[pct-l] Heavy Hiking

["Read Miller" <ReadM@sprynet.com>]

The discussion of zero pack weight leads me to go a little further.

When I'm not training or hiking I weigh 175 pounds in my birthday working
suit. Dressed for work with my wing tips cell phone pager etc. I'm pushing
185 as I walk around town. My base pack weight is about 10 pounds. When I
add in my clothing, the items in my pockets, my shoes and food, water, and
other expendables for five days, my "skin out weight" is in the low 20's.

When I'm in shape with 10% body fat I weigh 150 adding in my "skin out
weight" for hiking, I'm carrying less weight than I do around home even when
nude. Do I thus have a negative pack weight?

Those of us who are trying to minimize what we carry within the limits of
what we personally consider reasonably safe and comfortable may want to
consider body fat as another area over which we have some discretion.
Perhaps we should be comparing our total discretionary weight (base pack +
expendables + worn & carried in pockets + body fat). I see very little
discussion of this aspect of preparation but I certainly found that removing
25 pounds of fat makes far more difference than further adjusting my gear
list.

Since I'm in my mid fifties, I have to work at this harder than I did 30
years ago. I need to be in shape when I start. Once I'm on the trail my
problem is not loose too much.
BEGIN:VCARD
N:Miller;Read
FN:Read Miller
EMAIL;PREF;INTERNET:Read@ReadMiller.com
END:VCARD