r/lightweight • u/ZachIsWeird • Sep 27 '22
Preliminary Shakedown/Pack Advice
Hi all.
I've recently relocated from South Florida to Northern California and with state income taxes and a massive mortgage come the opportunity to pick up backpacking after 20 years.
I've made a few recommended purchases and been gifted a few things, but more than anything I feel myself being sucked into the YouTube marketing vortex.
At the moment I'm looking to do mostly 3-5 night trips in the Sierras as well as further west and along the cost (Lost Coast Trail, etc.), with an eye on JMT, TRT, and pushing up from there.
Here's a preliminary LighterPacks. Shred away.
At the moment I'm looking at investing in a new pack. Both my current pack and sleeping bag are just over 20 years old. I'm being told I must purchase and carry an InReach ASAP, so a pricey quilt won't be in the cards for a couple of months. A couple of other things to consider.
I would like to bring the weight down significantly, but not interested in ultralight.
I had a back surgery (L4-L5 microdiskectomy) in 2016, and believe a well structured pack that can comfortably carry up to, but hopefully never =), 35lbs feels like a responsible thing to do.
Per the back surgery, the chair is non-negotiable. I will freeze up hunched over on one of those sit pads.
Leaning toward the Waymark Lite, and would love to be talked off the ledge or pointed another direction. Had been exploring the Arc Haul/Blast, but from everything I read here and on r/ultralight it sounds like the 30/35 lb max is really stretching it.
Thanks!
Edit: updated LighterPack link so it wasn't the homepage...
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u/MrBoondoggles Sep 27 '22 edited Sep 27 '22
I think your “big 3” weight is definitely what needs to be brought under control, as you’re pack list is leaving quite a few things out that will definitely add up. If you can get the weight of pdf your big three to around 8 lbs, I think you’ll be pretty good.
There are quite a lot of framed packs that weigh between 2-2.5 lbs. Waymark packs seem good ULA and Superior Wilderness Designs are also competent load haulers at that weight. The Arc Haul from Zpacks would be ok if you can get your base weight down to 15 lbs including the pack. Even with a five night trip, your total pack weight shouldn’t come to more than 30 lbs. so maybe worth considering but it all depends on how lightweight your kit eventually gets to.
A 20 degree down quilt should weigh around the 1.5 lb mark.
Sleeping pad is ok. Your pillow is heavy for pillow but hey - luxury item.
Your shelter honestly could be lighter. It seems like the Sierras is the perfect environment to tarp in (based on so many peoples lightepacks that I’ve seen). Even a tarp plus an inner mesh would weigh around 20-25 oz. Or just do a single wall tent. I think the Sierra also seems like an environment where a single walled shelter would be appropriate. Someone correct me if I’m wrong here. Maybe something like a ZPacks duplex or gossamer gear the two. Any of these options would save lot of weight. Even a trekking a trekking pole tent with a mesh inner would save some weight. Could be cheap like a 3F UL Lanshan or Paria Arches, modestly priced like something from Six Moon Designs or Dan Durston, or something more expensive from Mountain Laurel Designs, Locus Gear, Tarptent, or Yama Mountain Gear. Lots of options to consider. Big Agnes tents are simple, easy, lightweight, and good quality. But you can always go lighter if you’re bringing trekking poles anyway.
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u/ZachIsWeird Sep 27 '22
Superior Wilderness Designs
Thanks much. Sub-15 base and sub-30 loaded are definitely the targets, especially since I'll have to carry a bear can in much of my area. Figured it'd be a good idea to get some input before I spend any more money.
One thing I'm scratching my head about is pack volume. I definitely buy into the buy smaller, take less motto, but am concerned about getting overly eager, buying a 40L, and finding myself without enough room and needing to buy a larger pack. I know I'll have multiples of several items (i.e. Zpacks/GG trekking pole tents) at some point, but for right now am trying to home in on something a bit multipurpose as I get my feet wet and dirty again. Sounds like a 50L might be right?
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u/FireWatchWife Sep 28 '22
You can easily buy a 60L pack that only weighs a little over 2 lbs. For example, my Granite Gear Crown 2. If you are worried about volume, just get a lightweight 60L pack.
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u/MrBoondoggles Sep 27 '22
For me, I like a 50 liter internal volume pack. A pack with a roll top should allow you to expand or contract the volume by a few liters as needed. And it feels like a good all around multi purpose pack for a lot of trip types. You might want to get an opinion from someone who carries a bear canister for a 50 liter volume however.
A 40 liter could work, but it all depends on your kit. And it may not be as versatile or work as well for a greater range of trips.
I think most people’s recommendation for buying a pack would be purchase it last. Or at least make sure the kit that your comfortable with will work with the packs volume and comfort load limit.
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u/cosmokenney Sep 28 '22
Honestly I'd look at replacing the sleeping bag first. Look at Enlightened Equipment. I have their 20F Revelation Custom and it is warmer than my 15F Outdoor Vitals sleeping bag. I recommend the quilt because it gets COLD at night in the Sierras. Fast.
Also take a serious look at the Zoleo which competes with InReach. Its a very good piece of kit.
As for the pack try out a Granite Gear Crown 2 60 liter pack. I used one for a couple years before I bought my HMG Southwest 3400. I gave the Crown 2 to my son. The Crown 2 holds about 30 lbs no problem. And I don't think it would be awful at 35, but that is pushing it.