[at-l] Trade off options (was Re: How much is too much?)

[m_factor@hotmail.com (Mara Factor)]

Teresa,

I thruhiked with a Dana Design Terraplane.  It was a pack that I had for
years before my thruhike and loved.  It performed great on the trail and is
mostly bombproof, but I would never thruhike with it again.  It's just plai=
n
too heavy.

I've found that if you can get your pack weight and volume down, you can go
with a much lighter (and less costly) backpack.

For example, you can get an excellent lightweight backpack with plenty of
room for $99.  With a true suspension, for $150.  If you were to take the
extra $50 to $150 dollars you were to save from the pack and invest in a
good, lightweight sleeping bag, then, for the same money you would have
spent on heavier gear, you could get out on the trail probably 4 pounds
lighter than otherwise, with absolutely no loss in functionality of
equipment.

For a stove, I would make (or ask tincanstoveman to make) an alcohol stove
for your trip.  Whatever you save on a stove, apply to your shelter.  If
possible, get a sylnylon tent or tarp.  They'll give you the most room for
the weight.

If I were to thruhike the AT again, I would use my P-1 backpack.  I'm
currently planning a PCT hike for next year and I'm torn betweeen the P-1
and my Kelty Vapor which can, if necessary, be used with its suspension
system for the heavier water carrying sections that are unnecessary on the
AT.

One more thing...  Given my size (very tall but with an extremely short
torso), I'm notorioiusly difficult to fit.  I've found that the lighter I
go, the more likely I am to be able to have a more customized fit to my
gear, and the more likely the absolute fit is less important.  My Kelty is
really too long for me, but since I'm usually only carrying 20 pounds or so=
,
with a few heavier days here and there, it just doesn't matter as much as
when I was routinely carrying 40+ pounds every day.

Even my Terraplane which fit like a glove would give me pack sores at the
start of a long trip.  I haven't had a single pack sore with either my Kelt=
y
or P-1.

Check out my web site for additional tips:
http://friends.backcountry.net/m_factor/

Hope this helps,

Mara
Stitches, AT99

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