BlueBear
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@GoBlueHiker
Posts: 3,224
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Post by BlueBear on Dec 9, 2015 10:53:48 GMT -8
I used to have a list like that, somewhere. I've long since abandoned it. I see the value but for the most part I have a pretty good system and I'm able to put my pack together without too much thought these days, so I keep it simple. I have a lightweight system that works for me so I've given up gram-counting to any significant degree, it's been several years since I bothered to weigh the pack. I just pack my things, make sure I have enough, and go. It worked for a long time before Excel was around. Again, I do see the value, and I've forgotten an item once or twice myself, so I can't disparage the practice entirely. But I prefer the simplicity these days. My $.02 anyway, - Mike
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Post by cweston on Dec 9, 2015 11:07:55 GMT -8
I keep a much simpler master list of items I've sometimes taken on BP trips. Not a detailed inventory of everything. For example, one item on the list is "tent": I pack the one that makes sense for that particular trip. And so on. I do find that it helps me to not forget critical items. My BPing trips always involve at least a day's travel to and from (not much BPing in Kansas), so I have to pack for non-BPing travel days as well.
The fall that I lived in Stehekin, WA was awesome: my pack just sat, mostly packed, in my cabin. When it was time to hike, I grabbed some food from the kitchen and I was gone.
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BlueBear
Trail Wise!
@GoBlueHiker
Posts: 3,224
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Post by BlueBear on Dec 9, 2015 11:16:01 GMT -8
I keep a much simpler master list of items I've sometimes taken on BP trips. Not a detailed inventory of everything. For example, one item on the list is "tent": I pack the one that makes sense for that particular trip. And so on. I do find that it helps me to not forget critical items. Y'know, I like that. I think I'll do just that, actually. "Tent, water treatment, pack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag", etc. Keeps me from forgetting items, but also keeps it simple. I no longer care to keep updating some Excel sheet for whatever the latest gear purchase I made was, or what my various tents & stoves each individually weigh, etc. I change my gear selections based on the conditions, I don't need to mark X's on a sheet for that. The fall that I lived in Stehekin, WA was awesome: my pack just sat, mostly packed, in my cabin. When it was time to hike, I grabbed some food from the kitchen and I was gone.
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BigLoad
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Pancakes!
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Post by BigLoad on Dec 9, 2015 11:19:11 GMT -8
I have multiple options for most items in each category, like different weights of long unders, jackets, or other clothing, different stoves, different water treatment options, etc. All by weight, of course. The quantity (can be zero) multiplies the weight.
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Dec 9, 2015 11:22:06 GMT -8
Like BB above, see some value in the "List" - mostly for beginners though (and for daydreaming), but un-used here. BTW, never was a gram-counter either, and generally suspicious of those who boast about their 9.01667 pack weights. They are the ones usually avoided as having a propensity for unwanted boasting, sponging food, and/or borrowing equipment.
After decades of refining and re-refining my kit - everything now works well, proven, simple, and has its own dedicated place in my pack. Just by picking it up, I can feel if anything is missing...Not my first rodeo! I have a system too - After the season is over, broken items are fixed, replaced, and/or discarded...then all re-packed and pronounced ready to go on 15 minutes notice...(Food not included).
Why weigh everything out? Bored? Need to brag? Is someone else going to carry it for you? my 2¢
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 9, 2015 11:24:47 GMT -8
I keep a much simpler master list of items I've sometimes taken on BP trips. Not a detailed inventory of everything. For example, one item on the list is "tent": I pack the one that makes sense for that particular trip. And so on. I do find that it helps me to not forget critical items. My BPing trips always involve at least a day's travel to and from (not much BPing in Kansas), so I have to pack for non-BPing travel days as well. I do that for some things. For instance I have a handful of stoves so if I have "Stove" on the list I'll just grab the one that makes sense at the moment. Since this is the first run with this list I'm sure I'll adjust and simplify as I go on. Or I may expand and complicate it, that's a fun thing as well!
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 9, 2015 11:27:33 GMT -8
Why weigh things out? Bored? Need to brag? Is someone else going to carry it for you? my 2¢ For me it is just for chatter. Adds flavor if you like that flavor. You are right about one thing though, my friend has a much lighter pack but if you ask him about any first aid items he doesn't carry it. And so on. He puts himself at a slight risk because he doesn't want the weight. He usually hikes and camps on established trails not far from people so he has a false sense of security when we do go into deeper woods.
