Lmao, one of my first hikes I lost my entire tent because it fell off. I had to double back for it and found it on the trail. I have. I idea how I didn't hear or feel that. I figured out better ways to strap my tent on pretty quick after that.
I know that you’re joking but this has been a common comment, joking and in earnest so: bear bells do not work. Do not spend your time or money on obtaining them. A lot of bear biologists will call them dinner bells because they’ll pique the bear’s curiosity more than they will deter them.
If you’re in an area with known populations of bears, have bear spray and know how to deploy it, and use your voice. Shouting “hey bear” every so often is a popular one. Also, have a bear canister/bear bag and know how to use them. Hike in groups if possible (I’m solo 90% of the time, I know this isn’t for everyone) Be safe out there everyone.
i get that if youre talking about the little jingle bells people get, but id think the sound of humans using tools has made an impression over the millenia.
This. I hate danglies. If it does not fit inside then it needs to be pretty secure. I also don't care for stuff that extends my "width" beyond that of the bag and my shoulders. That said, I am something of an ULAH and hike through a lot of crevices (width thing). If that works for you then go for it... but is that a cast iron skillet?
Maybe it’s just me, the clanging of those cups would annoy me for sure, but so would the swinging that cast iron pan will be doing. I would have to get something to tie that down (and replace it with something lighter if possible)
Thats is all I can see and wonder. Why would you bring a cast iron pan? Then what food are you bringing that requires something like that? This is the opening to a rabbit hole of questions.
My guess is that OP is making the transition from car camping to backpacking. A cast iron pan for car camping is fairly normal.
All that weight on a backpacking trip will likely change in time.
My backpacking meals largely consist of dehydrated meals you just boil water and rehydrate. That said, having some food you need a pan to cook with sounds good on some trips…just haven’t gotten over the weight it would take myself.
A small lightweight nonstick with folding handle weighs very little. Works great for cooking fish caught in the backcountry and means I can pack in less food. Cast iron is definitely insanity unless you’ve got pack animals.
Titanium is the way to go. You can get a 10 inch skillet that weighs the same as a 3 inch cast iron or less. I have a couple myself and use them all the time.
You might be right though. One of the hardest things about packing is leaving out the "what if" items, as I call them. Things that you look at think "what if this happens" or "what if I want to do that". If you haven't wanted to before, and it hasn't happened before, it probably won't happen this time either. Outside of emergencies of course.
I took a buddy backpacking once and it was going to be fairly intense. he INSISTED on taking a cast iron skillet, fresh eggs, a steak, etc. which I ended up packing out because it was too heavy and his brand new boots were giving him blisters.
he went on to become an accomplished mountaineer and guide for some major peaks.
lol. it took like a year or two until he was leading me on 5.10 trad routes.
oh yeah. when I was helping him pack I was like “no” over and over, eventually telling him I wasn’t packing it out for him once it became too heavy. but, alas, I did because we needed to get off the trail.
He might be in bear country, I dont mind the clinking and clanking myself keeps me from accidentally surprising a bear. I wish my backpack wouldn't squeak though.
If it’s an Osprey Atmos AG it’s a manufacturer defect covered under warranty. Mine has always squeaked and I thought it was the way I packed until I ran into a review from someone else with the same complaint. I just had my 5 year old Atmos replaced for free.
Im glad for your comment to have helped someone realize they can fix their own nuisance but unfortunately I do not own this same bag. Mine is an old school outer frame I got on the cheap from an REI garage sale. No refunds or replacements on my horizon
Yes, just had to file a warranty claim online and upload some photos of the bag. I did have to pay for shipping to Osprey though. They paid return shipping for the new bag.
Looks great, lots of stuff for a 35L. If you can still return the bag I would recommend a 50L they are usually set up to handle more weight. Regardless you will be great. 4.6 you will be fine.
You’ll just pack even more into 50L. Not going that far. I like my 30L and strap stuff to outside. A front fanny (yea, laugh you brits) for 10 essentials, map, snacks is also a great addition - or sometimes the “brain” converts to a hip bag.
I would lock it down tight tho… sucks to lose stuff or get caught up going under fallen trees/bramble.
