Comments on: Quick Tips: Backpacking rules of thumb

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 19:08:19 +0000

Thanks for the kind words! Best of luck on anyour future backpacking jaunts.

By: John White

John White — Sun, 28 Aug 2016 03:55:06 +0000

I just wanted to say I effing love you man. Your blog has been my go to source of info as I begin my backpacking journey. I love how straight forward you give information and I also have a good laugh at some of the photos. Anyway it has been a great help to me, so from a fellow Coloradoan, Cheers!

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 00:20:55 +0000

In reply to Phillip Porter. Thanks for the kind words. :)

By: Phillip Porter

Phillip Porter — Mon, 25 Jul 2016 15:21:39 +0000

Paul, you have done this once or twice haven’t you? ;)))))
Great basics brother, your right on point. I love your musings. Keep it coming. You help so many of us!!!

By: Another Kevin

Another Kevin — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 22:33:27 +0000

Great post! I boil more water than some, walk more slowly than some, have a pack that’s a little over 60 litres because packs are a few litres more in a Long torso, have one of those lightweight tents that’s a touch more spacious, carry an inflatable pad (plus a sunshade and a blue foam when the temps dip), and have a power-hungry hiking style (GPS track logging and photography).

Your advice fits me pretty closely. For all the above reasons, I come in at the “heavy and slow” end of your range on most of the items, mostly making up for it by carrying the lightweight tent rather than a 2-persom from the outfitters, and find that my pack weight is Just Fine.

No, that’s not true. A pack is always Too Heavy. But I’m down to “there isn’t anything I want to ditch for the sake of going faster.” Which is the ideal pack weight, even if it is Too Heavy.