I think some caution is needed before suggesting people should ditch stuff. If Howard has a more traditional rucksack that could add well over a kilo. Similarly tents can vary by over a kg. And sleeping bags by over 0.5kg. So it may not be superfluous stuff.

Each to their own. My rucksack is too heavy. I know some stuff could be ditched. My Zuuc camp shoes could go. And the just in case knee bandage. And so on. And I might wish I had carried less by this Saturday night. I also know that if I am more ruthless I could be missing something by then too. It's individual judgement as with so many other things on the Challenge, and frankly, we all gamble with our gear.

But whatever we all carry let's all have a great time and a safe crossing.

Maybe I'm being a bit arrogant - but for what it's worth, I'm on my 13th (and hoping that number is not significant.....) This topic is more than evergreen, it's almost invasive!

14 or so kg is usually what I start with, too, with food. I'm a chilly sleeper, and also feel the cold while walking, admittedly more so now that I'm getting ancient, as I can't speed up so much in order to keep warm! But I refuse to be miserable (and possibly unsafe) because I'm cold. I have to admit I no longer go over Munro tops very often with my full camping pack, I save them for lighter-weight trips.

My pension won't stretch to buying ever-lighter gear, either, although I have upgraded some items.

This has got to be the most individual of all choices. YOU have to be safe and comfortable, and confident of remaining so. And it's worth taking a couple of those strong plastic post-bags, and some stamps, to post home maps and other items you know you won't need again.

I did do a comprehensive list of my gear for a first-timer friend a couple of years ago, and I still use it when packing: if perchance anyone wants a look I can email it, but it's a bit late for this year!

Anyway, stay safe everybody, and ENJOY.

I am of similar mind. Most people would probably say the 500g of art stuff I'm carrying was unnecessary. Each to his or her own. As long as it all fits in and I can carry it, then it's light enough.

The only way I'll get my pack down to a sensible weight is to eat all my food on day 1

Jean hits the issue on the head - be safe and comfortable.

I now carry a fairly light load when backpacking. It evolved that way.

Back in 2004 I did LEJOG with leather boots and a Karrimor pack that weighed a ton.

As long as the gear keeps you safe and comfortable it really doesn't matter what it weighs.

I don't know about Howard, but I myself have three main reasons for making my rucksack weigh approximately 14 kg with 4(-5) days' food:
1. I have heavyweight gear: my rucksack is 1.9 kg, my tent 1.2 kg, my stove almost 400 g and so on.
2. I might carry a bit too much food, but I'm lactose intolerant and I don't eat meat, so I need to bring at least some of my own and not rely on what I could find locally
3. I might have too much stuff . But I hate being wet and cold (hence my heavier rainshell rather than the lighter but a more unreliable one, and a down jacket and not just a fleece or similar) and I' ve never gone on a two week hike before, so for the first time ever I've packed four pairs of socks (and not just two like normally), footcream etc. just to be prepared. There's this saying "the more comfortable the more uncomfortable" meaning that the less you carry the more comfortable you are whenwalking, but it can bite you in the butt at camp if you're lacking in comfort. And vice versa!

I'll soon see how wrong my choice was I guess...

Minna, from Finland
(Already up here in Edinburgh, anyone else around?)

Hmmmm - after all I wrote above, I've finished packing and weighed, and it's lighter than usual! About 11kg, with just a few snacks to add. Now panicking about what I've forgotten.....maybe I'm just going to freeze.....

There are other factors to be taken into account. My rucksack is a whisker under 10kg with 3 days food but no water.

However, I am carrying 4.5kg more elsewhere than last year, so it all balances out!

On Megabus to Glasgow - just passed the Montrose turning to could just have got off! Lol.
Pack 8.8kg with no food, currently
12.8kg with 5 days food. Don't carry water, just scoop it up.
Starting at Ardrishaig with first resupply point st Ardlui after 7 Grahams and 2 Corbetts.
Good weather about to break by the looks of it...
Good crossing to all.

Like Jean, I'm an old hand at this lark (10 successful crossings off 11 starts, with a variety of interesting adventures and escapades along the way). My starting kit weight, with plenty of food but water bottles empty, is 14kg.

I am happy carrying that.

I believe I have everything I need to be safe and comfortable, and to enjoy my crossing whatever the weather may hurl at us (and, at some point or another, you can be sure that it will!)

I will go slowly and steadily. Take my time, Use the available daylight. Enjoy my surroundings. Following the very sage advice I received from the Twin Towers on my first crossing, many many moons ago.