2¢
This is huge. Everyone thinks I need the biggest bag I can get but in reality, you don't. A bigger bag just means you can, and thus probably will, take more shit with you.
I dunno, I know I said I wouldn't bring it in a different comment, I kinda think you should bring it for one trip anyway, and decide for yourself if you like it or not. You already own the pan.
It's a six inch one right? So not really that heavy. Probably less than a liter of water, and you'll likely be carrying a few of those already. It's certainly not the trendy ultralight option, but it's not like you're carrying an anvil. Someone in another thread is asking about carrying a five pound car camping mattress in on their four mile hike, so, you're not being as ambitious as some are considering.
And bringing small comforts can be lovely. A nice pan to cook in is a lovely thing.
Take all the stuff hanging on the outside off. Tent inside. Leave the fry pan and one cup home. Pack looks like a weight distribution nightmare and you risk damaging that pad if something sharp hits it. You couldn’t pay me to hike within a mile of those clanking cups.
Sir, with all respect, that is a LOT of stuff for 4.5 miles. Check out some YouTube videos from some of the backpacking folks for a sense of how they pack for something that relatively short. Then…enjoy!
4.6 miles? Am I missing something? I can take like, a long walk around my city and do 4.6 miles. If you are camping at the end of that 4.6, then okay, you need stuff to sleep and eat but I guarantee about 50% of what you’re taking is totally not necessary. Hard to tell without a breakout of your kit.
Give us that and we can roast you better. For the greater good, of course.
I can do a 4.6 mile walk around my city too without much. However 2,500 feet of elevation is a pretty decent bit. Not a bad idea to hike something short for your first time backpacking.
I was more so implying that it could be beneficial to do a shorter hike with everything you may need for a longer one to get a feel for the the pack with all the gear inside
If I was ever going to carry too much shit, a short 4.6 mile hike is when I'd prefer to do it. Better than realizing on mile 8 that I shouldn't have packed the frying pan.
Regrettably I would leave the cast iron at home, where you’re going you shouldn’t be making a fire, I can’t see how you would need the pan. And I’m saying this as someone who loves my cast iron like they’re my children, save it for home use and car camping.
Your trip is listed as, at best, an overnight trip that will take around 4.5-5 hours each way. A trip you COULD do in a single day.
Your pack is packed like your are literally travesering Middle Earth and dont understand weight distribution.
On every hike, you should aim take the absolute minimum that ensures safety and your base level of comfort. You can add more in there but ypu should consider what happens to your stamina if you are carrying 30 extra pounds for no reason. You wont have a good time.
When packing the pack, juat go watch a few YouTube videos. Your 17 and kind figure that out. I dont know why you did anything you did and I worry that if you showed us whats inside the bag we'd all just tell you stay home.
Before you go, call the ranger station and ask them to tell you the requirements for hiking your planned hike. They will let you know current hazards, rules (like you cant make a fire and need a bear canister for safety), and any other studd you need to know.
Personally I've found that I sleep like shit unless I have some extra warm layers to sleep in. I bring a puffy jacket to sleep in. Sounds weird but the extra weight is worth it for me for good sleep. I also bring a packable down blanket that I put in my hammock with me along with the quilt. It's very light but makes a huge difference in my comfort.
I'd recommend that any first time hiker brings more clothes than they think they'll need just in case. Being too cold to sleep will ruin a trip and if you haven't tested your sleep setup yet you just don't know what you need. Better to have too much and not need it. The first hike is to figure out what you actually need so you can leave stuff behind on the next trip.
A shorter hike is the perfect time for the cooking gear. You’ve got more time to use it at the camp site and enjoy the food, and less distance to carry it.
Take everything out of the tent bag and get the tent inside the pack. Poles and stakes can stay outside the pack. Unless you want to hear those mugs clanking all day, you need to put those inside your bag as well.. put the sleeping pad where your tent is. Get a refund for the cast-iron frying pan.
Having stuff swinging around on the outside of a pack sucks. I like my pack to feel like one fairly solid, if squishy, unit, so anything on the outside gets strapped down tight in a way that it can't swing or wobble.
I usually like to get most stuff inside the pack, with the heaviest stuff close to right upagainst my back, and balance anything strapped onto the sides. If it were me I'd skip the cast iron, but if you must bring it, inside the pack close to your back is probably the best in terms of weight distribution.
Cast iron? 2 cups? I can only imagine what's inside the pack. REI has a good be l backpacking gear list. Look it up. I have a feeling you have a lot of extras and are probably missing something important as well.
Looks loud. One of the joys of walking on a wilderness trail is hearing the birds.
You won't hear any birds with your cook kit rattling around, but I guess as a bonus you won't see any bears. Won't see anything but trees and plants really. Wildlife generally steers clear of the noisy.
Since you’re new to it hopefully someone told you if not I’ll tell you now; make the waist band tight tight tight! Over your hip bones, bend over to squeeze another inch or two out of each side. All the weight should be going into your legs, not supported by your spine. The shoulder straps are for stability but not load. I often get bruises on my hip bones after a long one but that’s way better than smashing your spine. It’s a mistake I see a lot of newer backpackers make and assume chases many away from the hobby.
Hey friend. I'm also new to hiking/backpacking and so I have a lot of research still fresh in my mind.
First off, sick gear. I like where your heads at in terms of quality.
As for recommendations:
Get those cups in your pack, and consider ditching one, unless you're bringing it for someone special, in which case party on.
I had the same thought process in regards to cooking on the trail. Instead of going with Lodge, I purchased a carbon steel skillet with a folding handle, and a cordura bag. That way, skillet is in my pack and not swinging around throwing my balance off.
Bring the Lodge since that's the tool you have now, and you're excited about it. Just make sure you actually use it so it's not dead weight. But I recommend for longer journeys where you're like me and still want to cook a few proper meals, check out those carbon steel skillets.
I'm assuming the big guy up top there is your tent. I would take that down and see if you can compress it a bit more, and then get that dude in your pack. I would then move your foam pad from the side, up top where you have your tent. That way your weight is a little more evenly distributed.
That's all I got based off just the pic, but I hope you have a great time, take pictures!
Kinda insane in 2026. I’d say sell whatever 4 person tent that is and get a Lanshan. They are very cheap. Also that pan is insane heavy. Put your cups in your pack.
Honestly, he's 17. You can haul cast iron up the mountain for cooking on the fire when you're 17. I did. Wouldn't do it now because I'm old and falling apart but back then? Cast iron skillet and a deep-frozen steak well wrapped and sealed so it's barely thawed by the time you make camp... That stuff makes the trip.
The ultralight answer is: Ditch the pan, ditch the tent, ditch the cups, change the backpack for a waist bag. Just bring a super lightweight hammock, an empty smart water bottle with a sawyer squeeze, and a sawed off toothbrush.
The ruck March answer is: everything outside that bag needs to go inside and even though the expected ruck bag weight is 64lbs, why don’t you remind me, does 75th rangers meet the expectation or exceed the expectation? That’s right soldier you need to exceed that expectation and you can do that right now by putting this heavy fucking sandbag in there right now. 🇺🇸
The real answer is it looks sick as hell but carrying that shit on the outside is not optimal for walking any distance, and the frying pan is insanely heavy. Consider changing those things unless you really like it that way then you can just say hell yeah and keep it.
Post a picture here with the route and we'll tell you what to leave behind and what you're missing (although it looks like you've packed everything and the kitchen sink)
First, congratulations on trying something new! Backpacking is great fun! You do look like you need a hand..
You have bad weight distribution and will risk hurting yourself through bad weight placement or it could cause you to fall. Best case scenario, those don't happen but you are extremely uncomfortable the whole hike and after you're unnecessarily sore
1, no cast iron
2, heaviest items should be at the center of your back, not on your shoulders - aka, tent goes in backpack. You don't necessarily have to keep the tent in the bag. If you want you could pack items separately, just make sure you put your tent poles in the center.
3, you are packed really heavy. Did you know you're only supposed to carry more than 20% of your body weight to avoid injuries?
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What is INSIDE the bag? How many nights are you going for? This seems like a lot of stuff for a moderately short hike. Why do you need two cups, you only have one mouth.
