pack weight

Posted by: skysail

pack weight - 05/13/11 08:05 PM

Well my trip to the AT is a week away, my pack wieghs 27 pounds without water for 7 day hike. Is that about average? How much would your pack weigh?
Posted by: aimless

Re: pack weight - 05/13/11 08:33 PM

I can't speak to the average around this forum, where ,ost folks are past masters at pack weight reduction, but I can tell you that 27 lbs. for 7 days, omitting only water weight is FAR better than the average of all backpackers, and a pretty respectable showing altogether.

I've been backpacking close to 40 years now and my current 7 day pack weight without water would be very similar, or a couple of lbs. over yours, depending somewhat on time of year and where I was hiking. Of course, that does include everything I would carry, without any fudging, like putting my camera in my pants pocket and calling it "zero pack weight". grin
Posted by: BrianLe

Re: pack weight - 05/13/11 08:37 PM

This stuff varies so much. By early April last year (i.e., once out of snow) my pack on the AT was down to perhaps a 15 pound base weight, but I never ever carried 7 days worth of food on the AT --- lots and lots of places to resupply along the way, and with pack weight not too bad I was able to do 20 miles per day starting in Virginia.
Folks doing shorter trips, however (me included) tend to do lower daily mileage, which means more days of food. But they likely less carry less food per day; I needed a good 2 pounds of food per day, but rarely much more than a liter of water. So leaving a trail town I guess I was carrying on the order of 25 pounds tops, and would be down to something like 17 pounds getting in to the next one.

I have no idea what "average" might be, but I think that what I carried might have perhaps been a bit less than average for thru-hikers (?). Which is probably somewhat less in turn than average for folks doing shorter distances.

With your trip a week away, I wouldn't worry about it, but perhaps keep notes on the trail of ideas you come up with to trim things back a bit for next trip.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: pack weight - 05/13/11 09:32 PM

I agree with Brian--you're fine for now, so wait for post-trip analysis. After the trip, check out the articles on the home page of this site, left-hand column. Keep note of the stuff you don't use with an eye to leaving it home next time (although that obviously wouldn't include your rain gear if it doesn't rain). Keep an eye on what others are carrying, especially thru-hikers (most of them go light, for obvious reasons)--you might find lighter substitutes for things you do use. Have a great time! I'm looking forward to your trip report!
Posted by: MTvagabond

Re: pack weight - 05/14/11 12:12 AM

I'm not trying to burst your bubble, but I'm thinking that a 27 lb pack doesn't really MEAN that much without knowing what's in it. As long as you feel like you're prepared, that's great. But I don't think just stating your pack weight is very informative. Maybe there are still items that you could leave behind, or maybe there are some things you should think about taking. I'm not sure I would give you a thumbs up based on weight alone. But if you're happy with it, I do think that your weight for a seven day trip is pretty good.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: pack weight - 05/14/11 12:55 AM

Good idea--give us a gear list, with weights for each item, after your trip, and we'll tear it apart for you! In the meantime, take a look at the 7 day gear list on the home page to make sure you haven't forgotten something important. It's really close to the same weight as yours--the only difference is the 2 lbs. of water in the home page list. You don't need the same items that are on the list, just items that perform the same functions.
Posted by: Wolfeye

Re: pack weight - 05/20/11 07:58 PM

Sounds about right. My pack usually weighs that much, including 2L of water. If I'm really strict about every item that goes in there and am able to share a few things with a partner, I can get it down to 25 lb.

My impression is that 27 lbs for 7 days is about average for weight-minded hikers, and a LOT lighter than an average, normal hikers. (My pack used to weigh 40 lb for 3 days...)
Posted by: skysail

Re: pack weight - 05/27/11 08:13 PM

Ok, well im back after about 5 days and im hooked!
There are several things i would change.
This is a list of what im not bringing/changing next time.

Food, i brought way to much. i thought i would be eating a lot but i never really had an appetite. it took up most of my space in my pack too. this is where proper planning comes in. i gave a lot of it away.

Clothes, i wore the same thing everyday. Even when i got completely soaked in rain. i just kept walking until i dried. probably not gonna wear underwear next time either. in the cold rain i wish i had proper rain gear. up at 5000 feet the temp dropped to about 45. next time im bringing a big poncho. the only extra clothes id bring are one pair of town clothes. long sleeve shirt. this would drop several pounds. i will always carry underarmor/ long underwear just in case it gets too cold. you never know

Water, i didnt have enough. i hiked mt rogers in VA and i was always thirsty going up. i would add a camelback next time. since my pack is compatabe with it.

Tent, my tent was good but i wish i had something bigger. it never got wet inside and held up awesome in high wind. Im tall so i couldnt sit up in it. it was heavy too at a little over 3 pounds. i think im gonna look into a hammock and a big tarp for next time. i have a big agnes air core. really thick at 2 and a hald inches. the only reason i was uncomfortable was because i was very sore the first few days.

i used the hiker pro for water filter and it was awesome. my stove a snow peak giga? or something like that and i love it. i could probably make my first aid kit a little smaller by bringing less bandaides. i didnt need bug spray or sunblock. my knife could be smaller but its already small (basic swiss army)

sleeping bag, is a kelty lighyear down. i think its rated to 40 degrees. i really like it so far.