Backpack Questions -- Newbie

imported
#1

Went backpacking many times in HS with Boy Scouts, several 50 miles, Philmont, etc. Went a few times in college, including a class in backpacking as a PE class. It was fun and I learned alot.
Fast Forward 12 Years (I’m 34 now). I’ve been having knee problems since I was 24 from Fencing (Saber). Last Summer got bad and in Nov. had arthroscopic Knee Surgery. Still have pain, but it’s muscluar pain, not in the knee now. So I’ve started thinking about Backpacking again… I’ve alway wanted to thru-hike the AT.
Gone through my gear, most is shot. I think the Whisper Light Stove, the MSR WaterWorks Filter (with a new Cartrige), and the MSR cookset are salvagable.
My question is the Backpack. Back in 91 I spend a good bit of money on a new backpack. It is a Kelty Radial Light. It was designed as a crossover between an External and an Internal Framed Pack. It has an external frame, but is expandable (to the top), compression straps, and is very adjustable to the person.
Problem is, it weighs in at 6.9 lbs. with side pockets (accessories). I know that there is a big arguement between Ultra-light and more “traditional” styles of backpacking, but is the pack too much for thru-hiking the AT (I’m thinking of 2006 at the soonest).
Just doing some preliminary research.
Thanks!
Crutch

Crutch

#2

Hey crutch, your knees are nothing new here, we all have problems! Your pack isn’t light by current models but the important thing is that its comfortable to carry. We, as modern hikers, like to get the weight down so we can hiker farther. As a replacement a Gregory Forester, packs from Mountainsmith, Arc’Terix, Osprey, all good and tough. Bono is currently out there with a Gregory Shasta which is NOT a twon to town pack, its for multi week expeditions to Patagonia. But it works for him and I kow first hand it fits great and heavy. Take some trips with the one you have and work on getting the gear weight down before you ditch it.

Bushwhack

#3

Like all gear, there is no consensious on what pack is best. You see all kinds of packs being used. Some new, some old, some external, some internal, some no frame. etc.

Like Bushwhack says, take some trips with the one you currently have, and see if you still like it.

Peaks

#4

When the whole go light fad came into play a few years a go it was over 'packers getting tired of hauling all that crap and going no where. The first go lite packs and gear were nothing more than stripped down army rucksacs with all the straps and suspension cut off. Light yes but murder on your shoulders. They’ve gotten betten but some hikers miss the point. We hiked with a nice guy in Vt in '01. He had the Go-Lite brand, Gust I think it was?, a bag with straps. Then he had the tent and the umbrella and the this and that. Every piece of Go-lite gear. So his pack weighed more than my full size Gregory Thru-Hiker pack at summer weight. His shoulders burned adn he could only do eleven miles a day. The overall weight is more than just the individual, just watch what you put in it and a full suspension job like yours, Crutch can be a go light. Leave out the iron fry pan.

Bushwhack

#5

I used an equinox back pack with a deluxe hip-belt from LW Gear (Lynne Weldon) and never had a problem with it. Going SOBO, carried a max of 31 lbs. thru the 100-mile wilderness and about 24-26 lbs. the rest of the way. Using my bed pad as the frame was more than fine… especially if you are not an organizational freak (LOL)- light stuff on bottom and food on top! By the way, I remember someone asking about foot gear- used a pair of $19.99 K-mart specials… 2 pairs total. If you are interested in Lynne’s gear- go to his web site.

Spanky

#6

Remember there are plenty of outfitters on the trail that sell packs. You may want to try the old pack out when you start the trail. This will allow you to research what other thru-hikers are using and I will garantee you that there will be plenty of outfitters on the trail eager to sell you a new pack should you decide to buy one.

I personally think that a 7lb pack is too heavy. I don’t care how nice it feels on your shoulders. Your knees and feet have to carry that weight for 3-6 months. There are reasonably sized packs that weigh in at around 3lb and that would cut your overall weight by 4lb. Obviously I am one of those people that think of weight way too much - but your body will feel a 4lb difference at the end of the day.

