Not Under 6 kg Pack

[Son of a Beach]

In reading this topic (and others similar), it would appear to me that the primary difference between the 'heavier' weight carries and the 'mid' weight carriers (no 'light' weights in this topic yet that I can see), is about priorities of comfort.

The 'mid' weight carriers are more concerned about having a comfortable weight on their back, whereas the 'heavier' weight carriers are more concerned with other comforts (eg, at camp). I don't see anything wrong with either view (I lean towards the comforts at camp side, I suppose).

I agree with sthughes that there's really very little difference between the two sets of lists shown. The ~5kg weight difference is easily accounted for mostly by 'comfort' items, tent and pack.

But really, sthughes.... >20kg for 4 nights? That's a bit much! I have done similar things myself on at least one occasion I can think of, I suppose. All fresh food and some good drinks makes for some great camping sometimes.

As people from both perspectives say... it's a matter of priorities.

[the_camera_poser]

I'm an overweight carrier- I'd like to not have a heart attack on the trail while still having a nice time.

In my youth- I would routinely carry 25+ kg on short trips- and I used almost none of it. I'd be keen to try the ultralight thing, especially with carrying gear for loafing, freeloading family members, but it always comes down to the "do I really want to leave the notebook out?"

My camera pack weighs 15kg fully loaded, and it's very poorly suspended- I can carry it all day though. I wonder if I could just strap that on the back of my 20yo rucksack and take both along? LOL

[Darren]

G'Day Nuts
If you are happy and fit enough to carry 34 kg on your back you could try lowering your base hiking weight to 10kg then you would have enough left over for a carton and some ice.
Just a thought
Darren

[corvus]

I guess that in reality, i'd end up with a similar weight to Corvus, though I do recognise that a similar level of safety (perhaps not comfort) could be achieved with far less.

Apart from the obvious "luxury items" what would you ditch if you had to and still be really safe

[Nuts]

G'Day Nuts
If you are happy and fit enough to carry 34 kg on your back you could try lowering your base hiking weight to 10kg then you would have enough left over for a carton and some ice.
Just a thought
Darren

Hi Darren, I am neither ...But that does sound good...

[Nuts]

Apart from the obvious "luxury items" what would you ditch if you had to and still be really safe

Hi Corvus: I choose not to answer (further) on the grounds that I may incriminate ( ) myself

[Nuts]

though, having thought further, i guess it would be 'my pack, all the gear and bushwalking....'

[Nuts]

[corvus]

Apart from the obvious "luxury items" what would you ditch if you had to and still be really safe

Hi Corvus: I choose not to answer (further) on the grounds that I may incriminate ( ) myself

Oh I see no faith in your own conviction I guess it is time for you to give it all up and retire to the Bowls Club Just a pity that some would miss your presence on the tracks so perhaps you will just have to keep hauling those heavy loads !! maybe you could even con a mate (or mug)to share the burden for the price of a "medicinal vodka"

[Tony]

Hi sthughes,

When I first read the quoted post below post I decided that it was not worth my effort for me to continue this debate as it was obvious that you where just trying to stir the pot, Nuts had the same thoughts

seems to me it was just to stir the pot

, I originally thought that you have no interest in going lightweight. You where knocking my gear and it was obvious that you have not even seen the gear though know how it performs but then I realised that you where weighing your gear and now you are aware of how much everything weighs in your pack and that is the start of becoming a lightweight walker, congratulations, you have made the first step, the rest will follow, maybe slowly but it will happen. I have looked at your gear list there are bits of gear and things to do that I could suggest to reduce your weight but that is with my views in mind and as we know we look at things in a different way and it is something that you will have to tailor to your needs. Some advice is to ignore what others think and do what you want.

Tony,
Okay I'm sorry for doubting how incredibly robust and warm your fantastic lightweight gear is compared to our antiquated stuff. I guess you're right and I'm just too stupid to do whats best for me. I will be into the local outdoor shop tomorrow to check out a coat like yours, I could do with something lighter than my stupid heavy jacket that is no more durable anyway. I was only dubious of it's off track survivability because a retailer was describing it as ideal for "low abrasion environments". And I was only unsure of the warmth of the quilt becaause Backpacklight themselves say "The Backpacking Light UL 180 Quilt can be used as the core component of a three-season sleep system when combined with Cocoon clothing, or by itself for summer backpacking in mild climates". At least you have put me right now and I can move on to an enlightened future.

I look forward to finding its limits

I don't want to find the limits of my gear - I think that sums up our differences nicley.

Okay I'm sorry for doubting how incredibly robust and warm your fantastic lightweight gear is compared to our antiquated stuff. I guess you're right and I'm just too stupid to do whats best for me.

Sorry you feel like this

I will be into the local outdoor shop tomorrow to check out a coat like yours

Good luck as I got mine from the US, I think Larry Adler is the only company that sells them in Australia at a much higher cost.

I could do with something lighter than my stupid heavy jacket that is no more durable anyway. I was only dubious of it's off track survivability because a retailer was describing it as ideal for "low abrasion environments"

I knew its limitations when I decided on the jacket I got my marmont Precip jacket for about A$70, My MD Stratos jacket costs about $600+, as I said it has already handled some tough conditions already and I am quite happy with it, if I get two-three seasons out of it I will be happy.

And I was only unsure of the warmth of the quilt becaause Backpacklight themselves say "The Backpacking Light UL 180 Quilt can be used as the core component of a three-season sleep system when combined with Cocoon clothing, or by itself for summer backpacking in mild climates"

Isn't it nice that a sleeping bag manufacture under rates a bag for a change, as Franco pointed out with the right techniques eg: using some extra thermals or Cocoon clothing etc lightweight sleeping bags can be used at quite low temperatures. (duel use of gear is one of the main principles of going lightweight) I regularly used my 1kg FairyDown bag at well below freezing.

