I'm 67, do at least a 9 day backpack every summer. Did the 221 mile John Muir
Trail 2 years ago, did 400 miles on Camino de Santiago in 2001. Pack weight
is extremely important to me. It is not fun any more if I am carrying much
over 40 pounds. Now when I do an 8 day trip solo, I start with about 34 pounds.
I normally hike with my wife so starting weight is then a little less due to
shared fuel, stove, etc. I also use two walking sticks due to old knees (I
take glucosamine as well). I will paste in my 8 day solo gear list:
One person 8 day Sierra backpack with food and water
Item Pounds Ounces Total Weight in Pounds
Weight Running Total Pounds
food 1 person 8 days 8 8.0
8.0
full 48 oz water bottle 3 5 3.3
11.3
bear container Garcia 2 11 2.7
14.0
sleeping bag 2 3 2.2
16.2
full 33 oz fuel container1 13 1.8
18.0
Golite Tarp Cave 1 7 1.4
19.4
PUR pump 1 3 1.2
20.6
pack GVPGear G4 15 0.9
21.6
2 pots & lids, cups
titanium, 2 spoons 15 0.9
22.5
stove msr 14.5 0.9
23.4
Golite Coal jacket 12 0.8
24.2
rain jacket 11 0.7
24.8
long sleeve shirt 10 0.6
25.5
tyvek ground cloth 9 0.6
26.0
umbrella 9 0.6
26.6
pad 9 0.6
27.2
Toilet paper 8 0.5
27.7
wind jacket 8 0.5
28.2
sun block 7.75 0.5
28.6
fleece pants 7.5 0.5
29.1
33 oz fuel container 7.25 0.5
29.6
wind pants golite 6 0.4
29.9
tent stakes golite 6 0.4
30.3
empty 48 oz water bottle 5.5 0.3
30.7
2 pair outer socks 5 0.3
31.0
rain pants 4.5 0.3
31.3
medical tape 4 0.3
31.5
2 pair undershorts 4 0.3
31.8
bandages,dental, etc 3.5 0.2
32.0
matches 3 0.2
32.2
ointments 2.5 0.2
32.3
film 3 rolls 2.5 0.2
32.5
50 ft nylon cord 2.5 0.2
32.6
fleece cap 2.5 0.2
32.8
plastic bucket 2.5 0.2
32.9
towel 2.5 0.2
33.1
Deet 2.25 0.1
33.2
PeptoBismol 2 0.1
33.4
nylon cord 2 0.1
33.5
moleskin 2 0.1
33.6
2 sets camera batteries 1.5 0.1
33.7
compass 1.5 0.1
33.8
toothpaste 1.25 0.1
33.9
ibupropin 1.25 0.1
34.0
Asprin 1 0.1
34.0
flashlight led 1 0.1
34.1
garbage bag 1 0.1
34.1
netting 1 0.1
34.2
map 1 0.1
34.3
Note that the above includes one full fuel container, one empty and one full
water container, one empty, to show weight of empty containers
P.S. just noticed I left the camera off - a lightweight Nikon - but still
about a pound
Ralph Alcorn
www.backpack45.com
Shepherd Canyon Books
Publisher of We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill:
Tales and Tips From Seasoned Women Backpackers