backpacking question..two of them.
 

what is the average weight of a backpack load going up some rugged country? 60lbs?

3 day camp, how much water do you suppose a person needs once we are up on top of this mountain? 2-gallons per day? cooking, drinking.. minor washing.

thanks,.

Using freeze-dried food? If so with two gallons per day, you can probably get by with the weight of the water at 8.6 lbs. per gallon plus about 10-15 lbs. per person for tent and sleeping bag if you have lightweight stuff.

Remember, if it's more than one person, you can share the different parts of the tent... fly, poles, stakes, etc.

I think you want to invite him camping.

Saves you from carrying him into the woods in the back pack.

Don't dig the hole so deep and you won't need to spend 3 days out there.

Just my 2 cents.

Get a water purifier and some crystal light. Weight depends on what you consider to be necessities.

Where are you going?

And remember, you're going to need his name to put on the headstone.

ok, more info.

we need to get to the top of this mountian...super secret spot for archery stuff. zero water up there for humans. we want to blast up there, and bring water. two guys, backpack just the water and drop it off. then go back for the rest of the camp equipment. then crush the water bladders and pack everything out. two trips to build a drop camp of sorts. looking at the topos, it will be hell.

roflmao!!!!!!

It depends.

60 pounds used to be a normal\heavy load a few years ago but with newer lightweight gear the norm is closer to 30 for warm weather.

Water depends a lot on the climate and availability around you. If it is arid and there are no viable water sources close by you then need to look at the planned activities or miles covered and go from there. Where I live natural water sources are all over so I just had to pack a good filter and a container. Any fluids I bothered to pack were far more potent than water!

I carried about 50 but that was refilling water every day sometimes several times. Yes put all tent in one pack. Stakes and poles in the other. Remember that the more you spend on gear the lighter it gets. I would invest about 70 to 80 in either a first need or katadyn water filter. I have been on one long trek(~2wks) and several weekenders so if ya have any ?s hit me up.

i have that first need water purifyer. i dont think there is much water up there at all. i mean the deer have to be drinking something to be growing so huge (hint). i need to download google earth...

Vash, when we go out for 3-5 days in AK,, typically without water ( we have filter/pumps), we're carrying 70 lbs.. I suggest pre-frying bacon and chicken for a couple nights,, we take bagels and salami sticks and cheese ( good high fat foot, freeze dried has next to no calories so we add the chicken) Also take instant oatmeal for breakfast.. a plastic coffee press for coffee ( I hate instant) and crystal light for the vodka..
OH and one other thing,, it's cool to sneak a couple of beers into your buddies pack so when you finally get where you're going, you can pull them out and share a laugh that he carried two cold ones all that way to enjoy !!

Like Burnin' says bring Crystal Light, it gives you an alternative to just plain water. I met this guy on the John Muir Trail, he packs about 20lbs for a 2 week trip. He told me the majority of your nutrition is your body fat, plan to lose a pound a day. As an example, his breakfast consists of 3 pieces of jerky, 28 M&M's (1oz) and 3 chocolate covered espresso beans. Everything is measured out in daily meals in ziplocks. His name is "Purple Hat"

http://www.highsierrawildernessfitness.com/

If there is a water source that filter will do the trick. Might take some Micro pur tablets in the event you find really clear flowing water.

Heck, you're good for a week.

I'm comfortable on flat ground carrying over 80# in a good pack with everything distributed well. I'm comfortable with 50-60# for days on end over tough terrain. It all depends on your packs and the route. If your main goal is just to get stuff there and it isn't too long of a hike or too tough of on then take as much as you can get the pack to hold.

If this is a place you plan on returning to think of building a rainwater collection/holding setup. Then you just have to pack in you filter in the future.

What, do you guys bring a TV and couch? I've been on 5 day hikes with a day pack!

I am a bit of a minimalist, though...

My backpacking rig for spring through fall is about 27-28 lbs with food and fuel for 5 days and 2 liters of water.

In my former life as a professional mountaineering guide, my pack (which had the additions of an extra rope, an emergency bivy sack and the full medical kit) was just over 50 lbs.

As a rule of thumb, you're going to be pretty unhappy carrying more than 1/3 of your body weight. You guys referencing 80lb packs are masochists.

Packing in all of the water you're going to use will suck... find a water source and use a pump or iodine (some use bleach). Can you do some mule packing as an alternative? You're going to need at least 2 gallons of fluid per person per day. 3 days X 2 guys X 2 gallons = about 100 lbs of water.

hey, beer weighs a lot!

i'll second that
1/3 body weight is a comfortable limit, for backpacking a lot less if just for a few days. basics stay the same depending on the time of year. clothes, tent, s-bag/pad, stove, etc. fuel and food quatntities are all that will change on the length of trip. couple of liters in the pack while moving. stopping for lunch good time to reload stop at lake/stream and filter more. what fluids you need to cook for diner should be located close to camp and use a quality filter. but boiling will take care of most problem critters. many packs these days have a bladder pocket that will take up tow 3liters. plenty for everything but cooking.

light weight fly fishing gear a must in summer. fresh fish awsome calorie/protien bonus and no added weight to carry.

only once did i approach 60lbs for a week and that was due to going with a few beginers and wanted to make sure we were supplied with a couple of exta ecentials they might forget. average weekend trip under 40lbs now.

dog carries his own kibble, and will drink at every stream and mud puddle we cross:eek: bring colapsable food dishes, but he never bothers using the water bowl?

hard liquor lighter;)