[at-l] Base Weights - Survey?

[Raphael Bustin]

At 10:37 PM 9/22/2006 -0400, Greenbriar wrote:

>Terrapin writes:
>>Pack    68 oz                                     4# 4
>>(short) thermarest in stuff sack 18.6             1# 3
>>tent Sierra Lightyear in stuff sack 53.5          3# 6
>>"slumberjack" down bag in stuff sack 34.5         2# 3
>>pack cover 8.6                                       9
>>-> Total of these 4 items: 183.2 oz (11.4 lbs)
>>
>The big 3: pack, bag, tent!
>I used external frame packs for 25 years - I loved the compartments and 
>the support. Got sick of the way they started to get made more and more 
>cheaply and fell apart after a month of hiking. I use a home made G-4 now 
>and love it. It weighs 1#1oz.


I have considered something home-brew.  I'm afraid
it will need an external frame.  One solution might be
a replacement "bag" (maybe made of sil-nylon) over the
existing Camp Trails frame.


>If you have to have a thermarest to get a good night's sleep, you are 
>stuck. But at least try a light pad. No, it isn't as comfortable as a 
>thermarest - to sleep on. But it is a lot more comfortable carrying ;) And 
>it's pretty comfortable. And nice and warm.


I started hiking 30 yrs ago with Ensolite (closed-cell foam)
and Thermarest really changed my outlook.  I "compromise"
by using the shortie.  I still have the old Ensolite pad.  Youch.


>If you really want to cut down weight you need to try a different tent. I 
>have gone over to single wall tents, and learned to deal with the 
>condensation.Water- resistant/proof shell material on the bag helps 
>tremendously.

I'm spoiled, what can I say.  My Eureka Gossamer was
a bit lighter (under 3 lbs) but was more cramped.


>Is the 1/2 pound pack cover really worth it?

Not necessarily, as you point out.


>Ever tried a trash bag instead - they really work. Myself, I gave up on 
>pack covers. I safeguard my bag and clothes in mylar turkey roasting bags 
>and let the rest get as wet as they want - the G-4 keeps things pretty 
>dry, and who cares if the platypi, say, get wet? Or my baseball hat - it 
>gets wet enough in the rain pretty soon anyway.
>
>BTW, stuff sacks are heavy.  Try to find some made from silnylon if you can.
>>MSR water filter 19                               1# 3
>>Stove+fuel bottle+screen+spoon+pot++mug 27.2      1#11
>>Nalgene Qt. bottles (3 @4.1ea)                      12
>>Camera 11                                           11
>>--> Total of this group = 69.5 oz (4.3 lbs.)
>>
>That is one heavy water filter. As Hoplite mentioned, Aqua Mira or even 
>Clorox gets the job done.  Two 2 1/5 liter platypus (NOT the wide mouth 
>type, the light weight type) plus a 1 liter soda bottle gives you 6 liters 
>of water for 5 ounces - that beats 12 ounces for the two 1 quart Nalgenes.


That was 12 oz for *three* 1-qt. Nalgenes.

I guess MSR has lighter filters now.  Mine is the
"equivalent" of the Waterworks EX, I guess.  It's
been a real trooper.

I'm not up on the latest "camel backs" and
platypi and hydration-systems.  Must look into it.

The MSR filter outlet "mates" with the Nalgene
bottle threads.  Very handy.


>>CLOTHING (in pack)
>>2 pr undies 6 oz.
>>long polypro undies top+bottom 15
>>3 pr hiking sox 10
>>long sleeve flannel (acrylic) shirt 16
>>fleece gloves & hat 5.3
>>wash towel 3.6
>>nylon rain jacket 6
>>Gators 5.3
>>Seattle Sombrero 4
>>--> Total of this group: 71.2 oz (4.5 lbs)
>>
>This is about 1 1/2 lbs more than I carry, and I feel I am acting 
>responsibly. Do you need fleece gloves and hat for summer?

I appreciated the hat at camp and while sleeping
on the NY-PA section I just did.  The gloves, no.

The acrylic shirt went mostly unused (except as a
pillow.)  Polypro was enough.  With rain jacket in a pinch.


>Are the gators worth the weight penalty? 3 pairs of socks plus one worn? I 
>feel sinful carrying 2 plus wearing 1.

I always wonder about gators.  OK, they're gone.
(That was easy!)

*Very* nice to count on a pair of dry clean sox at camp.
That seems worth 3.5 oz.


>>Between these three groups, there are 20.2 lbs.
>>accounted for.  The rest is small & sundry items --
>>bear rope, headlamp, repair kits, first aid and
>>emergency stuff etc.
>>
>>The pack is an *ancient* Camp Trails Adjustable II,
>>which I have tried several times to "upgrade" from --
>>with no success.  Almost 100% of my AT hiking (1589
>>miles to date) has been with this pack -- and most
>>of the rest of the kit, pretty much as listed above.
>>
>
>I am very happy with my G-4. It is light, roomy and accessible. You might 
>get to like a lighter pack - try one.
>
>Hope this helps.


I'll look into it.  Thanks for your suggestions.

Can I conclude that y'all have gone ultralight?

Is my 22 lbs considered outrageously heavy?

I'm the only "heavyweight?"  Yikes.


rafe b
aka terrapin


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