[BULK] - Re: [pct-l] Pack weight to body weight ratio...

[kraig.mottar at verizon.net (Kraig Mottar)]

A message on pack weight I recently posted was according to what I read in another message written by someone else that one should be able to carry half one's weight. At 6'3" and 200 lbs, I don't need to lose weight, but will one lose weight from hiking when one doesn't need to lose weight?

Kraig

> From: Bighummel@aol.com
> Date: 2005/01/05 Wed PM 05:43:20 PST
> To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [BULK] - Re: [pct-l] Pack weight to body weight ratio...
> 
> Just for reference, I weighed about 200 lbs. when I started and am 6'9", so 
> very lean and was in good condition at 20 years old.  My base weight in Sth 
> Calif with wooden ice axe, two man tent, Jan Sport external frame pack, first 
> edition polarguard mummy 15 degree bag, 1.5 pound double burner propane cartridge 
> stove, weighed in at 45 to 50 pounds without food or water.  Fully loaded, 
> intending to get to Big Bear without any serious resupply (~230 miles in 1977) 
> weight was at 65 pounds to start at the border with a quart of water.  
> 
> Thus my pack weight was about a quarter plus of my body weight.  The soreness 
> in my shoulders and adjustment in mid body muscles probably took two weeks, 
> then I had almost no problems carrying this and more in the Sierras.  
> 
> By the time I hit Nth Calif., my body weight had dropped to around 185 (thus 
> the old trail name that Hacker gave me of Great Albino Zulu Warrior) and pack 
> weight hadn't changed much.  Thus pack to body weight was up to 1: 3.  
> 
> Now, I'm still 6'9", weigh about 235 lbs. and have my base pack weight down 
> to around 15 pounds!  Thus I have my pack to body ratio down to 1:15.7!   
> 
> I'm carrying more weight on my body, and must carry much less in the pack in 
> order to make the pace and miles that I still want to do.  I imagine another 
> thru-hike would bring my body weight down another 15 or 20 pounds.  
> 
> Different body types will certainly require a different pack to body ratio 
> for comfort.  YMMV, however, I have clearly bought into the ultra-light concept 
> of going the very lightest you can with the comfort and hiking style that you 
> want, regardless of body weight. 
> 
> I miss the trail life and just ache for the opportunity in my life again.  In 
> just three days of hiking this summer my trail legs kicked back in and 
> screamed at me to keep going.  
> 
> Eating well, maintaining myself, waiting, waiting.
> 
> Greg
> 
> 
> 
>  "Of one thing I am certain, the transformation I yearn for is incomplete. I 
> do not know whether I am any closer to enlightenment - I do not really expect 
> to acheive it - but I know that the attempt is worth the effort."
>                                Oliver Statler, in Japanese Pilgrimage
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