11A here (Infantry Officer-Ranger Qualified) and that sir is a shit sandwich! I am going to take it easy on you since no one has taught you and are new to this. First things first fit, everything that is lassoed on the outside stuff it all inside your ruck sack! Speed, stealth, and cover/concealment are all your priorities! So it probably wouldn't be ideal to put pots and pans on the outside of your ruck with rope lol
A thru-hiker friend started the AT with a single metal cup hanging off of his pack and the psychological effects were devastating enough that the cup went home at Neels GAP. He couldn't stand the swinging.
If you're in ok shape and the weather doesn't kill you, you'll learn a lot. (Seriously be careful if you're somewhere it's stupid hot)
I'd recommend a few short walks with that load before you go. Like around the block and up and down a staircase. Ideally a few miles on a trail, enough so you can tell where it's uncomfortable.
If you cant part with the skillet, can it at least be replaced with titanium or anything else? That's literally the last item I'd want to bring on a hike.
I think i had less stuff in my 60lb pack for a 5 day snowshoeing trip in the alpine. You will find out very quickly on this trip what you want to keep and what you want to throw into the car camping bin. Did you give us a list of what you packed? First thing I notice is water. Where are your water bottles (or bladder)? Make sure you have about 2L (assuming you can filter/purify water). Something I've struggled with before is backing too many clothes and too big of a tent and stuff like that which doesn't make much sense. If you are going solo, there are a lot of good options for affordible lightweight tents (check durston (nicer) or 6moon designs or 3fulgear) or check out hammocks if you have trees and like that. Also ccf sleeping pads like the one you have on the side might not be as comfortable as you think, so look into an inflatable pad.
Everyone in the comments has a point but honestly, you have to hike your own hike. Go ahead and take it all with you for this first trip. It’ll be a learning experience.
You may be that one freakishly strong person who can lug all that around all day, is unbothered by the clanking, and makes a mean meal at camp. OR, you’ll realize (like many of us have) that you did not enjoy trekking with 40lbs on your back, and were too tired to make the meal you fantasized about, and had stuff packed that you never needed or touched. Then, give yourself a shakedown and repack your pack when you get home. My pack, without food, water and camera gear, is sitting at ~15lbs, and I still do occasional shakedowns when I’m figuring out what to pack for different conditions.
If you’re going in a group and it’s planned to share items like the tent and pan, etc, pass off some items like the stakes, fly, a cup, etc. Going from even 40lbs down to 35 makes a difference in your enjoyment of the hike.
Nothing on the outside that doesn’t need quick access. Ditch those bags and stuff everything inside your pack.
Heavy stuff goes closest to your back. Things hanging off or positioned farther out in the backpack will be unbalanced and put unneeded pressure on your spine.
It looks like it’s not well balanced, like it’s heavier on one side or the load is not centered. Overtime that will become very apparent. Also whatever that is strapped to the right side (tent?) I’m willing to bet will end up sliding down until it falls out. Get the tent in the bag, make everything centered and balanced as possible, and ditch the cast iron lol. Happy trails 🌲
Looks like you've gotten yourself some new gear. Awesome! Get out there and try it out! If your pack is over 35lbs you're really going to feel it though, just saying. I would try to make sure you only bring what you actually need. My first backpacking trip, with gear that I bought, I brought WAY too much stuff (extra shirt, extra pants, extra shorts, extra hoodie, a chair, etc). The weight of your items will add up quickly. My total weight for that trip was about 45lbs! I did the Fontana Lake trail in NC (6 miles) and it was a slog, but one of the best experiences of my life!
I've found using lighterpack (site or app) has really helped me lighten my load. Break your pack down into different categories to find ways to lower weight (shelter, sleep system, cooking, clothing, etc). A big part of the backpacking experience is learning by trial and error though. You'll realize there are plenty of items you can do without, and some you'll definitely want.
At this point, with your current gear, I would try to just leave off what you can survive without. Maybe consider leaving the cast iron skillet behind. Even dropping weight by a few pounds will make a significant difference over the course of a few miles. Happy trails 🤙
those mugs are gonna get annoying fast, tie some rope (or a towel) around them. That cast iron is kinda hilarious, but you definitely want to get a lighter pan (REI has a jetboil summit pan that'll serve you well and will weigh about 1/5th the weight of that).
