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25 Mi Hike next weekend: My loadout
Rack Ops
Member Posts: 18,596 ✭✭✭
I know there are a few hikers and backpackers on here, so I thought I would share what I normally hike with and a few things I've learned.
I don't bother with a tent anymore. I use a hammock (the 3 large gray sacks are my hammock and 2 down quilts). Sleeping on the ground limits campsite selection (unless hiking in desert or above treeline) and believe me, it's a hell of a lot easier to walk all day when you didn't spend the night before sleeping on top of a tree root or big * rock.
I used to overpack on food and water. This particular hike is pretty dry. 10 miles to the first creek I can refill bottles in, then 15 miles to the town I am hiking to, with water not being available until the last mile. 4 1 liter water bottles will carry me. 2 will start off empty. All will be filled at the 10 mile point, as I will be camping not far from there.
Food is honey roasted peanuts, jerky, raisins, and Gatorade powder. Carbs, sugar, protein. No cookware. It's wasted weight when you don't need a hot meal or drink. You don't need nearly as much food as you think you do....there's a reason our bodies carry fat reserves.
Foot care is paramount: With 2 extra pairs of socks, moleskin, and foot powder, I am carrying almost as much stuff to take care of my feet as I am food. Also, stop thinking you need to wear heavy * hiking boots. Ankle support is overrated. If you aren't carrying 50 lbs, you're not going to turn an ankle every time you go down a hill.
The ability to self rescue is also important. I probably overpack here. I carry a laminated paper map, a compass, my cell phone, and a satellite messenger that will allow me to get out a distress signal if I need to.
I don't bother with a tent anymore. I use a hammock (the 3 large gray sacks are my hammock and 2 down quilts). Sleeping on the ground limits campsite selection (unless hiking in desert or above treeline) and believe me, it's a hell of a lot easier to walk all day when you didn't spend the night before sleeping on top of a tree root or big * rock.
I used to overpack on food and water. This particular hike is pretty dry. 10 miles to the first creek I can refill bottles in, then 15 miles to the town I am hiking to, with water not being available until the last mile. 4 1 liter water bottles will carry me. 2 will start off empty. All will be filled at the 10 mile point, as I will be camping not far from there.
Food is honey roasted peanuts, jerky, raisins, and Gatorade powder. Carbs, sugar, protein. No cookware. It's wasted weight when you don't need a hot meal or drink. You don't need nearly as much food as you think you do....there's a reason our bodies carry fat reserves.
Foot care is paramount: With 2 extra pairs of socks, moleskin, and foot powder, I am carrying almost as much stuff to take care of my feet as I am food. Also, stop thinking you need to wear heavy * hiking boots. Ankle support is overrated. If you aren't carrying 50 lbs, you're not going to turn an ankle every time you go down a hill.
The ability to self rescue is also important. I probably overpack here. I carry a laminated paper map, a compass, my cell phone, and a satellite messenger that will allow me to get out a distress signal if I need to.
Comments
Without 'em you ain't going too far.
Nice pack out... I'm envious.
Back in the day, I did my share of hiking.
Now... It's just a dream with memories.
I like sleeping in a hammock too. I learned the jungle hammock when i was stationed in Panama. Light and works great even in bad rain storms.
I like a poncho liner vs down. They dry out fast and keep you warm when wet.
I would add a t-shirt. Nothing like changing out of a sweaty t-shirt after a long hike.
I agree on food but I like a good meal so I would add some canned meat like spam and some crackers
A tooth brush and tooth past. That is one thing that feels so good in the field.
Don't for forget TP
Have fun.
Nice set up.
I like sleeping in a hammock too. I learned the jungle hammock when i was stationed in Panama. Light and works great even in bad rain storms.
I like a poncho liner vs down. They dry out fast and keep you warm when wet.
I do have two poncho liners that I use in the middle of the summer. One thing I realized quickly with hammocks is that they are COLD, even when hot out. It can be 70 degrees and I still need something to cover up with.
As to synthetic vs down: everything is packed in a garbage bag to keep water out. It hasn't failed me yet
quote:
I would add a t-shirt. Nothing like changing out of a sweaty t-shirt after a long hike.
Agreed, one is in my spare clothing bag (the maroon bag). It has a clean shirt, 1 pair of underwear, and 2 pairs of socks
quote:
I agree on food but I like a good meal so I would add some canned meat like spam and some crackers
You lost me at "good meal" and "spam". [:)]
Jerky packs lighter than spam, and is much better tasting, IMO.
quote:
A tooth brush and tooth past. That is one thing that feels so good in the field.
Agreed. I have a travelers toothbrush (the kind that stores in it's own plastic tube and small tube of toothpaste. With all the sugar I normally carry....can't have my teeth rotting
quote:
Don't for forget TP
I didn't, it's on the bottom left of the pic [;)]
I like beef jerky too but I like to make my own, the store bought stuff has an "off" taste to me. I think its the preservatives or something.
When we went to the field I liked MCD's napkins as a sub for a roll of tp.
my wife and I love to hike. ten miles is the most we have ever done at once tho. and she is the queen of over packing.
Aren't they all!?
where's the picture of your gun and ammo??
Nice.
where's the picture of your gun and ammo??
That was my next [?]
What is your carry piece?
quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
Nice.
where's the picture of your gun and ammo??
That was my next [?]
What is your carry piece?
There is no carry piece.
I have a colt mustang that I have carried on occasion, but I don't hike with it any more.
I averaged over 50 nights out per year for 8 yrs running.
A 16.2# load out is very impressive.
I carry a tent, I do not care for hammocks.
Usually a 2.5# Mtn. Hardware Waypoint, or an MSR Missing Link.
I'm curious what pack you are using, if you care to share.
