[pct-l] base pack weight

[J J at Ridge Trail]

Greetings Jim and others,

First, congratulations on deciding to hike the trail. Answers as I understand them: (1) your definition of base pack weight is the same one I use, so it must be correct;  (2) you will see hikers on the trail with packs with a base weight from possibly 5 pounds to 60+. But more and more hikers are carrying less than 15 pounds base weight. (3) Everyone who hikes or has hiked on the PCT always tells the truth. It's a rule. Actually, I think there is very little BS about base pack weight. Surprisingly, there is very little privacy on the trail. BS becomes evident very quickly.  (4) Fear? No one else has it.

Ask for some packing lists; go to backpackinglight.com and ask around there. My experience is that few things affect the pleasure of a hike as much as pack weight. People with lighter packs tend to walk further. No BS.

Walk well and enjoy this planning time,
Jim Keener ( J J )
_________________

jj at ridgetrailhiker.com
http://ridgetrailhiker.com






On Dec 20, 2009, at 6:14 PM, Jim Bravo wrote:

> I am preparing for a long 2010 PCT hike, and am having a hard time getting my "base pack weight" under 20 pounds. I keep hearing and reading about hikers with 10 or 12 pound packs. These questions keep coming to mind: (1) I am assuming base weight is everything you have in the pack, including the pack, except food, water, and stove fuel. Is this correct? (2) Am I the only hiker with a 20+ pack, or are there other 20-plussers just (wisely) laying low? (I know Mtn Ned digs a 60+ pounder, but I suspect he is in a class of his own, and a lot bigger and stronger than me) (3) Are people accurately reporting their pack weights or is there some margin of error or BS involved? (4) I have a lot of backcountry experience, but not multi-month trips. I suspect I may be taking too much "what if this happens" stuff out of conscious and subconscious fear.
> 
> Any advice is appreciated, I am about to ditch a tiny MP3 player and my 5 ounce digital camera (plus the !%*!#%! chargers).
> 
> Jim
> (JB)
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