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Dec 9, 2015 12:19:04 GMT -8
Why weigh everything out? Bored? Need to brag? Is someone else going to carry it for you? my 2¢ In my case, the aging process coupled with the availability of lighter and situation specific gear has revised my former nonchalant attitude regarding overall pack weight. The strong desire to continue hiking, backpacking and peakbagging to an octogenarian level requires the ability to make lifestyle and gear adjustments. Weight reduction and maintenance is likely the number one extender. As far as planning goes, I'm into it and it's one of the more enjoyable and rewarding aspects of the activity. At present, my tactical planning backlog consists of (3) 2016 projects. Attention to detail is better in the front end rather than in the field.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Dec 9, 2015 12:50:15 GMT -8
The first camping trip my husband & I did (what you might call our second date), we got out there with only one sleeping bag. Now THAT'S my kind of second date! :(
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 9, 2015 12:57:34 GMT -8
The first camping trip my husband & I did (what you might call our second date), we got out there with only one sleeping bag. Now THAT'S my kind of second date! Unfortunately, other things were forgotten, too. But it did lead to a certain conviction that we were compatible :(
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Post by cweston on Dec 9, 2015 13:00:15 GMT -8
Y'know, I like that. I think I'll do just that, actually. "Tent, water treatment, pack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag", etc. Keeps me from forgetting items, but also keeps it simple. I no longer care to keep updating some Excel sheet for whatever the latest gear purchase I made was, or what my various tents & stoves each individually weigh, etc. I change my gear selections based on the conditions, I don't need to mark X's on a sheet for that. Yeah, that's the idea--every trip includes some tent or another, some sleeping bag or another, a camera (for me anyway), maps, compass, food, spare socks, and so on. Not every trip includes an ice axe, gaiters, etc--those are in a separate category of the list, for possible "extras."
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Post by wondermonkey on Dec 9, 2015 13:00:00 GMT -8
Unfortunately, other things were forgotten, too. But it did lead to a certain conviction that we were compatible Alcohol fuel stove versus the canister type?
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RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
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Post by RumiDude on Dec 9, 2015 13:03:21 GMT -8
Like GoBlue, I used to have a list but now I don't because I can tell by my pack if I am missing something. I suppose I should have a list for certain things like my barometer/altimeter, bandana, etc., because I have forgotten things like that which I carry on me. But I have pretty much dialed in my pack.
Though I have used a list, I have never bothered with a spread sheet. And though weight is important to me, it is mostly used when I am trying to evaluate a particular system, such as a cook system. I weight all the items I need and compare that to all the items I would need if I used a different system. The same applied to shelter system, sleep system, etc. Whenever asked about pack weight, I have no idea. The only thing I weigh before each trip is my total food. I usually weight it when I return to see how I can save weight the next time.
Rumi
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 9, 2015 13:04:48 GMT -8
Why weigh everything out? Bored? Need to brag? Is someone else going to carry it for you? my 2¢ As I noted in my post, the weighing part was less for the list, and more for data analysis--could I make the pack lighter? The check-list is meant to prevent those first-trip-of-the-year slip-ups that we seem to get most times, but if I'm honest, I don't go down the list and check off each item, so I still forget something. Sometimes we plan complex trips, though--like last summer: We drove to Boulder, stopping to hike on the way. The spouse attended a conference in Boulder for 3 days, then we drove on to leave some items in Co Springs for Eldest Son (he started college there in August). We then camped and hiked for 4 more days back across the SW to LAX, where we saw Second Son off for a month of travel in Mongolia. The other three of us then drove to Mineral King for a 5-day pack trip. Trips like that call for detailed lists, and some careful planning. (NB: in the last-minute repacking for the Mongolia trip, the kid's sleeping bag got left out despite the lists. He proved both resourceful and resilient, and managed to cope). You know, I think that forgetting the sleeping pads that time down by Santa Cruz was worse than forgetting a sleeping bag...
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johnnyray
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Argle-Bargle, Jiggery-Pokery, and Applesauce
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Post by johnnyray on Dec 9, 2015 13:05:19 GMT -8
Went for a day hike, left the insoles for my ankle high boots at home, no problem though wore low cut hikers for the drive hiked in those with no problems.
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