Instant hot chocolate, instant oatmeal, sierra cup. Have been caught in the cold and something warm goes a long way. No stove, couple of trioxane heat tabs.
Katydn water filter. Small bottle of bourbon in case of snakebite. Also a small snake.
I like to hike close to an O'Charleys or Smokey Bones and preferably a Hilton or something like it.
I outfitted people for a living for apprx 25 years.
I averaged over 50 nights out per year for 8 yrs running.
A 16.2# load out is very impressive.
I carry a tent, I do not care for hammocks.
Usually a 2.5# Mtn. Hardware Waypoint, or an MSR Missing Link.
I'm curious what pack you are using, if you care to share.
ULA Circuit.
It's honestly more pack than I need, but it's handy when I take my boy camping and I have to haul all of his crap too
Rack, what kind of footwear?
Oboz Scapegoat is what I use....but any lightweight, well vented running shoe gets my stamp of approval.
Also, merino wool socks.
When I was in the forest service I used to just lay out under the stars in my bag. I like more comfort than that. [:)]
I just can't sleep in a hammock, and it's really only warm enough to use one where I hike from late July to early August anyway. I hear underquilts can solve that I guess. Just seems to me I'd be taking roughly the same amount/weight gear.
I was considering going no stove for my next hike, next month, but I will probably take one for the sake of my daughter.
What are you using for water filtration/treatment? Tablets? Platypus gravity system?
I'm under 35 lbs with my bear spray, bear bin, and 44 mag. I feel like that's pretty good for me. I've certainly gone lower and most definitely gone heavier. I have a Kelty pack that carries 65 lbs like my Go Lite does 35.
By the way, I think you have a very nice setup. [:)]
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
I wouldn't carry a tent either, but I don't like fighting off skeeters while trying to sleep
That's why they make bugnets, brother
quote:
I just can't sleep in a hammock, and it's really only warm enough to use one where I hike from late July to early August anyway. I hear underquilts can solve that I guess. Just seems to me I'd be taking roughly the same amount/weight gear.
Underquilts do solve the problem. I've had my hammock slung in temps as cold as the high twenties. My quilts are both rated for 30. I was a little cold, and probably pushing my limits on that. I put two "Hot Hands" hand warmers in my socks, as my feet are bad for getting cold at night.
If you are doing ultralight....the weight differences are pretty negligible...but you certainly can do it much cheaper in a tent than you can in a hammock.
I've got about $700 just in my quilts.....plus another $300 for the hammock, net, guylines, and tarp.
When I was doing it in a tent, I had about $400 in my whole setup...tent, mat, sleeping bag, sleeping pad.
quote:
What are you using for water filtration/treatment? Tablets? Platypus gravity system?
I've tried every method you have mentioned, and I've finally settled on a Sawyer Squeeze. Since I carry Smartwater bottles, the filter screws right down on the threads. Put dirty water in...screw the filter on, and drink as you go.
quote:
I'm under 35 lbs with my bear spray, bear bin, and 44 mag. I feel like that's pretty good for me. I've certainly gone lower and most definitely gone heavier. I have a Kelty pack that carries 65 lbs like my Go Lite does 35.
If you are carrying all of that and still weighing in under 35, you are doing quite well....tip of the hat to you.
quote:Originally posted by Mr. Perfect
I wouldn't carry a tent either, but I don't like fighting off skeeters while trying to sleep
That's why they make bugnets, brother
quote:
I just can't sleep in a hammock, and it's really only warm enough to use one where I hike from late July to early August anyway. I hear underquilts can solve that I guess. Just seems to me I'd be taking roughly the same amount/weight gear.
Underquilts do solve the problem. I've had my hammock slung in temps as cold as the high twenties. My quilts are both rated for 30. I was a little cold, and probably pushing my limits on that. I put two "Hot Hands" hand warmers in my socks, as my feet are bad for getting cold at night.
If you are doing ultralight....the weight differences are pretty negligible...but you certainly can do it much cheaper in a tent than you can in a hammock.
I've got about $700 just in my quilts.....plus another $300 for the hammock, net, guylines, and tarp.
When I was doing it in a tent, I had about $400 in my whole setup...tent, mat, sleeping bag, sleeping pad.
quote:
What are you using for water filtration/treatment? Tablets? Platypus gravity system?
I've tried every method you have mentioned, and I've finally settled on a Sawyer Squeeze. Since I carry Smartwater bottles, the filter screws right down on the threads. Put dirty water in...screw the filter on, and drink as you go.
quote:
I'm under 35 lbs with my bear spray, bear bin, and 44 mag. I feel like that's pretty good for me. I've certainly gone lower and most definitely gone heavier. I have a Kelty pack that carries 65 lbs like my Go Lite does 35.
If you are carrying all of that and still weighing in under 35, you are doing quite well....tip of the hat to you.
Thanks! I just rechecked, without food and water my gear weight is just under 25lbs. That is just the gear weight (including the bear bin and things I mentioned). I'm under 20 without the pistol.[:I] That includes a 2man tent![:D] Oh, and I got a sea to summit pillow that I love.[:D][:D] I have looked at the inline version of the Sawyer that I can put right onto the hose of my platypus and will probably get that in the near future.
I could drop 3 lbs with a one man tent. but it looks like it will be about a wash when I have to get a new pack.[:(]
I might just have to get my bivy working. It's made from heavy duty tyvek. I over sized it to put my pack in with me.
Gear of note:
Garcia bear bin
Penny alcohol stove
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium
Kelty Gunnison 2 (the original)
Steripen
2L Platypus hydration bladder and 1 32oz bottle with steripen pre-filter
Big Agnes mummy pad (25x72x3.25")
North Face Blue Kazoo (still haven't gotten a summer bag)
Walmart grease pot
Sierra cup.
4" fixed blade knife
Leatherman
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain