You should be able to pack 5 days in temperate climates in under 30lbs total weight, not including water.
This 30lbs figure includes a 1 man tent, +30 sleeping bag, food, filter, medkit, et al.
You can easily get it under 30lbs if you are willing to skimp on a few things, but the magic number for 3-4 days is likely around 30lbs. ymmv of course.
A sample gear list of mine for 5 days looks like this:
Shelter X REI Passage 1 Tent (4lb Complete)
X Sleeping Pad (ALPS ULtralight Closed Cell) (.4lbs)
X 65ft Cordage (550 III)
X Aluminum Stakes (8)
X ALPS Diamondback +30 (Sleeping bag) (3.2lbs)
Food - Ramen
- Tortillas
- PB
- Rice
- Beans
- Hot Sauce
- Tuna/Chicken (pouched)
- Salt/Pepper
- Oatmeal
- Instant Coffee
- Chocolate
- Drink Powder
- GORP/Snacks/Jerky
Prep: Pot (GSI Halite Kettle) (11oz total w/mug/spork)
Stove (Snow-Peak GigaPower) (2.5oz)
Fuel (Isopro) (15oz)
Bear Bag
Gear X Bag (North Face Terra 65) (REI Passage 40 for mild weather)
X Knife (SAK Soldier)
X Boots (Montrail AT Plus)
X Rain Gear (TAD Stealth Hoodie, doubles as mid-weight cold weather gear)
- FAK:
- Moleskine
- Duct Tape
- Band-Aids
- Iodine Swabs
- Ibprofen
- Tweezers
- Bug Dope
- Sunblock
- Vasaline
- TP
- Microfiber Towel
_ Toothbrush/Paste
X Water Filter (Katadyn Hiker)
X 2l Water storage (Nalgene WM) (add +3l Camelbak for hot-weather/desert)
X Lighters + Tinder
X Watch (Seiko SNK805 Automatic)
X GPS + set of extra AA Batt
X Headlamp + Set of extra AAA Batt
X Map(s)
X Compass(small)
X Sunglasses
X Shemagh
X Microfiber Towel
Clothes X North Face Horizon Cargo pant
X City Sports Synthetic shirt.
X 2x synthetic compression shorts (underwear)
X 2x Merino Wool Hiking Socks
X 1x wool camp sock
X Summer Weight underarmor compression
X Columbia Titanium 1/2 zip Fleece
The total weight including pack is around 28lbs, add about 2lbs per extra day out.
