3 day 18lb pack

When I was a kid and hiking around the wood of the west coast of Newfoundland, weight was always an issue. Back then, money and knowledge led me down a path of heavy packs. I put luxury and unneeded redundancy ahead of my general comfort. over the past 5 years or so I have really shifted my priorities. Comfort on the trial has superseded ultimate luxury in camp. Part of this may be due to the fact that my hikes have gotten longer and I rather enjoy seeing what I can do without while on the trail. Simplifying my life. A nice change from the corporate IT world I dwell in on a daily basis. When I got into hiking, a full pack weight of 30-35lbs was fine. Finding a pack with a sturdy suspension was key. Learning to hoist the monster up on my shoulders without pulling a back muscle was the only skill needed. Well that and treating blisters all over my feet. Shoulder sores and aches, back issues, knee pains. A constant worry about snapping an ankle on a rock.
When I got into a better financial situation and it was time to redo my gear list, since I left it all back in Canada when I moved to the US, I took some time to read up on the latest and greatest. the big shift over the last 15 or so years is the technology of weight reduction. Some of the gear I was using has now been reduced by multiple pounds. Example: My Kelty Coyote weighed in at 5 1/2 pounds. I now have a Granit Gear Nimbus Ozone that is just as comfortable loaded and weighs 3 1/2 lbs. This is not an extreme example as I maintained my weight carrying capabilities and comfort level. But that’s a whole two pounds gone before I even add one item to my pack.

One of the best things I have done recently is create a spread sheet of my gear and bought a postal scale and weight everything. This one thing alone has done more for lowering the weight of my pack than any purchase. It helped me see where the extra weight was coming from. Where I needed to spend my next dollar at and what I really needed when I was in the field.

My Gear List (changes constantly)

Granit Gear Nimbus Ozone

I was relatively light last year (2010) at 26 Lbs 13 oz. with food and water. This weight also includes some upgrades and extras since I am hiking with my 10 year old son. My pack weight this year was 18 lbs 1 oz. Now, some of that was due to the fact it was colder on the last trip. But the total difference in what I would have to take was maybe 2 lbs. A Fleece shirt, thermals and my down vest.

My hike this year was amazing. Hiking with a lighter pack has made the trip a completely different experience. I do not for one minute feel I have made any sacrifice in my comfort. In fact, I feel much better in the mornings now because I didn’t kill myself on the hike the day before.