[pct-l] Pct-l Digest, Vol 10, Issue 39

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Oct 21, 2008, at 11:43 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> I am also looking at ultra-light backpacks such as Rays, the GoLite  
> Jam 2, Six Moons Comet, the Granite Gear Vapor Trail and others.?I  
> currently haul a Ospry Talon.? ?My problem is that once I fill a  
> bear vault with 5 days to a weeks worth of?food, plus a base weight  
> of 20-25 lbs, I am up around 35-45 lbs.? My impression is that this  
> is a lot of weight for one of these packs.? I have also been known  
> to "plop" down none-to-gently and fall back to rest with the pack  
> still on.? I am concerned as to the "ruggedness" of some of these  
> packs.? Your experiences are hereby solicited.? Thanks.

I started with an old, very light backpack, not one of the famous  
brandss. I found it uncomfortable carrying the extra weight of water  
and a full-sized bear cannister simply would not fit. Well, it would  
fit, but only if I brought nothing else.

I ended up driving in to REI from Agua Dulce and buying an Osprey.  
After I did that, despite it being a heavier pack, it felt like much  
less weight.

I think I could have switched back to my light pack after I ditched  
the bear can. Temperatures were so warm in July that I stopped  
carrying extra layers and my Osprey pack ended up being a little too  
big. I suppose I could have gone back to my old pack when the extra  
size and weight-handling were not needed. An option for others perhaps.