[pct-l] Average Pack Weight & Average Weight Loss

[patrick griffith]

Hi All,
Following a recent email by Steel Eye, I've a general question about pack weight, water weight and weight loss.
1. Pack Weight: I'll be honest hereand say I'm looking at 9 kilos base weight, which I know is above average. This is a function of several factors but essentially this is now fixed. It might come down if I decide to fork lots of extra cash for ultra light equipment, but probably only to about 7-8 kilos, so still above the norm for an 'ultra-light' hiker. I worried about this at first but have since come to terms with it. I am male, 6'2 and weigh about 86kilos at the moment so figure I have the frame to handle that base weight, at least in the short term. Should I really be looking to cut the end of my plastric toothbrush to save on a couple grams of weight? Or would that effort be better spent elsewhere?
2. Water Weight : This year is shaping up to be a relatively dry one, so I imagine everyone will be carrying lots of water, so does it make sense to restructure the walking day and avoid having to consume, and therefore carry, lots of water? Water is heavy so if I can consistently carry 1 litre or 2 less than the norm then my base weight equivalent comes down quickly.
3. Weight loss : I am in relatively good shape, as I said before my weight is about right for my height (i.e BMI) but know that I will probably lose a considerable amount in the first month as my body adapts to the trail. When I trained hard for a marathon I lost 7-8 kilos pretty comfortably, which was obviously some fat but mostly losing upper body muscle bulk that I didn't need to get me round a marathon course, so know I can and will lose the weight out there on the trail without it having a negative effect (to a point of course).Further, I know as a male I am likely to lose more weight and lose it faster than the average female and know in the long run diet is major factor in being able to stay on the trail with a high mileage. I want to ask what the average weight loss is per hiker finishing the PCT is, but a number in kilos or pounds alone doesn't really mean much. A better question would be, how many BMI points does the average hiker drop during a thru-hike? Has anyone kept tabs on that over the years?
The main reason I'm asking all this is I've realised my pack weight is above average for a ultra-light thru hiker and am trying to trying of a way round it, or if it even matters in the long run considering water, body weight and food requirements etc so wonder if this ultra light mantra is such a big deal. As ever I look forward to your opinions!
Patrick