[jyl]

3 day camp in rugged country

backpack 45-50 lbs this is w/ 1980s era technology and one person carrying everything incl tent. Maybe a little bit lighter w/ the latest gear. Also lighter if sharing load w/ others.

water depends on heat but in not-real-hot weather, 2 qts/day is minimal. That will cook the freeze-dried food and give you just enough to drink. Not to "wash" - washing will be scraping pots clean and the occasional moistened towlette. Since only 3 day camp, take extra, and use trip to figure out your own water needs.

Edit - geez, I read the thread and see others are saying 2 gallons of water per day per person! That is way more than minimal needs, in my backpacking experience anyway. Unless you're sweating a river in 100F heat. (Go look up medical recommendations for how much water a human should drink, and realize those are already excessive.) And way more than you can carry, 8.6 lbs x 2 x 3 = 52 lbs of just water.

If you are nervous about it, I say, hydrate a lot in the days before the trip, then bring 3 qts/day per day per person, and figure out how much you personally need. And no "washing", for heaven's sake.