[pct-l] The dreaded Backpacks

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Wow those are heavy packs. And you said the Osprey couldn't handle  
the weight of your gear. You must have a heavy load.

You may be able to salvage your chances of success by lightening your  
load some. Don't forget you will have to add about 10lbs or more of  
water at times. If you can't replace your big items, consider:

- switching to a closed cell foam pad ($10-$50)
- leaving all changes of clothing home (except spare socks)
- repackaging all toiletries and similar items into tiny containers  
holding only a couple applications at most
- not bringing luxury items like towels (use bandana) or full first- 
aid kits or chairs
- swapping your stove for a lighter canister stove (I got one for $15  
once) or making an alcohol stove ($1)
- using a rain poncho or the fly of your tent for shelter instead of  
a whole tent for at least until Kennedy Meadows
- leaving table service home and eat straight out or your cook pot  
with a plastic spoon
- take the lid off your pot and fashion one from heavy aluminum foil
- replace water bottles with cheap consumer plastic bottles
- eliminate redundant items (put spare whatevers in a box and send it  
ahead to yourself on the trail)

Good luck. The best pack is one that doesn't hurt. If your load is  
pretty heavy, sometimes that's a heavier pack. I swapped a 1lb pack  
out for a 3lb pack early on because the 1lb didn't fit well or hold  
the heavy water I carried well. The 3lb pack felt much lighter  
despite the extra 2lbs.


On Feb 22, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Hey All,
> I have successfully bought my tent and sleeping bag, but am having  
> major
> decision issues with choosing a backpack. I've managed to narrow it  
> down to
> 3 options:
>  The Bergans of Norway Birkebeiner Lady 65L Backpack
>  JanSport Klamath 68 Rucksack
> or the Deuter AirContact Pro.
> I know most of these brands are european, but I was wondering if  
> anyone on
> here knows anything about any of these packs. I just cannot make my  
> mind
> up, and it's driving me crazy!!
> Or anyone have any other recommendations?
> I tried on a few Osprey packs in store with heavy weight, but all  
> of them
> dug in badly on my shoulders. Not sure if its because I have strange
> shoulder shapes. Possibly the women's shape backpacks aren't right  
> for me.
> Any responses greatly appreciated of course.
>
> Flo