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May 13, 2005
backpacking
going backpacking this weekend, just barely. the hike to campsite is 1.5-1.75 miles. it's my first time so i picked an easy one -- in fact, i sorta stumbled across this, i was just planning to car camp again.
my packed bag weighed about 65lbs. there is no potable water at the campsite (finally picked a more "rugged" spot, although to be fair the site reportedly has a payphone :) so I was lugging 2 x 1liter nalgenes, 1 x 2liter camelbak + 1gal crystal geyser. The latter weighed about 10lbs. I removed it from my bag and replaced it with a 14oz water filter that I got just yesterday. down to about 55lbs.
that's way way way too much for a simple over nighter. the problem may be my backpack: it's a surplus A.L.I.C.E. pack, large size. probably weighs 7-10lbs all by itself. I need to weigh it when I get back...
Add in 6lbs of REI half-dome2 tent, 3lbs of Cat's Meow Long sleeping bag, 8lbs of water, 2.5lbs of bear vault, maybe 5lbs of kitchen gear, 4lbs of towel, spare shirt, fleece, raingear... um, that's... 35lbs or so. i'm missing 20lbs somehow... food, 5lbs. first aid, flashlights, candle lantern, 4lbs. toiletries 2lbs. still missing 10lbs. i'll figure it out next trip :)
it may be fruitful to transfer some of this stuff (assuming i can't be rid of it) to a belt-mounted carry system. i.e. water, rain-gear, flashlight.
i took a big, heavy, 2-D battery flashlight. that's adding lots of weight but I'm not comfy enough to go without a bright light yet and my lightweight flashlights are kinda dim.
but for 1.5mi, it really doesn't matter. it's gonna be relatively easy anyhow.
oh, my zass turkish coffee grinder probably adds 3lbs, but I can't live without it :)