"Heavy weight backpacking"

M

mjolnirman

Joined
Jan 15, 2008
Messages
175
I know some people like to do what's often called ultra light weight backpacking, where you just bring the bare minimum, but I like doing what I call heavy weight backpacking (don't know if there's an actual term for this) where I bring along as much stuff as I want to have (folding chairs, fishing pole, shovel, tent, etc).

For me, there's just something about being able to carry all the comforts of home (well, almost) on my back - I guess it's sort of a "because I can" mentality. Anyone else do this? The only other person I've actually seen do something like this was a guy I met on top of Mt Whitney sitting under a beach umbrella, eating a huge watermelon which he was glad to share :).
 
I don't go 'heavy' too much, but I'm far from ultralight. I know what you mean about being happy to have certain pleasures on your pack. I like being able to bring my pipe with me, and a book or two, and extra steel to play with. Definitely adds some flavor to the trip. I like being a minimalist, but I like having certain goodies with me too!

On things like a chair or better shelter, I normally get so much pleasure out of improvising something that I don't bring the real deal.
 
I know someone who has done it for years .One of the results is that his feet have spread out quite a bit !! I got the idea he is a masochist !!
 
I tend to make some trade offs and keep the pack around the medium weight range. I sleep in a lightweight hammock with a silnylon tarp in case it rains and the space and weight that I save by not having a tent or sleeping pad lets me bring more/better food and a book and a couple of extra blades to play with.
 
One of my pals spends more time in the woods than just about anybody that I'm aware of, he packs pretty light, but he was struggling with not bring beer. He bought special harnesses for his dogs, I think he said they can carry 6 Guinesses apiece.....
 
I used to pack like that, but I found that a lot of stuff never got used and that I was able to enjoy myself more because I wasn't worn out from carying all the extra weight.That's not to say I don't ever bring along some luxuries like a tent or beer/wine (liquor is "ultralight" ;)) and good food. Never carried a watermellon, but I did take a cantaloupe on an overnighter once. It definately was a treat.
For day hikes and peak bagging I do sometimes pack pretty heavy. Lots of food, some beers and of course some "toys".
 
I pack very light, However I be really surprised if there was a big difference in equipment from the heavyweight guys to the light guys except for weight.
 
I have some friends that do that. But they usually only hike like 3 miles or so in and then camp for several days.
 
Love this thread!

The only reason for lightweight gear is so you can carry more beer and a larger portion of your knife collection. ;)

By the way, how many knives is too many on a backpacking/camping trip? :D
 
I try to pack light but then I screw it all up with extra knives, good food, liquor...and...girlfriends stuff she doesnt want to carry.

I figure I'll gladly pack in a few more pounds so I can enjoy my favorite things.
 
I am a 'tweener. I carry minimal gear, and I carry lighter weight gear, but don't leave home anything I need, and still bring some backups. I carry a stove, because I prefer to have the speed that comes from being able to light it and cook. I figure that I can also carry a little less weight in woodcutting tools since I have a stove. I also take a tent and bag, though both are fairly light. As far as camp kitchens, folding shovels and chairs, and photo gear, you are on your own. I often go solo, so everything is in my pack, and am often out for a reason, so have certain gear along, which adds weight. Typically on a hike, I have about 12lbs of gear, if I am walking from where I set up camp, maybe 14-15, and if I am packing everything and moving to a new spot, top out at 40lbs, including all specific gear. I don't mind 20-25lbs, but really don't care for much more than that. If your specific gear, first aid and survival gear weigh 10 lbs, you don't have much room left over for other things. I like to find a place to camp at the end of the first day, and offload my tent, bag, and extra food. That takes 10-12lbs off, and lets you go farther the next day. Works well for a 3 day outing.

I know a guy that carries everything, even in temperate weather, for the same reasons you do, but I just can't see it. It seems like I would rather have extra energy than carry a folding chair, and all the little extras stink when you are bushwacking.
 
For day hikes I go pretty light but I actually kinda like a little weight on my back if I'm going to be camping. Generally 50-70 lbs for a 5 day but I've gone up to 120 for a two-weeker :barf: but that was a wintertime trail movement and didn't involve much elevation.
 
I just weighed "Everything I need" for a three day (Three season)backpacking trip, not including food, water, or fuel for a stove.it weighs five pounds, includes stove, knife, shelter, first aid and signaling kit. I carry a pack just over a weight of twenty pounds.

I started carrying a much heavier pack, but replace worn and old items with smaller and lighter versions. i often carry an umbrella as well, especially if i am hiking with others.
 
Yeah, I never go without anything I need or want. Good food, spirits etc. I can't get my pack over 35# for a week trip unless I'm traversing Death Valley and have to carry all my water.......which I don't do. I guess I'll just pack my Kettlebells so I can workout!! ;)

H
 
mneedham said:
One of my pals spends more time in the woods than just about anybody that I'm aware of, he packs pretty light, but he was struggling with not bring beer. He bought special harnesses for his dogs, I think he said they can carry 6 Guinesses apiece.....
Click to expand...

LMAO...I'm surprised someone didn't comment about this sooner. Each dog is a pack mule which maxes out at, what is it, 12-16oz X 6 is about 6 pounds per dog :D. I almost woke up my GF when I read that, laughed my a$$ off and had to quiet myself down to a whimper. I like your friends thinking, but since I don't drink they would probably have IBC Rootbeer bottles in there (yes I'm old enough, I just don't drink, I don't know why either :o).

On two of my Philmont trips we were forced to pack up to 70-80 pounds for the whole darn trip, a little over two weeks per trip. When I went the first time I was 14 and the pack weighed about 55% of my weight (I was skin and bones back then). Now on my own, I use a camelbak MULE and fill it up with the two liters of water that it carries plus a spool of fishing string, container of hooks and lures, and first aid/snake bite kit.....basically all of the essentials. If it is going to be a long trip, I'll pull out the tent and use my good old philmont pack and get out the comfy pad with the sleeping bag.
 
mjolnirman said:
liquor is hardly a luxury for backpacking - it's an essential survival tool. it's great for lighting stoves, making you forget about foot pains, etc.
Click to expand...

"Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water." - W.C Fields
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top