Introduction

Didn't see another place for it, so putting it here:

I'm new to the forum. 33 years old, was a boy scout growing up so have done some backpacking, but I'd absolutely say I was dragged on most of those hikes against my will. Now that I'm older, I've done an occasional trip locally. Mostly, it's still a means to an end where I'm backpacking in for a night or two on more remote areas here in North Georgia to fish for trout. My goal is to start doing 3-4 weekends a year and a week long trip out west each year with the wife. We've been doing day hikes on our annual trips and are both looking to string those out a bit. Probably looking to keep things less than 5 miles a day, after all it's about having fun, right?

I recently did an overnight and am planning a weekend trip in the next month or so into the Cohutta. I just weighed out my pack tonight at 25.4 lbs with fishing gear, food, and water. This is with cold weather gear anticipating freezing temperatures at night being a possibility, but I'm not sure if that puts me in the extra heavyweight category. I'm pretty sure I remember caring 40 lb packs in scouts. Either way, with how little I do this, probably not worth throwing dollars at ounces. We'll see how I feel after this next trip.

25 pounds is still lightweight, no matter what anyone says, especially if it's for more than just overnight. And it's especially true if you plan on less than 10 miles a day, and maybe don't have a ton of money to spend.

There is no "real" category that you need to worry about fitting into. It's the trip, not the pack weight, that's important. Personally, I subscribe to Colin Fletcher's guidelines from his Complete Walker books: If you need it, take it; then reduce the weight of what you take as much as you can.

"As much as you can" means, to me, that the gear still has to be functional and relatively easy to use. It also contains an element of affordability. I'd agree that, if this isn't your primary hobby, it's not worth throwing dollars at ounces. If what you're doing is working for you, you're doing it right. If the main enjoyment comes from fishing, not hiking, then I'd be more willing to spend money on better fishing gear than I would on ultralight hiking or camping gear.

Welcome to the forums; we hope you'll post often and share your experiences with us.

Of course, if your fishing gear weighs ten pounds, then you are actually ultralight...and fishing! grin.

Welcome to the nut house.

Lol, I think I'm a bit under 10 lbs with it. Just grabbed the following from my sling pack. 2 weight, reel, fly box, tippet, gink, and the water filter that I always keep with me.

Edit: the jpg weighs at least 10 lbs... good grief.

That looks pretty similar to my rig. about 22-24 ounces.

I agree with everyone above. Don't let other people tell you what the right weight is. If it is working for what you want to do then why change?

If you want to drop some pack weight (so you can go farther/faster/be less tired when you show up) we can help with that too. The cheapest way to drop pack weight is not put as much stuff into it. The "oh... I might want that"'s are the heaviest things.