If we only believed gear manufactures information then as I recall the Macpac is supposed to be a 3 season tent (not snow rated) and from what I read and experienced what a tent should handle in Tasmania on BW-T then you should not be using it for Tasmanian conditions.

I look forward to finding its limits

I don't want to find the limits of my gear - I think that sums up our differences nicley.

I get a lot of enjoyment finding the limits of my gear and myself (to stay fit I do Mountain running and long distance running) finding the limits of gear is a way of knowing your gear and how to use it.

there is an excellent article on how to go lightweight on BPL called Lightweight Backpacking 101: An Introductory Manual for Lightening Your Load Today (1st Edition - August 2001)
unfortunately to get the full article you have to become a member, it costs US$25, not that much really as it can save you much more, the BPL forum is also an excellent source of information and is good to keep up to date with the latest technology, you can read most posts on the BPL forum for free..

Tony

[Nuts]

Tony, I have some Marmot Precip jackets (and the Oracle (reinforced precip.).
They are a well made jacket though don't 'breathe' at all and I wouldn't trust them off-track.
Good on trails and as a lightweight option when rain is a possibility, not a given.
Ended up back with Goretex, would probably give the eVent a go if buying now.
Dearer than the lighter (eg. single layer/precip) options though..

Still using precip.(oracle) pants- though have done much 'patching'...

BTW- That extreme w'proof tape works well for this.

[Tony]

Hi Nuts,

Tony, I have some Marmot Precip jackets (and the Oracle (reinforced precip.).
They are a well made jacket though don't 'breathe' at all and I wouldn't trust them off-track.
Good on trails and as a lightweight option when rain is a possibility, not a given.
Ended up back with Goretex, would probably give the eVent a go if buying now.
Dearer than the lighter (eg. single layer/precip) options though..

Still using precip.(oracle) pants- though have done much 'patching'...

BTW- That extreme w'proof tape works well for this.

Thanks for that report on your experiences with the Marmont precip jacket. I feel that to read reports like this is very important. And thanks for the info on repairs.

In some conditions I have had some wetting inside the Precip but nothing worse that my walking mates Gortex paclite jacket, when it has happened I have been able controlled this condensation by opening up the front of the jacket.

Tony

[Nuts]

Yeah, it is interesting, many of the people I walk with are 'first timers'. Without persisting with gear, you dont work out the ways to get around the short comings (to make the most of any advantages). Probably the main reason I got rid of the precip. (as they were used soley 'on track') was more they weren't "goretex", I decided I would rather the Coat's explained their limitations rather than me or other guides (The precip (Oracle) does have pit and chest vent zips) I personally use a paclite jacket I believe it is better (though not perfect).

I have used that tape (bought from mitre10) on many of the pants (they come apart down low where boots are forced through them (without unzipping )) The tape will stay on thru washer/drier and is an easy fix.

[blacksheep]

Guys, as you know I have an interest in directing people to the best gear avaialble....however, this time it's neither macpac or fairydown...the answer to the quest is found in here.. http://www.ediblegear.com/ enjoy!

[Tony]

Hi Nuts,

I personally use a paclite jacket I believe it is better (though not perfect).

There are some nice light Paclite jackets out there, I am thinking of getting to try next.

I have used that tape (bought from mitre10) on many of the pants (they come apart down low where boots are forced through them (without unzipping )) The tape will stay on thru washer/drier and is an easy fix.

I use an old pair of Intertrek WP pants that I purchased about 20 years ago, I can't wear them out but a bit heavy though, I tried some Rainbird pants they did not last long, I might try some precip WP pants next.

Tony

[Son of a Beach]

Maybe we could set up a spread sheet with a full list and everybody put their weights against that list. A bit hard as we all carry different elements to our stoves (ie with or without windshields). There are other examples of what some consider essentials (first aid kits, vodka) and others seem to get by without.

Also with a rating for how off track you are going, and over how many people you are sharing weight.

It could be a fun exercise.

My next BWT project will actually make this possible all on the BWT site. It's not the purpose of the project, but an off-shoot of it. I'll post more details when it's a bit further along in development. It will be some time away from completion yet (only really started in earnest about a week ago), so if you guys want to do a spreadsheet in the meantime, don't hold back.

Right, it's now 'a bit further along in development'. For more details, see here.

[Penguin]

Hi all gear freaks

Packing for 8 days (but could last 10 if get caught) in the Southern Range and the SW track. Doing everything at the last minute so cannot give you exact weight of each item. All clothes, pack, tent, etc 15.1kgs. Food for eight days 4.2kgs So I am under 20kgs before you add water - the water containers are included in the above. Corvus, letting to side down with no grog in the mix.

Rough guide to what I am taking. Pack 2.8kgs. Tent 1.8 kgs with 11 pegs, it gets pretty windy on the Southern range so I want to be able to use all the guys on the tent. Sleeping bag 970gms. Prolite 4 sleeping mat. Down jacket 580gms. Have no idea of the weight of all the other bits pieces. But have worked hard to get down weight of cloths etc. I am taking an EPIRB. Also I have several cooking bowls to use in the group - I could same about 400gms there.

When I come back I will let you know what I do not use. This time last year at Frenchman's the snow was heavy. A good result would be no cold weather gear used, and fine weather all the way

P

[corvus]

Good one Penguin,enjoy your trip and dont worry I will have a couple of medicinal drinks for you on our Stroll this weekend.
c