Hiking Pack Recommendation

KBamhi

KBamhi

Joined
Jan 26, 2011
Messages
209
I have done a lot of car camping but currently I have an upcoming 3 day / 2 night hike coming up. This will be a pack in pack out trip in the North GA Mountains. Attached is my current pack set up. Naturally I am attempting to keep my load as light as possible and I am estimating the current weight between 22 to 24 lbs. Any additional recommendations ?

Thanks, Keith View attachment Pack List.doc

I guess the title is misleading. The 65 liter pack has already been purchased at a great price, fits really well, and holds the gear nicely. The rope and biners are for raising gear off the ground in bear country, and for the hammock. Ditching the spare clip may be a good idea. The lantern is only about 3 inches high and was intended to use in the hammock. Also considering the wet wipe suggestion. That may save weight because I could also ditch a small squeeze bottle of soap.
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input.
 
Last edited:
I like my GoLite Jam. For a slightly smaller GoLite pack, look at the Peak.

As an aside, you might want to spell out your list as not everyone wants/can open a .doc

Happy hiking!
 
I don't think you need anywhere near a 65L pack to fit that, even with the added clothes. An extra pair of socks and underwear aren't going to take up much room.
What's the rope and biners for? You don't have any gear to go with them listed, unless that's for the hammock.
I'd add a pack of Wet Wipes, and ditch the lantern, handheld light, multitool, spare mag, washcloth, towel, and blowup pillow-see how one of your collapsible water bottles works for that.

Are you asking for a pack recommendation? That's what the title says, but you give no info beyond the gear list. If you're not doing longer trips, I would be looking at packs smaller than 65L.
Regardless, you'll need to take your stuff with you, and try on packs with the proper torso size to see what individually fits you. What's comfortable for me isn't necessarily going to be comfortable for you, and vice versa.
 
I do three days/two nights with a CamelBak HAWG, with straps added to hold my tarp and ground cloth.
 
Unless your stuff is specifically ultralight I'd say you are easily hitting 25 lbs already.

On a two night trip I'll bring a long sleeve pullover for the evenings, an extra pair of socks (maybe two) and extra pair of underwear, and maybe an extra pair of shorts, but not much else by way of clothing.

If I have a headlamp I don't really need a flashlight, or a lantern.

For what you have planned paracord or 5mm accessory cord is plenty good. Real biners are probably adviseable for the hammock, but for your bear bag (and for general use) the cheapo fake ones are fine.

Do you have a way to lash the tarp around the pack in case of rain? Otherwise you'll want a rain fly specific to your pack (a wet pack is a heavy pack.).

If it were me, and I had the multi-tool I'd skip the fixed blade.

My theory for weekend trips is to go as light as possible, move fast, linger longer, and enjoy being close to nature. Maybe even closer than you'd be willing on a longer trip, where sustained comfort and added capabilities become more critical.
 
I agree 65 liters is going to be a little overkill for a 2-3 day trip, but if it's what you got then it'll have to work :)

add compass/map
add stakes/guys for the tarp
is insulation needed between the hammock and you?
nix the lantern
nix the was cloth, small towel should suffice easily
multi tool or fixed blade, no need for both

make sure you re-package soap, sunscreen, bug dope, etc- lots of weight can shaved by just bringing what's going to be used

go easy on the clothing- I think this is where most folks get way overboard
for a 2-3 day trip- the skivies you have on are plenty (wash them if need be), same for the shirt- just the one you're wearing, ditto pants/shorts

do bring one extra pair of socks, an insulating layer, you've already got your rain gear listed (poncho/tarp), I always bring a light beanie/gloves as well

do NOT forget your camera :D
 
You list two multi-tools. leave one. Ideally leave the heavier one. Maybe go pick up a simple SAK?

In toiletries, don't bring toothpaste. Use baking soda in a 35mm film canister.

Ditch the lantern, headlamp works fine.

You don't need a spare shirt. Bring one pair shorts, one pair pants (or bring zip-offs, as I do). Don't bring spare undies. Bring spare socks, I bring two pairs of differing weights, plus what's on my feet.
Also, I'd advise you get a lightweight, nylon, long-sleeved shirt. Look at Mountain Hardware's Canyon long sleeve. It protects you from the sun, drizzle, etc.

