What staggers me is the light weights that people discuss. Like I say, I have reasonably light gear (base weight for the big three as I've seen it described less than 9 pounds) but I can't figure how to get much below the 35 to 40 pound starting range per trips such as GCNP and the four corners area.
Some people here are much lighter than me - I'm relatively light, About 20-23 pounds for
a 5 night outing. depending on how warm it is. My typical gear list for 3 season work
is linked in my profile, click my name. However, bear in mind this is for hiking in alberta
and british columbia, during the typical hiking season. This means, it's not winter,
and there is relatively plentiful water.
I suspect mostly it is my water carrying requirement. I don't feel safe from exposing myself to potential dehydration leaving without at least a gallon on board. This is even if I plan to get to water by evening.
I have bailed out too many who haven't carried enough H2O or had them get sick on my trips. If I am dry camping a night or two along the way. or even an out and back dry weekend dry camp it really jacks up the pack weight capacity requirements and limits my pack purchase options.
My weight that I'm telling you there includes about a litre of water - which is what I normally
carry. Now me, I carry a 4 litre capacity bag - and I *can* fill it up if I need to. I have on occasion put a couple litres in if I know I'm going where I won't have a fill up for a while.
On the other hand, my little pot and water treatment sits in the top of my pack. I typically will
stop for a rest near a water source. When I drop my pack. at the least, out comes the pot, and the aquamira. I will then usually suck back a pot worth if it's hot out, and maybe top up
the bladder. So remember, probably over the course of a long day hiking, I'm stopping 2 or 3 times and sucking back about a half to 3/4 litre of water, and topping up the water bag. Basically, it's easier to carry it in me, than on my back.
Now understand as well, I don't camp in a dry camp, I'm always camping where there is water (or snow <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> ) If you're actually in a desert environment, all bets are off. You better have a lot of water with you.
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