I used a mountainsmith ghost and was happy with it - but it doesn’t hold much volume or weight very well. If you think your weight will be under 30lb and it can all fit in the ghost, then I would recommend the pack. My wife used an Osprey Aether 60 and was pleased with her pack too. I heard of many people having problems with the golite speed packs tearing, but they are an attractive option also. Another good choice is the Mountainsmith Auspex.

Plenty of options out there - just do some research and decide what works best for you.

Presto

#7

I carry a Dana Bridger and I’ve been very happy with the pack it holds up to fourty pounds without buckling. If you go over it starts to strain on your shoulders. I like it because it gives me some options for organizing my gear with two external pockets. It’s durable and has hiked over 2500 miles and still going strong except for the smell. I am not a fan of mountian smith packs because the suspension is a little light on padding and tends to cut your shoulders. I would encourage you to look at a smalled pack but if you start with your current pack you can always buy a new one along the way. I bought my Bridger in Manchester Center, VT when I was SOBO in 1999 and have been happy with it ever since. I talked with several other hikers and saw the packs in action before I made my choice. You definite want to reduce overall pack weight to reduce the stress on your knees. I like the extra weight capacity for food when I resupply in towns but it’s really a personal choice.

Darth Pacman

#8

Crutch, If you can make it work well I think it is always nice to be able to use older gear. It is long paid for and often offers sentimental value. I believe that you mentioned that your pack has side pockets. Are these removable? If you can limit its overall volume maybe it is worth trying out the ol’e reliable pack. On the other hand, there are a bunch of newer, lighter, strong, comfortable alternatives available. The above posts mention trying out some of these. I believe that is sound. Your body will tell you what is too heavy.

Lots of different packs with widely varying weights work, you just need to find what works for you. Some outfitters will rent or lone packs to try. Some other hikers may also be able to loan you a pack to try out.

Forrest Phil

#9

Crutch, I carried an old external frame I have had for years. It probably has 3500+ miles on it. It worked great for me. My pack was the one thing that was never an issue. Most of the time I never knew it was on my back. My advice is to try your pack with what you are going to take on your hike. Then take a hike. Don’t start your hike with a pack that does not feel good. Your pack will lighten at Neels Gap or NOC if you don’t spend some time with it. When you see the gear that the thru hikers use that have done the trail several times you may be surprised. Most of it is old, patched and you would not very likely to see it on a first time thru hiker. Don’t get caught up in the “Backpacker” or “Outfitter” “you have got to have this” mentalilty. Listen to these former thru hikers and ask them specific questions on any topic. Nothing is too trivial or silly. We planned our thru-hike for two years and we’re thankful to have had this site and also had the opportunity to spend time with guys like Model T and Bungalow Bill to talk about our planned hike. We finished with the same items we started with. The only time we mailed anything back was in the spring and we only purchased items when the old ones worn out or lost. Happy Trails!

Papa Smurf

#10

90% of Thru Hiker I saw had internals. I had a 7lb Kelty West Coast. It did well and I could get to items while the internal people were digging. It swings a bit climbing over dead fall but I would carry it again

Virginian

#11

i have a kelty west coast…my wife has a camp trails ranger…both will carry all you need…i feel that the ext frame packs allow you more options…go with what is comfortable…use poles and a knee brace.i personnally like to stay out on the trail…so i carry more weight…and less speed…each to their own…santa

bigbird & santa

#12

brand names will sell you the biggest and most expensive pack they can…the bigger the pack the more you will likely put in it just because there is room…try to stay around 3800 cu. in. it is real hard to go much over 30 lbs. at that size…you will be surprized at the things that you don’t need when there is no room for them…sure got my weight down and i neither missed anything nor did i suffer from strap pain or hip chafing…still got hiker rash tho !!!:smokin

fausa