High Sierra Topix

7 lbs?? ouch. even my old kelty external frame weighs less. I had to look it up, but geez, 7 lbs..

Yeah, I hear ya. It makes me come up with new and creative ways to cut weight. I still average about 40lbs. on a 6/7 day gig. I just haven't been able to leave my ipod at home yet. Something about listening to Will Ackerman in the back country that makes it for me.

hmm.. the iPod isn't your problem. Nice your pack weight is still low, given your base weight. Are you really asking if you should seek something lighter, or get confirmation that it's ok to carry 7 lbs of dead weight on your back as a starting point?

I was just wondering if anyone else is using one? When I bought mine the trend? or so it seemed was to go with these type of packs. I have seen alot of them over the years as well as older Dana's. They all seem to be in the same ball park range of weight. I have noticed a lot of people going for the ultra-light packs and they don't seem to last to long. Seams and such don't hold up. When I look at what I paid and how long it has lasted it helps me get over the weight issue.

I had an old Dana Astralplane which was still in great condition before
being stolen, darn.
They were heavy compared to today's packs, but they were made to last.
The stitching was great, the pack material was 1000d cordura which you
cannot ripe even if you tried.
The suspension system was an ArcFlex system that could carry 80 lbs and make
it feel a lot lighter, now that's good suspensions.
Solid graphite stays, ultra comfy hip belt, and all made in Montana, USA!
If the pack yo have stills feels comfy, rides like a feather, and your back is
not aching after backpacking trips then go on using it.

Maverick, great packs will sometimes grow legs and walk off. Having yours stolen is a major crime. My 2nd oldest son who is a SGT. in the Marines is still using his Terra Plane "Overkill". I think that pack would survive a nuclear blast!

SGT in the USMC, where is he stationed now?
I was in for 6 years back in the 80's, stationed in Okinawa, Hiroshima, Camp Pendleton
Camp Lejeune, and was a SGT when I got out.

He is stationed down at Camp Pendleton. My youngest is a Corpman and is out at 29 Palms. My oldest is a Capt. in the Army and is currently in Iraq on his first deployment.. The Sgt did 3 tours in Iraq. The Corpman did Iraq and just finished a year in Afghanistan.

I went to 29 Palms for 1 month, and cannot say I really liked the place, though if
I had been stationed there permanently at least I would have been close to
Joshua Tree.