out except for more food. I like my comfys and recreational gear. I like to do more than just walk, sleep and eat. Oh, number three, get a couple of pack goats.”

“BTW for reference, I weigh 240 lbs. 60 lbs is 25% of me.”

“Ditch the
poncho
pack cover
water shoes
MRE's
rope

A 20' lightweight cord would be adequate for hanging your food. Any other ropely needs can be satisfied with tent cords - and in a pinch... laces and belt.

Add a trash bag
and neoprene knee brace(s)

I usually have a total of three pairs of socks, and two tees. I bring long john top and bottom exclusively for sleeping. Swim trunks, wind pants, slicker, fleece hat, glove liners, and fleece mid-weight shirt complete the clothing list. I can wear everything, and be comfy at 30 degrees (which is possible even in July at high elevations).

My dog often carries extra water and water filter - along with her own provisions.

I'm with you on a comfortable tent. My tent is 5 lbs, but worth every ounce when waiting out an all day/night rain.

I have never once weighed a backpack...”

“Tent = OR Bivy

Sleeping bag = TNF Thunderhead (use a granite gear compression sack)

Stove = You don't need one, just take Clif Bars, and other food that doesn't need cooking.

Go minimal, leave everything you don't need at home.”

“ACtually, 10 pounds off yourself is not the same as ten pounds off your back. You have to think about weight distribution and your center of gravity. 10 pounds on your pack can stress your body while hiking a lot more than 10 pounds on your body.”

“Suck it up Nancy Boy, my pack weighs 45 pounds and I never have a problem.”

“Wanderer
I bought a Campmor silnylon tarp and some cheap 3 piece aluminum poles they sell since I don't use hiking poles. My stakes are from some old tent and the cord I take is that Kelty Triptease. There are cooler tarps out there but this one is a good weight to $$ one.

Briar Rabbit was kinder and more helpful than I was. It sometimes seems hopeless when the tent and pack are so heavy to begin with. Sometimes I suggest taking the scissors to a pack and cutting off everything you never used. I have taken to taking the stays out of whatever pack I have and using my pad instead.
I wasn't born with a light pack. Much of what I have learned came from the net.”

“I've had the good fortune to hike with MaryPhyl, and since then have been able to take 8 pounds off of my normal pack weight! She taught me that an ounce here and there eventually add up to pounds.I can't deal with the tarp thing, so I replaced my SD night watch (5.5 lbs) with a solo tent weighing in at 2.4 lbs. I have also found better, more lightweight foods and carry multi-use items as much as possible. I refuse to give up my Gregory pack and haven't yet found the courage to cut stuff off of it though!

You didn't know I was watching that closely did you MP? LOL By the way, this is Joyce.”

“Ped--good point, but 10lbs off your body is less stress for your heart and lungs. You'll carry the pack in better health.”

“I have to tell you bpbaby--I cut too much off a pack one time. I cut the material off over the sleeping bag zipper and it shipped water like crazy so if you do take to the scissors do it thoughtfully.”

“Hey, every ounce counts.”

“Learn how to dirt bag.”

“Not me--I like to be comfy”

“The tent weight thing is a major factor with pack weight, but I'm skeert about getting stuck in a storm too. It would be real nice if there were a free-standing storm worthy tent at less than 4 lbs. Anyone know of such a thing?

My pack weight is between 28 and 30lbs (w/o food and water).”

“If you own a free standing 4 pound tent you are doing about as well as you can. Anything less would just be ounces. Sometimes you can reduce the weight of a tent by leaving the stakes or at least most of them and the stuff sack at home. If you feel you need a stuff sack to keep a wet tent separate from other things try a thin small garbage bag. Often the stuff sacks weigh from 4 to 6 oz all by themselves. A big rubber band will keep the tent rolled up.”

“Yeah, you're right. Ounces would be about it. Good idea about the garbage bag.

I guess I'm waiting for someone to come out and say "here it is: 2.1 lbs freestanding with rainfly and the works. blah blah blah. ". If that happens, I am so there.”

“If you like the feel of a tent, consider the Mtn. Hardware Batray 2... weighs less than 3#, and is essentially a glorified tarp. Don't want to buy a new shelter? Consider if your current tent will set up without the tent itself, but rather, with simply the frame and rainfly. Another Tarp+ design.

Take a flashlight? Consider the Photon II Microlight, or something similar (the Ph.II has a permanent on/off switch, and sheds LOTS of LED light!). Moleskin AND Duct tape? Consider the CLOTH Duct tapes. Essentially the same weight, but also provides similar protection to moleskin.

Use lots of freeze-dried foods? Consider buying or borrowing a "FoodSaver", and repackage your portions into smaller sizes, and one-person portions. I got 12 days of FD food in a Garcia (6-day) bearcan this way. AND, it weighed 10.7 pounds, including the can!

I'm looking at ways of cutting the weight of MY pack, too, and I mean the pack, itself. Right now, I use a 6#,8" Super Tioga (ex-frme). Last year's JMT, 2-week trek saw me start with a 53# pack, so I obviously have some room to work with. You guys sure have some interesting ideas, though.”

“Tommy, I can't argue with you on the benefits of getting extra pounds off your body. Thats part of the benenfit of not carry anough calories to replace all you use: you lighten your pack, and you lighten your self. You shouldn't go too far under you calory needs tho... you can make up some of the difference by pigging out a little before and after the trip and during any town/restaurant visits you make during the trip.”

“Weight off the body is the same as weight off the pack in term of the work needed to move the total load. Yes it may ride differently but that is the only difference. Also you can put the pack down but not the fat.”

“Very good thread ... I can't add a thing to it, except to comment that my base weight is 17 to 18 lbs.”

“tekapo - check this tent out. It weighs under 3 lbs., is rock solid, and plenty of interior room. The inner is pre-clipped to the fly, you just pitch the thing in one step. The inner can be removed, then you have a super nice tarp.

This is probably the best tent I've ever used. They are hand-made and the company is just awesome. I needed mine really fast, they overnighted it to me at no extra charge. It came with a hand-written note from them. They will make custom modifications for you.

http://www.hilleberg.com/usa/default.htm">Hilleberg Akto”

“Cool tent--but not free standing. We camp on slickrock too often to have to fool with stakes.

If the weather allows, a painter's dropcloth will keep you out of the dirt and can be used for a makeshift tarp if it is not windy or burrito style if it is.”

“m-nutz - interesting solo tent. I reminds me of the Peak 1 Cobra/Exponent Inyo 2 in weight and shape. However, the Akto is obviously a higher quality tent. Nice website for a tent company. They explain everything.”

“With your packing list, i cant see 45 lbs. are you possibly carrying way to much food, a lot of cans like my kids do.
With the stated list even with a heavy tent i don't see it.
N.C.R.R.”

“Maryphyl
Is that your pack weight for solo trips or is that your weight if your with your husband? It's much easier to lighten your load when splitting gear.

My pack averages between 25 - 35 pounds depending on # of nights out & season. I got a few ideas here myself. This is a very good thread. I'm comfrotable with my pack weight and can manage it fine but shedding a pound or two is always good.”