Re: What does your pack weigh?
Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:27 am
I don't see it as a pissing contest... it is what it is whether you are heavy or light.
Just got back from hiking with a newbie who, quite possibly, would be better off with no backpack at all. Loaded him with my gear - yes, I have enough to outfit another person! - to about 25 lbs. I took the heavier gear on my back, the twice-as-heavy tent and the kitchen items and filter... He still struggled and actually fell down at one point. The total distance for the day? Three miles, no real gain.
If you can carry a bunch, carry it if you want to, don't see comments "you can go lighter" as anything but a reflection of that person's experience and/or preferences in action - which is just how I see it when you brag about that 50 lb pack you're proud of carrying. It seems like a silly thing to me to be proud of after my last visit to the chiropractor, but I'm sure you think it's cool, and that's all that matters. Your back, your business. If you can't carry the monster load, and you lack the desire to figure out what you need to backpack and make it work out for you, hmmm, guess you'd be a better car camper. Which is pretty much how the newbie saw it. Don't believe he will be coming with me again.
Just got back from hiking with a newbie who, quite possibly, would be better off with no backpack at all. Loaded him with my gear - yes, I have enough to outfit another person! - to about 25 lbs. I took the heavier gear on my back, the twice-as-heavy tent and the kitchen items and filter... He still struggled and actually fell down at one point. The total distance for the day? Three miles, no real gain.
If you can carry a bunch, carry it if you want to, don't see comments "you can go lighter" as anything but a reflection of that person's experience and/or preferences in action - which is just how I see it when you brag about that 50 lb pack you're proud of carrying. It seems like a silly thing to me to be proud of after my last visit to the chiropractor, but I'm sure you think it's cool, and that's all that matters. Your back, your business. If you can't carry the monster load, and you lack the desire to figure out what you need to backpack and make it work out for you, hmmm, guess you'd be a better car camper. Which is pretty much how the newbie saw it. Don't believe he will be coming with me again.