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I'm backpacking 8 days into the backcountry this Summer. I was fitted for my pack in 2009 and used it on a few trips, carrying up to 75 pounds for several days
by Dowwie 7y ago
I'm backpacking 8 days into the backcountry this Summer. I was fitted for my pack in 2009 and used it on a few trips, carrying up to 75 pounds for several days. Even with a fitted pack, my shoulders took a beating. I don't know whether upgrading packs will make much of a difference but need to act soon.
- thomaslangston 7y agoYikes that's a heavy pack. https://www.rei.com/blog/camp/how-much-should-your-pack-weigh https://www.rei.com/blog/camp/how-much-should-your-pack-weig... Almost all of the pack weight should be on your hips, not your shoulders. Good luck preparing for your next trip.
- Dowwie 7y agoI alternate the load from hip to shoulder when climbing elevation. I'll try not to this time..
- sizzzzlerz 7y agoNo pack ever made will alleviate the agony of carrying 75 pounds. Until anti-gravity pods become available, your only solution is to ruthlessly pare that weight down. If you think you've gone as far as you can, make another pass.
- arethuza 7y ago"75 pounds" That's really heavy - any particular reason you need so much stuff?
- chrisseaton 7y ago> That's really heavy - any particular reason you need so much stuff? 75 pounds is 34 kg. A normally fit person should be able to carry that for several days without issue.
- superhuzza 7y agoEven if you can, why would you? There's a reason thru-hikers ruthlessly cut back their carrying weight - because you don't actually need that much stuff and it's a literal burden to bear. 75 lbs is almost half my body weight, carrying an extra half-me around is absurd.
- chrisseaton 7y ago> Even if you can, why would you? It's always a trade-off. You can take less equipment with you but be less effective when you get to wherever you're going, or you can take more equipment but have a harder time getting there. You may simply be doing that something that requires 20 kg + of equipment when you get there, so not much much of a choice. Weapon systems, communication systems, climbing gear, oxygen, tools, whatever.
- superhuzza 7y agoOkay I think we agree with each other then. I was still considering the context of this particular comment thread, which was just a backcountry hiker who had a 75 lbs pack. Unless he has special gear with him, 75 lbs is crazy. I regularly hike with climbing gear, which as you point out gets quite heavy. I would very much avoid having that much weight unless it was necessary to climb safely.
- arethuza 7y agoThe original comment was someone talking about backpacking and 75 pounds is very heavy for a backpacking (which is supposed to be fun after all) - even for extended (over a week) backpacking trips in winter (ice-axe, crampons etc.) I'd be surprised if my pack was half that weight.
- evilolive 7y agoMay I ask what’s taking the bulk of your weight? For info, six days autonomy and including a bear can I’m hovering around 30lbs which is when the ultralight backpack starts being uncomfortable
- chrisseaton 7y ago> I’m hovering around 30lbs I think that's about 13 kg. For six days? You must be on very limited water each day. 13 kg is running weight.
- superhuzza 7y agoI assume he's getting water along the way and filtering it, not bringing his water for 6 days. I don't think many people hike out with almost a week's worth of water vs. finding water sources.
- chrisseaton 7y agoOk but it's not always possible to resupply like that, hence why someone may be carrying more.
- evilolive 7y agoyes filtering water along the way. I doubt you can carry six days of water in an environment that's so dry you need to carry everything