Help the new guy!

Hello again.

I have the backpacking bug. I went for a trail hike about a month ago and had vivid flashbacks from great times in my youth trudging down the trails with my pack and camping with a few friends and the great outdoors. So I am getting back into it. I have to accumulate new gear because all that I used (over 10 years ago) is gone or .. well its just gone. I am interested in the concept of backpacking light.

About myself. I'm 28 years old, live in Southern California. I am a teacher and Football coach. I'm rather large framed. 6'4" 315 lbs, but I'm in good shape (I run, swim and lift weights regularly) so carrying the weight isn't an issue I think. I see people talking about 10-20 lb loaded packs. but is that relative? does my size factor in to the "backpacking light" mentality?

I plan on starting small with some long day hikes. Working my way up to actually staying overnight and then over weekends. I have a fundamental question i suppose.I understand everyone has preferences for brands and styles.

I guess I don't really know what type of pack I should look for. Given that I'm a relative beginner in recent backpacking experiences, and wont be doing any extended trips (nothing longer than a 4 day weekend for a long time) would a smaller pack suffice? should I be looking at a larger day pack or a smaller full sized pack?

Money isn't necessarily an issue. I will eventually try for one weekend excursion a month. But again, I wont be there for a while.

Should I start with a cheap pack and then upgrade later?

Any advice would be great, I am still in the planning stages and have little experience or opinions of my own of new styles of gear and equipment.

I would start by going to the home page of this web site and checking out the gear lists that are posted on the left side of the page. There are a lot of good ideas there for a light pack.

Your size should only make a minor difference in the weight of the gear you carry. You will need a longer than average (ie, slightly heavier) sleeping bag, a large-frame-size pack, your clothes will likely weigh a few ounces more and you may want to have a larger (longer) and thus heavier tent-should you choose a tent.

You will hear repeatedly that the last thing to purchase is your pack because you want to size it to what will go in it. Personally, I like a pack a little on the large size because I don't like a tightly stuffed pack. At any rate, you will get a lot more guidance from others than I'm giving; pay attention because there is a lot of experience amongst the participants here.

Carrying a pack is different than lifting weights, but the weight training will help with many of your muscles. When your first carry a pack you will discover muscles you didn't know you had. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That said, carry lots of IcyHot on your first trip.

Better yet, practice carrying a pack by starting with 10 lbs, start walking for 30 minutes around the block, and see how you feel the next day. Work up to 10 lbs for 60 minutes, then go to 20 lbs for 30 minutes and try that.

That will get your "backpacking" muscles in shape, and your feet. Nothing gets your feet in better shape than walking with weight. And no, ankle weights and arm weights do not work those "backpacking" muscles, but a weight vest might. I think a backpack sits differently on your than a weight vest.

Matt, I live in MDR so I am fairly familiar with the local stores. You've got REI on Rosecrans in MB, Adventure16 in WLA or Torrance (PCH at Crenshaw) and Sport Chalet at Village Del Amo. Between those three, you'll find a pretty good selection of packs and everything else. There are some specialty items you won't find anywhere but online, but for a beginner, these three stores will have most everything you need.

Go look at them, but buy all your other gear first before buying a pack. You should buy a pack to hold your gear, not buy gear to fit the pack.

Getting a pack that fits right for you is most important-there are plenty of packs in all different sizes, but they don't all fit the same body type. Some people can get away with a small pack for a 3 or 4 day trip, depending on the weather, but for most people, I would think a pack around 3000 ci would be fine. If you are just going around SoCal, the weather won't be too cold unless you head up to the mountains, so carrying a lot of winter gear probably won't be an issue.

You can find cheap packs at Sport Chalet and sometimes they will work out fine, but buying a good pack is always a good investment.

Thanks for the help. I will check out REI. I shop there a lot for odds and ends. Sport Chalet too. Adventure 16 is new to me, maybe I'll take a walk through there as well.

I hate the stigma of walking in somewhere with all flashy new gear but I suppose I have to start somewhere.

As mentioned, the 27 pound 7 day pack, and the 18 pound 3 day pack lists that charles
has on the main site will be execllent at giving you ideas. I also have a gear list or two
linked under my profile (click my name).

