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Re: Pack weights

Don't get to wound up about pack weights Andre. Some people have all the ultra-light kit and the only clothes they have are the ones they're wearing! I've just weighed my pack and it is 18.9kgs which is to heavy, so I will be taking stuff out to get it down to a more manageable 15-16kgs.

Re: Pack weights

I'm glad you said that. Notwithstanding the unbelievable amount of money you can spend on super lightweight gear. We believe we are being pretty ruthless on what we carry but want to be comfortable. We have walked many miles wearing 11-12kgs and the only problem we have is after 7 or 8 hours cannot get away from aches across the shoulders.

Re: Pack weights - must do better

I await the the arrival of the true spartans. My pack, with three days food, is down to 11kg and I'm no ultra lighter. So who's got the weight well below 10kg?

Colin

Re: Pack weights - must do better

Mine will be whatever it is when I finish packing and pick it up.
I'll probably not weigh it unless my eyes water when I lift it up.
It is what it is, and always has been.

Re: Pack weights - must do better

I like that approach

Re: Pack weights - must do better

Hi Fred & Sue. I'm sure you'll have a long string of responses to your question as it's a perennial Challenge favourite.

But I'm with Andrew on this.

When waiting at the station, or on the Challenge itself, quite often a pedestrian version of the ancient mariner with 'long grey beard and glittering eye' will seize me by the arm. Then begins a long and rambling tale of how he was once cursed with with the weighty albatross of an Akto or a stove, or socks, finishing with "Aye lad, I've a skin-out weight of 3.656 kilos, and what does YOUR pack weigh?"

I have only the vaguest idea of my pack weight - I just stuff the bag with more or less the same kit as last year. It weighs what it weighs.

But here's the thing, why are people so curious about the weight of my pack? After all, it's me that'll be carrying it, not them.

Are they odd, or is it me?

Re: Pack weights - must do better

I like that.
I am just curious that when we see lots of other Challengers tripping along, whistling a happy tune..... While I am grovelling on, can I at least think... Ah, but your pack must be lighter than mine !!!

Re: Pack weights - must do better

I have to say, last year I was skipping along quite happily singing, and my pack was 13kg +

Personally I think it's all in the MIND.

The alternative is EAT ALL YOUR FOOD on day 1.
The next 3 days your pack is much lighter...

There are some pitfalls to applying that solution...

Re: Pack weights - must do better

My pack was spun from fairy dust on the eddies of an angel's wings. It weighs a few smiles and a friendly grin.

Do we have to go through this bonkers charade every year?

Love and cuddles,

Grumpy Al
(Getting cheerier as Wednesday approaches and my hip flask empties - to save weight, you see...)




PS:Has anyone heard from Mr Grumpy lately? I fear I am becoming his stand-in...

Re: Pack weights - must do better

Ah but Mr Sloman you are grumbling from the viewpoint of someone who has walked many a TGOC, and has heard countless discussions of the same over the eons. Forgive those of us who still enjoy the headiness of youth and have only just embarked on their search for true walking enlightenment....

Re: Pack weights - must do better

My pack weight is 1.3Kg but I haven't put anything in it yet. I won't weigh my packed pack. I did before one Challenge and it played on my mind all the way across. My rule is I start off with what I took last year and if I want to add anything I have to take out something(s) of the same or greater weight. The only exception to this rule is camera equipment which I carry far too much of.

Ian C.

Re: Pack weights - must do better

Ian C.
My pack weight is 1.3Kg but I haven't put anything in it yet. I won't weigh my packed pack. I did before one Challenge and it played on my mind all the way across. My rule is I start off with what I took last year and if I want to add anything I have to take out something(s) of the same or greater weight. The only exception to this rule is camera equipment which I carry far too much of.

Ian C.


See that is what I always though pack weight was.
And mine is 900g!
Once you start putting stuff in them the bloody things just get heavier and heavier.
And therein lies the problem of pack weight.

We have pack weight, base weight *****cks, even the bizarre SKIN OUT WEIGHT! WTF is that all about?
I have never knowingly walked anywhere with my skin out, or off?
OK, some folk have walked with their skin on the outside, but I find that too cold TBH.

How about a "Can I lift this bloody thing up weight"?
That's the only thing I worry about!

Anyway, I'm with Phil.

Why do you care what my pack weight is?
Are you carrying my pack?
Are you taking my kit?
If you are, then what is your route?
I mean, if it isn't my route then I'm totally stuffed.

The rules state, you must carry your own stuff.
If you carry mine we both get disqualified.

