You really have to go to Backpacking Light to get those ultralight gear lists. IMHO, they don't have enough for me (and my dog) to be comfortable out there. For me, at least, backpacking is supposed to be a vacation, not a hardship test! I did get several ideas from them for cutting my base weight a couple of more pounds, but after last year's trips I ended up restoring most of the items I had cut! One example was using my baselayer top as a hiking shirt. I found that doesn't work at all well in mosquito or horsefly season--the critters considered the permethrin spray on the shirt as an appetizer and chomped away happily. I'm getting a supplex nylon shirt for bug season. The baselayer top worked fine as a shirt in October, though!

I can go out for 10 days with 25-27 lbs. (I don't eat as much food as most do) and I can carry that comfortably, although I do take it easier the first 2-3 days of a 7-10 day trip than I do for an overnighter where I'm starting with 16-17 lbs.

Anyone remember Bearpaw's article, "Not So Random Thoughts on Pack Weight"? I couldn't find it in a search here, but about a year and a half ago he posted it on PortlandHikers.org at my request-- Here it is!

And I sent Prospector a PM linking him to this page in response to his PM. EDIT: I hope, Prospector, you've found it by now!

I do wish the link to the TLB home page were at the top of the forum page, though. Nobody ever sees it where it is now.

Thanks for the directions folks. I found it and appreciate your help. I'll try to get this searching down quickly, but appreciate your patience and assistance in the mean time.
Cary

I agree with the "call it what you like" approach. I probably won't win any awards or make any new lifelong friendships for actually hitting a target weight as defined in some illustrious guide somewhere. I'll listen to all your ideas and suggestions, incorporate some and end up happy that my back appreciates the efforts I've made. That's good enough for me.