Date: 2004-03-14
To: Okay, I lied
Miles today: 0.0

Yeah, but a small lie. THIS is my last entry before I go So, I've just gotten all my stuff packed up into my pack, which, BTW, is a fantastic product. I don't know if they frown on you pimping out manufacturers on this site or not, but either way check out the ULA P-2... the pack has unbelievable amounts of storage space, side pockets you can reach without taking the pack off, nifty pockets on the hipbelt, a really wonderful suspension system (padded hipbelt and S-shaped shoulder straps, thick back pad, pre-bent stay... hey, does ANYONE know how to get the stay out of that pack? I couldn't figure this out for the life of me, nor could anyone else who tried), and all this for only 3 pounds and a little over $200.Well, enough rambling about the pack. What I discovered though, when I got everything in there, was that my pack was HEAVY! A particular surprise, given that the "big 5" - sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack, stove + cooking gear, and tent - only weigh a little less than 10 pounds. It's amazing how the little stuff adds up... first aid kit, digital camera, notebook, stove fuel, toothbrush and hand sanitizer and Dr. Bronners and rain gear and... well, you get the idea. And my rain gear is super - less than a pound for the entire suit, though you do sweat in it. Needless to say, me and my scissors got really well aquainted today. I cut every last label out of everything, including the ones on the insides of my gloves. I cut the extra lengths of strap off all my gear - don't be afraid to cut the excess webbing off your brand spanking new backpack... if you don't need it you don't need it! And if you don't know what that pack loop does and will never use it, off with it! I cut the handles off the two stuff sacks I'm taking - both 1.1 oz silnylon, one for food and one for clothes. I abandoned the stuff sacks for my tent and sleeping bag - they shove into the bottom just fine on their own, and to be honest, the pack fits better when I can shove the materials into all the nooks and corners instead of having a rigid bag. Don't cry "rain", either... I'll wrap my sleeping bag in a giant trash bag when it's wet out. I ditched my camp shoes (though I may change my mind about that in the future), went down to one bra and only 1 spare underwear and sock (though still 2 spare sock liners), got rid of my fleece pants (still have capilene mid-weight base layer, hiking tights and rain pants) and my mini-deck of cards. All that crap really adds up, and I didn't NEED any of it. So now my base weight pack, without food or water, is about 17 pounds. I can live with that, though I'm still hoping I'll find a way to make it 15. Or 12 I can't conceive of anything else I can cut though, so that's unlikely. I know in the warm weather, when I can ditch my rain suit for a poncho and my winter weight clothes for summer weight, that I'll be at that 15 I wanted. This is a real lesson in the difference between needing and wanting. You may think you know the difference, but sometimes you don't. A lot of times the line's a little fuzzy. This time, no fuzz. No question. It was a fascinating realizaion to make. I look around me and can't believe how much STUFF everybody has. Well, off to bed with me.