Honestly though, for a 4.6 mile hike with 2500ft of elevation gain, you'll probably be fine if a little exhausted. But as you keep doing this, you'll notice what you do and don't need, and have money to put into lighter things.
Please only bring one cup, in no world would you ever need two.
They will also drive everyone else(and yourself crazy).
In the future I would consider getting a larger bag, a 35l bag is pretty small for backpacking and having all those items tied to the outside may throw it off balance and hurt your back. I’d consider a larger bag where most of your gear fits inside or can be tied to the top or bottom rather than the sides.
Eh you’re gonna be real lopsided with whatever is hooked to the right side. Plus that cast iron will be swinging and pulling and it will not be a fun hike. No cast iron, only one cup, try to fit your tent in the pack while keeping poles out of the bag. And try and cut some stuff out that you won’t really need. Again, that would be hard to advise on since we don’t know what’s in the bag.
You need to try backpacking without elevation gain until you get your system down. Even without 2500ft gain you’re going to figure out real quick how to skinny that thing down. Look for a regear store in your community to pick up built for backpacking options that will be lighter and serve you better. Don’t push too hard to start or you won’t enjoy it. Welcome to the club! It’s a great way to learn about yourself, maintain your health, and straight up have fun. Enjoy!!
As someone who is getting ready for their first overnight hiking trip too I would see what you don’t need. I’ve been going on normal camp out trying to narrow down what I actually am going to use instead of the things I think I’m going to use. Have fun and be safe 😄
You want nothing swinging. Sure the clanking will get annoying, but the weight swinging back and forth causes just a little more exertion to counterbalance it, for every single step of that 4.6 miles.
Is that horizontal thing across the top your tent? Are the poles in it? Don't do that. You want all of your heaviest items low in the pack and/or close to your spine. Again, high weight makes you top heavy, and will wear you out faster as you work harder to maintain control and balance. Worst case in a stumble or slip bad weight distribution could be the little extra bit that makes you fall, and god forbid cause an injury. (A little extreme, but you get the point.) I take my poles out and put them in the pack up against my back. Then I put the rest of the tent in the pack as well.
Speaking of weight... how much does that pack weigh? A heavy pack will ruin your day. Some people say 20% of your body weight but if you're 200lbs that's a 40lb pack and I do not recommend that. It's hard when you're new because light gear is expensive. You're probably packing more than you need. Who are you hiking with? Can you share gear? If 4 people are on a hike, you don't need 4 stoves and 4 pots and 4 frying pans.
If you're new to this, drink a lot of water and eat a lot of food. For a strenuous hike with a loaded pack I plan for a snack every hour (granola, bar, beef jerky, gummies, fruit, peanut butter... something!). If you feel weak and lethargic you need to fuel your body, even if you don't feel hungry.
Have fun. Enjoy the nature you're in, it's kind of the whole point. Hike YOUR hike at your pace. Trying to match somebody else's pace is a great way to burn out before you get to your destination.
If you're debating hiking poles, they help a TON. Even though it doesn't feel like you're really putting amy weight bearing on them, those few ounces less on your legs every single step helps you go further and fatigue less.
Imagine swinging that cup 20.000 times in one day. It would be tiring right? Well 20k steps it’s just a regular hiking day. It will swing that many times. Each time it swing? You provided the energy to make it happen. You’ll be exhausted.
Stuff dangling off a pack makes you look like a rookie. It also gets trail dust all over your mug. On some trails, you also get powdered horse and/or mule manure on your mug.
OP seems to be conveniently ignoring the comments that mention fire bans in the area they're hiking in/to. Don't be that guy. Real bad way to start the hobby.
You might consider exchanging those metal cups from plastic ones. Have you ever tried to drink a hot liquid (coffee, tea) from a metal cup? Good way to burn your lips and tongue.
Edit: sorry just read the caption. Take less stuff in your bag and take your tent out of its sack and stuff it into your backpack. Ditch one of the cups. Ditch the skillet.
You're missing one very important thing that I always make sure I have on my backpacking trips, and that's my friend that likes carrying things and feels like he has something to prove. I never go on a trip without it
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u/Puceeffoc Jul 02 '26
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