Pack good gloves.

Pack a fleece top and long underwear bottoms.

Bring some biodegradable soap. I cant remember what it's called, but someone makes an 18 in 1 hemp soap. I use that, just a few ounces in a little nalgene bottle or film canister to clean cook pots, etc. though hot water and ash get the job done too (rinse well afterwards).

A 45 liter pack will get this done easy, but compress down what you've got if you have no other option.

Wet packs are very heavy, your trip will suck with epic proportions. Pack a black contractor's bag with a draw-cord to put over your bag.

No need for heavy-duty rope, paracord will do the job.

Ditch the pillow.

You may say "well I just dumped all this kit!?"

Look at what you have. A stuff-sack filled with a poncho is a perfectly good pillow. You don't need two multi-tools. You don't need the heavy rope.

Oh, one other piece of advice: put a five-gallon bucket, a bar of soap, some shampoo, and a bathing suit in the back of your car at the trail head. When you return from your epic journey, you can wash yourself off and return to the home not smelling like a two-week-dead skunk.
 
I must be doing something very wrong, my pack fully loaded is 60lbs. All I have in there is a sleeping bag, tent, 1L pot w/ freeze dried food, a trauma pack, granola bars, 2000ML of water, my bk2, and a sleeping pad.
 
The Logical One said:
I must be doing something very wrong, my pack fully loaded is 60lbs. All I have in there is a sleeping bag, tent, 1L pot w/ freeze dried food, a trauma pack, granola bars, 2000ML of water, my bk2, and a sleeping pad.
Click to expand...

60lbs?? That's quite a lot of weight! I think my pack weighs in at around 10-15Kg or 20-30lbs. And that's with a lot of unnecessary gear like knives and hatchets etc. How much does your tent and sleeping bag weigh?
 
mtwarden said:
I agree 65 liters is going to be a little overkill for a 2-3 day trip, but if it's what you got then it'll have to work :)

add compass/map
add stakes/guys for the tarp
is insulation needed between the hammock and you?
nix the lantern
nix the was cloth, small towel should suffice easily
multi tool or fixed blade, no need for both

make sure you re-package soap, sunscreen, bug dope, etc- lots of weight can shaved by just bringing what's going to be used

go easy on the clothing- I think this is where most folks get way overboard
for a 2-3 day trip- the skivies you have on are plenty (wash them if need be), same for the shirt- just the one you're wearing, ditto pants/shorts

do bring one extra pair of socks, an insulating layer, you've already got your rain gear listed (poncho/tarp), I always bring a light beanie/gloves as well

do NOT forget your camera :D
Click to expand...

the above pretty much sums it really, your list is pretty good bar doubling up on multi tools, I dont really like commenting on what people should and should not pack as the gear you bring depends on what your used to using, what your comfortable with and what works for you as an individual, it only takes a couple of trips to start working out what you need and what you dont.

theres nothing wrong with a 65 litre pack for a 2-3 day trip, just cause its got alot of room doesnt mean you have to fill it, I use my 65 litre for anything over a day as its all I can afford at the moment, its fine under packed as it has good compression straps

good luck and enjoy yourself,
 
Here is his list:

Pack List

8/13/2011

65 Liter Pack / Estimated loaded weight 22 to 24 lbs

55 degree fleece sleeping bag / Alternate low temp down bag
Hennessy Hammock
Rain Tarp
Spare tarp / rain poncho
Blow up pillow
First aid kit
Insect protection
Daily medications
2 collapsible water bottles
High volume water filter
Mini gas stove with cooking cups and gas
Dehydrated cooking bag food
Spoon
Snacks
Multi Tool
Flash light
Mini lantern
Head lamp
Spare batteries
4 in. blade knife
Multi-tool
9 mm handgun with extra clip
Fire making tools / waterproof matches
Toiletries / toilet paper
Wash cloth and towel
Rope and 2 carabiners

To be loaded:

Extra clothing
 
HandofCod said:
60lbs?? That's quite a lot of weight! I think my pack weighs in at around 10-15Kg or 20-30lbs. And that's with a lot of unnecessary gear like knives and hatchets etc. How much does your tent and sleeping bag weigh?
Click to expand...