OK... I'm handing this over to GRUMPS & SLOMAN now, I have to go and sew my pack with gossamer from the thread of spiders.
Pack my food pack with ONLY AMBROSIA from the Gods.
And weave a cocoon to sleep in from the weightless nano-threads of hypothetical silk worms.




OH... And have a Wondrous crossing peeps.
I mean it's really all about the journey and the fantastic people you meet on route.
Put all this weightlessness stuff to one side and GO FOR IT!

Re: Pack weights - must do better

ALL that said.

I think mine will be about 11kg (24.2lb in old money) inc food.
That's carry pick up off the floor day 1 starting weight.
AND... Assuming I am carrying my waterproof.

SEE what you've done there!

I've wasted over an hour of my life, with that
AN HOUR I WILL NEVER EVER GET BACK NOW
doing that weighing thing & writing this.

And it's all your fault!!!!!



Re: Pack weights - must do better

It will weigh a lot more with beach cobbles tucked inside...

Re: Pack weights - must do better

Alan Sloman
It will weigh a lot more with beach cobbles tucked inside...


I am very aware of that evil plot sir.
That's why Mr Williams is walking with you this year not me...

Re: Pack weights

Hi Fred and Sue,
I did the TGOC last year for the first time and my dry pack weight (less food, fuel & water) was 10.5kg. With 4 days of food and 2L of water I was carrying about 16kg. That was fine for me (46 years old, serving soldier, body of a Greek god etc etc), but I found there was stuff I didn't use, I have brought lighter kit since and also discovered MYOG. I'm not doing TGOC this year but my dry pack weight is now 7.4kg. In short, you kinda need to do a long walk to find out what you need to take for a long walk! From what you have said, you are starting with a decent pack weight which will only get lighter for TGOC 18! Don't forget you can probably post stuff back home if you find you don't need it along the route. Have a great crossing! :)

Re: Pack weights

Still. Too. Much.

edit.
I mean MINE is, not Fred and Sue's.

Re: Pack weights

I wish I knew at this stage, how much my full pack will weigh. Very disorganised - oh my goodness!

Also wish I had the body of a Greek god. Think on my first challenge it was 18kg - eek! Think it was about 12kg without food last time. After witnessing my pleasure at receiving some very light tent pegs yesterday, my wife states she is considering manufacturing a line in ultralight, invisible clothing... If you don't feel warm enough in it, you're not wearing it properly. I feel like she may be taking the mick here...

Re: Pack weights

All right,
So I won't mention the weight of my pack , taboo :-). But it will be so much less than the first time I went walking. I had a Lowe 60 + 20 later backpack, filled to the brim with all straps extended, two side pockets and a bin bag on the outside.

I was young then (40..) and walked the West Highland Way in 5 days. Now I am 60 and the pack on my first TGOC will be about half the weight. Not that I am smarter, but you just can't wear that much clothes and read that much books :-)!

Andre

Re: Pack weights

I am very fortunate this year. Previously I have done the Challenge on my own but not this time. I shall be with Alan Sloman and Lord Elpus. Thus, I can save 500gr or so by not taking any whisky. I have been assured my all who know them that they will happily share their flasks with me and, indeed, would be offended if I carried any myself as it would be a slight on their renowned hospitality.

Re: Pack weights

David,

I don't think you fully understand your new roll as Mr Lambert and Mr Sloman's carer. It might be a good idea to have a word with their old carer Mr Walker.

Ian C.

Re: Pack weights

I always endeavour to adopt the Walker / Lambert approach to pack weight, just shrug (when NOT wearing it, obvs) and say "que sera sera - whatever 'twill be 'twill be".

But THEN ... well ... I have those luggage scales just sitting there in the hall and it's soooooo tempting just to load up and see. Out of idle curiosity, you understand ...

Back in 2000 when I tackled the Great Outdoors Challenge for the first time, my pack weight was about 22kg. But then I was young then (a mere child of 32!) and I couldn't afford shedloads of ultra-lightweight gear.

A ruthless process of getting rid of everything (except emergency gear ... ) that I've faithfully carried year on year without ever actually using has got me down in recent yours to somewhere round the 14-15 kilo mark. I've nearly finished putting everything in the pack again, and I could swear that it's feeling lighter than in previous years.

What have I forgotten to pack???

Re: Pack weights

Jeremy Burrows


What have I forgotten to pack???


I once forgot my Waterproof Coat

Re: Pack weights

Andrew W
Jeremy Burrows


What have I forgotten to pack???


I once forgot my Waterproof Coat


That's nothing ... I once REMEMBERED my maps ... all the way to the Bree Louise ... and then got on the Sleeper without them!!!

Re: Pack weights

So, just packed it.
All up, with food for 3½ days 11kg.
And I chucked some extra stuff in :-O