Smallest backpack suggested

imported
#1

The JMT has been a lifelong dream of mine. I remember when my parents first told me about it I was amazed that people go out into the wilderness for weeks on end. I have been on a few trips in the sierras and have plenty of equipment. My backpack is a Gregory triconi size medium. It has worked well on the 4 to 5 day trips I have been on. Is this pack too small for the long stretch of no resupply? If I lighten up on the tent and extras do you think this pack will work? I am planning on a 2012 hike so I have ample time to acquire some lighter equipment and get more treks under my belt, but if I change packs I want to do so soon so I can get used to it. Any advice or stories?

Andy Mac

#2

That is a really heavy pack (5+ pounds), especially considering its volume (3600ish cu.in.)! Gregory would be better suited making sofas than backpacks.

You’ve got time, so I’d suggest you start refining and lightening your other gear first, and then make a choice on the backpack. It’s always tough to know how big a container you need for your gear until you know exactly what gear you’ll be containing. But for the point of comparison, I’ll let you know that I can comfortably do 150-mile stretches with my 3000 cu.in. pack carrying lightweight gear. YMMV.

Happy Trials.

Matt

#3

Allow me to respond a bit further to your original message:

You asked for stories … I carried the Gregory Palisade from Georgia to Maine. It was too big, too heavy, and too overly engineered for the trip (and I was too naive when talking to the salesperson). As a result, the shoulder-strapped brick hasn’t been on my back since the day I got home.

You mentioned “getting used to the pack” … If you’ll lighten the weight of your pack, as well as the weight of your other gear, I think you’ll find there really isn’t anyting to get used to. It’s unnecessary weight and rigid plastic-spined frames (both of which the Triconi provides in spades) that take a toll on your body. Like a lightweight shoe, a light pack should be just about good to go right off the shelf.

Matt

#4

Matt is right, but just in case you’re inclined to go way the OTHER direction by going with a 1 lb. no-support pack, keep in mind that for the JMT you will be carrying a bear canister. Those don’t work too well in things like Go-Lite Jam packs. I know…i tried it.

The ULA Catalyst, which i think weighs in at something like 2-1/2 or 2-3/4 lbs, works well with mid-level loads (25-35 lbs., or slightly more) that you’ll likely end up carrying on the JMT. For many hikes you’d probably happy with a lighter pack than that. But the Gregory is really best for winter backpacking, base camp treks, times when you’re carrying kids toys, and other times when you have more pounds than miles.

PCT thru hike: 25 lbs., 2500miles = 100 miles/lb = VERY LIGHT pack needed

Base camp with the kids: 50 lbs., 25miles = .5 miles/lb = VERY STRONG pack needed (like your Gregory)

JMT thru hike: 30 lbs., 210miles = 7 miles/lb. = some sort of in between pack, with some basic support and weighing between 2 and 3 lbs. most likely.

mark

#5

I am definitely not taking a 1 lb. no support pack. I intend to take my time and enjoy the hike, probably over 23-26 days (3 rest days included) So I know I’ll need a pack big enough to carry enough food for the long stretch between MTR and Mt. Whitney. I looked at some nice packs today. I didn’t look at the exact names, just getting a feel for what i like. My triconi has very few outside pockets and no easy water access other than the camelback which I really prefer not to use. I also realized that my boots are not going to be up for the trip so I need to get a pair soon and get then nice and molded to my feet.

Andy Mac

#6

I agree with all of the ultralight sentiments. It sounds like you’ve got the right idea. Pack a backpack and go “practice” hiking. If all of the gear fits (volume and weight), then it works. If it doesn’t fit or you’re not happy, than it doesn’t work. You be the judge.

In 2005, I carried a GoLite Jam backpack with a bear canister, a combination described as a fail above. But it functioned just fine for me, as a JMT backpack and as a bear can conveyer. The pack has an extension collar at the top with a vertical webbing strap to hold it closed. The webbing is plenty long and you can pack your pack normally and then finish by clipping the bear can under the webbing. That way, the bear can is the first item you can access when you take a rest stop and allows you to use the bear can for it’s most important purpose…as a camp chair. You’ll look silly, think early 1980’s Donkey Kong silly, with a barrel strapped to the top of your Jam, but it performs beautifully. Once again, if it works for you on the practice trips, then peachy. If it doesn’t make you smile, just do not do it. Hope this helps.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=103530

jewel thief

#7

I concur with Mark - I used the ULA Catalyst on my 2007 JMT hike and loved it. While the Gregory is a good pack - it (as others have said) is really designed for hauling lots of stuff and it is fairly bullet proof - you can throw it around, stomp on it have a bear eat it and it survives. So unless you need this type of pack - save yourself 2 to 2 1/2 lbs and go with a lighter pack. My base weight (including Wild Ideas bearikade canister) was around 15lbs on the JMT. I definitely liked the lighter load as it did not “weigh” me down and allowed me to enjoy the trek. Coming out of MTR you will have lots of food to carry (typically 8 days worth) and if you go with a lighter weight pack, you will need to watch your base weight so that you are not miserable with around 35 lbs of weight for a day or two.

I would recommend a pack where the cannister fits inside the pack for better weight distribution. I always find a correctly loaded pack carries better than one that does not. Sometimes putting the canister on top, causes your pack to be top heavy and not very comfortable. So while you can shave some weight the pack weights, it may not handle the canister well.

Good luck!

beerman

#8

A late response but I just came back from hiking the JMT from Red’s to Le Conte Canyon and out over Bishop Pass. I did the whole trail last year. There is some good advise here. As indicated, in the end you are going to have to decide what works for you and you have plenty of time to do it. When I started looking at packs the salesman at R** told me I needed a pack to handle 50lbs. for the JMT. I was happy I did a little more research, as you are, before deciding. The pack I bought never saw the JMT. I tried it, experimented with gear and found it was too big and heavy for the task at hand (it weighed 3.5lbs.) On this last hike my loaded pack including including bear canister, 5 days of food and water was 24lbs. I recommend keeping an open mind about lighter gear. I think your chances of success are far greater the lighter the load you’re carrying.

Still Lookin

#9

I used a Granite Gear Vapor Trail. It has a lightweight internal frame that lets lift the weight and it fits a Bearikade Expedition sized canister.

rambler

#10

I used the gregory Z65, worked great on the jmt last year. Probably gonna use it again on this round. My max load with food and water was 40 lbs. That weight may seem a little high, but I was with my wife and carried a 2 person tent, cooking gear, and gas. I also lugged a big book and frisbe which won’t be making the trip this time. So

chris d