Advantages of a Smaller Pack?

[Wandering Daisy]

It is not just the volume of a pack. The suspension system has to match your load. In addition to volume, you need to determine the weight carried. Every pack I have bought is comfortable at far less weight than they say it will carry. A smaller pack will not work well if you really need the weight capacity as well as the volume because most smaller packs have suspension systems designed for very light loads, of around 30-35 pounds (even though they will say these are OK for 45 pounds).

Tying a bear can full of food on the outside of an internal frame pack rarely works well. Bear cans are designed to be slippery and of all things tied to the outside of a pack, more likely to fall off. It would be better to just buy one of those smaller Bear Vaults that work for 2-4 day trips.

I was very tempted to get a longer Bearikade since the cost is nearly the same as the weekender, but decided that I really did not want to carry more food than the weekender would carry anyway. I would rather just cut down on food and fish more! If the Bearikades were not so expensive I would buy a custom smaller one for shorter trips. Wouldn't it be great if someone invented an expandable multi-size bear can!

[powderhound]

That's a good idea about Malt-O-Meal! I'll have to try it. I'm not a fan of oatmeal, so I've been eating Nature Valley Protein Granola with a bunch of powdered milk dumped in it to help fill the voids.

I fish, but it can be tricky if there is a fire ban. I've been leaving my pole at home to cut down on weight, but will probably bring a line and some flies and tie them to a stick if I find myself setting up camp early.

It's also not a bad idea to sew a custom pack to hold the bear can. I got an old sewing machine and have been starting to sew gear, but I'm not sure I can make anything with good suspension for heavier loads. I saw a decent but badly ripped internal frame pack with a good hip belt and shoulder straps at a thrift store for $4, kinda with I bought it so I could use the parts to make a pack.

[AlmostThere]

What she actually did was tear apart an old backpack she wore to pieces, re-used the frame and belt, and so the franken-pack has a top load of upwards of 40 lbs with lightweight pack bag. And I believe the food went in bags inside the main body of the pack, and the sleeping gear went in the can at the bottom.

I'd do that with an old Granite Gear pack if only I were handier with the sewing machine.

[rlown]

I fish, but it can be tricky if there is a fire ban. I've been leaving my pole at home to cut down on weight, but will probably bring a line and some flies and tie them to a stick if I find myself setting up camp early.

Buck it up a bit.. Bring the pan and your stove and enjoy that rod and fish meal: http://www.highsierratopix.com/culinary ... g-methods/

Good luck on finding a dead stick that'll work.. And don't even cut off a green stick..

Everything said about suspension systems relative to pack weight is of the most importance.

[ERIC]

Good luck on finding a dead stick that'll work..

I've done this many times, and been successful, on small creeks. With and without a makeshift pole.

[Jimr]

Tenkara

[rlown]

a rod and reel weighs 12 oz. I'm not seeing the issue in carrying one rather than looking for sticks. The pan outweighs the rod/reel, but above fireline, that is what you do.

[ERIC]

Well, I guess YMMV.

[Wandering Daisy]

Fishing gear does not impact my pack size. The rod goes on the outside, so it is not an issue with respect to the size of my pack. Reel and all other stuff is small enough to easily fit in an outside pocket. I am a minimalist fisherman. All my fishing gear weighs a total of 11 oz. and is very compact. Nevertheless, I really have to watch my total pack weight as I am getting older and not growing any bigger! To compare, 11 oz is also the weight of my wading shoes, a bit less than a medium fuel canister, two layers of light insulation, more than my sleeping pad, so is not insignificant. The fishing gear is never an add-on. I compensate by not taking something else, usually less food. If I do not catch fish, I just have to be a bit hungry. So I prefer to have at least a good chance of catching a few fish if I take the gear.

Everyone is different. For me, I really need a small pack because I am a small person! I already look like a Sherpa when I carry a 50 L pack. I would look like an ant carrying a huge bread crumb if I were to carry a 80 L pack! If you are a big guy, then you are lucky that you have more choices of pack sizes that would work.

I found the following "experiment" quite useful. I used to carry much bigger packs. Then, I decided to try to do an 8-day trip with my 35 L Arcterex Kahmsin, which was my climbing day-pack. South Lake to Dusy and then follow Sierra High Route to Lakes Basin, out Cartridge Pass, over lakes below Striped Mtn and out Taboose Pass. I even got stuck in a few storms. It worked but was just a little too minimal for my ideal. But I really needed that experience to gain perspective on what is possible. I do confess to not taking a bear can, which was illegal for the first day out. I actually hid behind trees that first day if I saw someone coming down the trail. Even if you do not plan to go UL in the long run, knowing that you can go UL builds confidence.

[rlown]

A very nice perspective WD, sans bear can.. BTW, my pan is 1lb, 3 oz. I know, Markskor's is less, but it works.