[at-l] backpacks

[ellen at clinic.net (ellen)]

There are no simple answers to these questions. Legitimate answers depend on the questioner's knowledge, experience, body characteristics, budget, expected town time, starting date,...etc.

Basically, wise hikers carry the lightest pack that will comfortably carry all the stuff they will carry on their hike. Most really light weight packs won't comfortably carry more than 25 pounds or so, some even less.

The variables about weight needed are enormous. You obviously need heavier gear when starting in February, than when starting mid-April or early May.

You obviously need to carry more weight if you plan to stop in town as little as possible -- i.e. whenever a town is nearby, or after five or six days -- for some even longer. It's all a trade off. Start in February. Carry heavy winter gear. Have plenty of time for frequent town stops. 

Start in April. Carry less gear since spring has sprung, but you miss the luxury of frequent town stops, and the resulting heavier food weights.

These few comments are just a primer. Really lightweight gear, needed if you are going with really lightweight packs is expensive -- typically twice the cost of routine, everyday gear. Same for packs.

You don't save money by reducing weight. Low weight is costly as a result.

Weary

> ------------Original Message------------
> From: Adkhiker2003@wmconnect.com
> To: stephensadams@hotmail.com, harper_red7@hotmail.com
> Cc: at-l@backcountry.net
> Date: Sun, Sep-19-2004 11:15 AM
> Subject: Re: [at-l] backpacks
> 
> Well Said Steve
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