[at-l] packing light...

[lorac4491 at linkamerica.net (Coosa)]

I'm really hoping to keep my pack under 40 pounds... but who 
knows. 

April 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Uhm, April, if you're planning to hike for TWO, then 40 is pretty reasonable.

However, if you're planning to hike for ONE, then 20 to 25 is VERY reasonable.

Think like this: a hiker has about 50 different items in a backpack.  If that hiker shaves off ONE OUNCE from each items, then the pack weight goes down by just over THREE POUNDS!  Okay, so that hiker says, cool, how about TWO OUNCES from each item?  Hey, that's OvEr SIX POUNDS less in the pack and on the back.

F'r-instance the lowly knife.  A one ounce with scissors, blade, toothpick, will suffice instead of a 6 ounce multitool.
F-r-instance the pack towel.  Do you really need one when a bandana will do?  Or do you cut that sucker down to a useful size and reduce it by 3 or more ounces.
F'r-instance maps and guides.  Save weight by either tearing the books up and putting what you'll need in your maildrop boxes.  OR as one guy does -- he makes photo copies, reducing the size and using both sides of the copy paper.  Then he does the same with the maps.  He cuts the total weight by 8 or more ounces.

Lots of other F'r-instances.

Think LIGHTly,

Coosa (Trail ArchAngel on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia)
Casey the WonderDog and Crockett the ManlyDog