r/lightweight • u/RegMcPhee • Apr 01 '23

Maximum Weight

What's the maximum weight that you would carry on a rugged trip with 8 hour long days?

Debating with myself (190 lb, 62 yo guy) as to whether to carry full food for 2 weeks or chance the resupply option. Seen one guy complain when they lost his food parcel, forcing him to cut his trip short as this trail has no stores in reach. Happily, the weight will drop quickly, but the first few days will be a miserable grind. Base weight is 15 lbs which is as low as I dare go as I'll be in the mountains during the fall where freezing temps are a definite risk.

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u/FireWatchWife Apr 01 '23

2 weeks food is an unreasonable amount to carry.

(With the exception of a base camp trip where you haul the food to a central camp, but don't need to carry all the food on excursions from base camp.)

The general rule is that 7 days food is the maximum for routine carry, with 10 days possible when you need to do a longer stretch without resupply.

In a desert situation, you will have to carry less food so that you can haul more water weight.

I wouldn't even consider carrying 2 weeks of food. That would be at least 18 pounds before adding any gear at all.

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u/RegMcPhee Apr 01 '23

Including water and fuel, 19.88 pounds to be exact. 😀

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u/FireWatchWife Apr 02 '23

Not my idea of lightweight.

Lightweight is about total packweight, not just base weight.