I am with Jim on this one. I would much rather carry a few more lbs. that to get to camp and not have what I need to be comfortable. I have made a couple of trips like that and believe me they are no fun at all. Just take Jim's and JP's advice and just hike your own hike. I can distinctly remember walking into an area with a lot of hikers with a little heavier pack than normal and I could almost feel the comments. I have carried a 45 lb. pack and I have carried a 20 lb. pack but I was doing different things at different times and I was comfortable at all times and I think that is what is the most important...sabre11004...