I have the eureka 2 person tent, not sure how much it weighs. I think the biggest culprit to the weight is my northface wintum 0 degree sleeping bag. That thing is a behemoth! My pack is a gregory baltoro 75.

I seriously don't know where all the weight is coming from, I'm speculating that everything just kinda "adds up", and I think my pack kind of contributes to the weight too.

When my friend picked up my bag he had this look of disbelief and said, "how the heck are you going to backpack with this thing??". I did a 3 mile hike to the campsite of mostly uphill terrain and it wasn't THAT bad, but a few days after the trip was over my traps were sore as hell.
 
The Logical One said:
I have the eureka 2 person tent, not sure how much it weighs. I think the biggest culprit to the weight is my northface wintum 0 degree sleeping bag. That thing is a behemoth! My pack is a gregory baltoro 75.

I seriously don't know where all the weight is coming from, I'm speculating that everything just kinda "adds up", and I think my pack kind of contributes to the weight too.

When my friend picked up my bag he had this look of disbelief and said, "how the heck are you going to backpack with this thing??". I did a 3 mile hike to the campsite of mostly uphill terrain and it wasn't THAT bad, but a few days after the trip was over my traps were sore as hell.
Click to expand...

I had the same problem that you have. The North Face make a lot of good stuff, but lightweight winter/cold sleeping bags isn't one of them. I shopped a lot for a new sleeping bag but couldn't find any of them light enough to fit the bill. That is until I fell upon the Western Mountaineering sleeping bags. They are very light and they take almost 0 space in your backpack. Their only problem is the price but once you try them you will never look back. Their website: http://www.westernmountaineering.com
 
The reduntant multi tools were a typo. I weighted the pack at 18 lbs and have added just a couple items since. Great suggestions all around and have made some revisions based on suggestions already. The pack came with a built in rain cover. I need the rope for extending the hammock rigging if necessary. I have bio soap and to me washing up in cold mountain water is a wonderful way to start the day. I probably went overboard on the lighting requirement. I was once an avid cave explorer and have done some pretty extreme caving with my longest drop about 260 ft. My personal rule in those days was 3 different sources of light and it stuck with me. I am going to revisit my needs in that regard. Maybe 2 ? lol.
Most everything in the pack is either light weight intended for hiking, or repackaged. Ditch the knife, did someone say ditch the knife? Shame on you. : )
 
TheNick said:
I had the same problem that you have. The North Face make a lot of good stuff, but lightweight winter/cold sleeping bags isn't one of them. I shopped a lot for a new sleeping bag but couldn't find any of them light enough to fit the bill. That is until I fell upon the Western Mountaineering sleeping bags. They are very light and they take almost 0 space in your backpack. Their only problem is the price but once you try them you will never look back. Their website: http://www.westernmountaineering.com
Click to expand...

Holy cow those are expensive. I actually found a very lightweight 30 degree sleeping bag on amazon for $30, only problem is that I think it has been used and returned. When I pulled the bag out it smelled like B/O and the tags weren't even attached with the plastic string thing. I'm going to exchange it and I think that bag will make a huge difference in terms of weight savings.
 
KBamhi said:
The reduntant multi tools were a typo. I weighted the pack at 18 lbs and have added just a couple items since. Great suggestions all around and have made some revisions based on suggestions already. The pack came with a built in rain cover. I need the rope for extending the hammock rigging if necessary. I have bio soap and to me washing up in cold mountain water is a wonderful way to start the day. I probably went overboard on the lighting requirement. I was once an avid cave explorer and have done some pretty extreme caving with my longest drop about 260 ft. My personal rule in those days was 3 different sources of light and it stuck with me. I am going to revisit my needs in that regard. Maybe 2 ? lol.
Most everything in the pack is either light weight intended for hiking, or repackaged. Ditch the knife, did someone say ditch the knife? Shame on you. : )
Click to expand...

Good job on lightening up.

Definitely don't need that many lights, assuming you aren't caving.
 
Looks very well planned.

I missed the hat and sunblock :D

Have a great trip!

Aubrey
 
You're right Aubrey, I need to add the sunblock but I never leave the house without a hat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top