As you're a big guy (as am I) pay a bit of attention to how you will sleep. You may want to
think about buying your sleeping system first and trying it out. Nothing will make your more
miserable than being out for days and not being able to rest because you are uncomfortable. I think
you may have asked in a previous thread about sleeping comfortably or sleeping pads -My reccomendation there stands - a Big Agnes insulated aircore, long/wide *or* a hammock. I use
the former when on the ground by choice (when it's really cold) and the latter by preference most
of the time. I do not sleep well on a traditonal "little guy" pad (although I do, when forced to bivy
and I'm in my hammock). But again, it really depends on you. Try sleeping with it a few nights at
home first, then build your kit around what you want.

Big Matt,

I will take the risk of specific recommendations. It is not fun to be tired and hungry in the back country.

I would look at a Claytor Jungle Hammock. It appears that one of our moderators has one on backorder.

http://www.mosquitohammock.com/

Slip a couple of wide Wal*Mart closed cell foam pads in the the sleeve for insulation.

Get a REI Polar Pod +20 bag and use is like a quilt.

To cook use a antiGravity Gear 3 cup pot with Caldera Cone stove.

http://www.antigravitygear.com/proddetail.php?prod=AGCKAG3C

Get sabar's freezer bag cooking book and practice meals for lunch at work.

The backcountry is a harsh environment when you are cold, tired and hungry.

“I will check out REI.”

Just be sure they don’t push their racks and racks of 6 lb 11oz backpacks on you.
If you can take weight out of everything you buy/acquire, it really adds up.

In fact, REI packs usually turn me off because of their weight. The only one I might consider is their Vapor Trail (37oz) http://www.rei.com/product/699831
However, there are plenty of packs lighter (<32oz), low cost (<$200), just as big, and just as comfortable (if weight is kept down).

Consider
Gossamer Gear, http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/pack_matrix.html
ULA, http://www.ula-equipment.com/conduit.htm
Z-Packs, http://www.zpacks.com/
SMD, http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=34
MLD. http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sho...3db472d11fef06d

-Barry

I thoroughly agree that you want to beware of REI trying to sell you a 6-pound monster pack - unless you plan on carrying monster tents, stoves, and so forth.

As far as lighter packs, "if weight is kept down" is the critical part of BarryP's post. The Vapor Trail is very comfortable with 30 pound loads, and I've even pushed it to 35 with minimal loss of comfort. (I'm a big fan of the Vapor Trail.)

My own experience is that the Gossamer Gear Mariposa became uncomfortable when the load exceeded 20 pounds, and I don't think any recommend exceeding 30 or 35 pounds. (The Vapor Trail's frameless sibling, the Virga - which I also like - weighs only a pound but maxes out at 20 pounds.) A pack with a 20-pound limit is pretty much going to force you to select truly ultarlight gear, which is mostly only available from internet sources like those BarryP listed, or force you to limit your trips to weekends. Also, if water's a problem where you hike, these packs are of limited use because we haven't figured out how to do ultralight water yet.

However, if you select gear prudently, you can easily keep your base weight under 15 pounds even if you only buy what REI sells. If you aren't a gourmet cook, food for 3 or 4 days won't weigh more than 6 or 7 pounds, and each quart of water will add 2 pounds. So, setting out for a 3 night trip with 2 quarts of water will give you a starting weight of about 26 pounds - and lighter packs like the Vapor Trail will be ideal.

And, as someone said earlier, get the pack last.

Thank you for the tips. I will look into the Hammock.

You are correct though. Even a night on a crappy mattress will leave me cranky as a bear with a sore tooth in the morning. Let alone a night in the hard ground.

I have the REI UL cruise 60 and love the pack. For the money it is a great pack. Lots of features , comfortable and adjustable. A plus for me was hip belt pockets. the only downer is that it doesn't have a seperate sleeping bag compartment. I now insert my sleep pad and stuff everything in it. I think it was a tip from Phat. After loosing a few unused pieces of gear, it is the way to go. 3.? lbs.