My 3 day pack weighs averages 20-25kg. This is mostly because of the amount of food and water I must carry because I eat and drink like a goddamn horse. When I get a water filter, this will be about 3kg lighter.
Pre-food and water weight is usually 12-15kg.
I do have some extras, but I can haul this load around comfortably so I do it. You will gradually find how much you can comfortably carry.
>>436022This guy knows.
No environment is the same. No situation is the same. I always have the heaviest pack, sometimes 2-3 times the lightest in the group.
But you know who ends up patching someone up, dosing them with meds and keeping them from misery? Me. Because I am the only one who packs a comprehensive med kit. At a little over 500g, it is a small price. 9/10 hikes it doesn't gets used, but when it does, everyone is damn glad it is there.
You know who never runs out of food and water, and keeps the group fed if shit conditions trap us for an extra night? Your's truly.
You know who can illumminate half the bloody mountain when the fog rolls in, the sun is down, and you are still hunting for a safe place to camp because one of the guys sprained an ankle stranding everyone for another night?
That's right. Not the guy with the tiny energiser head torch. Me with a compact, but weighty tm 26 coming in at 1kg.
The payoffs? Serious respect from fellow hikers. The feeling of satisfaction when mountain rescue doesn't need a call, because you packed in a little extra gear. The feeling when you don't give a fuck you get stranded, because you packed for 3 days for an overnighter, a week for a 3 day trip.
Not everyone can do this, but I am a firm believer in packing as much as you can comfortably and safely.
I'm 6'3, with a strong back and legs. I can carry more comfortably than one of the guys light built at 5'6, or the fellow with mild athsma. So I do. And that way we all get to enjoy the outdoors in good company, comfort, and minimal risk.
