Superior Hiking Trail 2006

Backpack Information

From time to time we get questions about what is in our backpacks and how much they weight. I thought a few comments and pictures would be helpful. There are two basic types of packs, ones with internal frames and ones with external frames. I use an external frame pack (mostly from old habits) and Pat uses the more popular internal frame style. Each have advantages and disadvantages that I will not go into here. Email me if you are interested in my opinions or visit your local sporting goods store or outfitter for their opinions.

Many years ago I made a deal with Pat in that I said if she would come with me on these trips, she would only have to carry her own personal gear and I would carry the rest. The great news is she took me up on that deal! The not so good news is, I now get to carry lots of stuff. Typically, starting out on a week long trip fully provisioned, Pat's pack will range from 30-35 pounds and mine will range from 74 to 80 pounds depending on how much water we have to carry the first day out. The good news for me is that the more we eat, the lighter my pack gets and generally we do not have to start out with a full complement of water.

With an internal frame pack, most of Pat's gear is inside the pack. We made a couple "pockets" that fit inside her compression straps on the outside of her pack to carry water (max 100 oz. 6.25 lbs.) and miscellaneous personal items (about 6 lbs). Otherwise, the majority of the weight that Pat is carrying is inside her pack, the pack itself is 5.75 lbs, her clothes (cool weather) 10 lbs, and her sleeping bag, waterproof cover, etc. 6 lbs. For a maximum of about 35 lbs with full water.

I have put together a couple pictures that identify the items we are carrying and where they are located on the pack. The pictures are of the packs we carried on this trip. If we were backpacking to get to an area for a special purpose (eg: peak bagging), additional specialty equipment such as ice axes, crampons, rope, caribeaners, webbing, etc. maybe required. Generally in those cases, we only require a few days food so the pack is lighter to begin with to accomodate the increased weight from the specialty equipment. Click on any of the thumbnail pictures to see an expanded view. Use your browsers "Back Button" to return to the thumbnails or click back again to return to the text.