backpack packing INSANITY and organization!

[twochordcool]

I am trying to figure out if I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or not!

I think I am the most UNORGANIZED backpack packer around!

I own a Lowe Alpine Contour IV 80 + 15, and I STILL feel like I could use more room!

I KNEW I should have bought a larger pack with a generous amount of side pockets, but I got "sold" this pack!

I am STILL interested in the 6000 ci Mountainsmith Circuit II - with PLENTY of side pockets - for HALF of what I paid for the Lowe Alpine.

Here is the problem -

I place everything I feel that I need in my backpack - as wisely as possible - and when it is COMPLETELY stuffed I STILL have vital things that I have to find room for!

Granted, I like to bring luxuries, but NOTHING that I bring is something I care to do without.

And so packing my backpack is a stressful, crazy, time-consuming (and I do mean TIME-CONSUMING!) process.

I usually switch things around and delete a few things and finally get it all in there - but not before I am ready to be institutionalized!

I a also frustrated with the lack of straps and bungee points for attaching external things on my Lowe Alpine - usually my small bow saw wrapped in my tarp / groundcloth.

Is it as crazy for anybody else here?

It would be comforting knowing that I am not alone!

This is supposed to be soothing for the soul - not an added stress!!!

Any suggestions?

[Neil]

Any suggestions?

Post your pack list and the forum experts'll perform surgery on it like they did mine. Make sure you put EVERYTHING you pack on your list. No "editing out" certain items.

[twochordcool]

OK, here it goes!:

backpack!

stoves

fuel canisters

mess kit

utensils

sponge

insulated cup (for coffee / tea / hot chocolate)

water filter

nalgene bottles

3 mini mag-lites

head lamp

spare light bulbs in zip-locs

digital camera

AA batteries

stuff sacks

nylon cord

bungee cords

straps for attaching things to backpack

saw for cutting wood w / tarp

work gloves

coffee percolator

tent

sleeping bag

fleece sleeping bag liner

thermarest pad

pillow

topographic maps

guidebook for region

TOILET PAPER !!!

baby wipes

pocket knife

matches, emergency lighter and fire-starter (in zip-locs)

deodorant

tooth brush / paste

boots

socks (extras)

underwear

long underwear (polypro medium weight)

long underwear (polypro expedition weight)

pants

2 hats

rainwear?

2 pair gloves

parka or jacket

fleece shirts

gaiters

tall kitchen trash bags (for things that MUST be dry!)

a few zip-loc bags

can opener

mini broom for leanto cleaning

bear vault

************************************************** ********

FOOD IDEAS:

oatmeal

applesauce

dried fruit

ravioli and sauce

chicken corn chowder / canned chicken / corn

pepperoni / cheddar

elbow mac / tuna / celery / onion / mayo

chicken salad (chicken / celery / onion / mayo)

bagels / creamcheese

coffee / creamer

peanut butter & fruit preseves

bread - 7 Grain!

chocolate

nuts

hot chocolate

coffee

tea

[Riosacandaga]

deodorant ?

you have a lot of plurals.... stoves - nalgene bottles - 3 mag lites-.... seems like too much..

how long of a trip ?

[Rik]

Cut your toothbrush in half and leave the toilet paper at home.

[Rik]

Pillow, guidebook, coffe percolator, deoderant, fleece bag liner, mini broom. And what is with the multiples like stoves/cannisters. How long are you going for? If you aren't willing to leave things behind you might just need a bigger pack.

[Judgeh]

Mess kit? This ain't the Boy Scouts.

Skip the deodorant, too.

[twochordcool]

deodorant ?

you have a lot of plurals.... stoves - nalgene bottles - 3 mag lites-.... seems like too much..

how long of a trip ?

Usually 4 days.

I usually skip the deodorant!

Stoves - I bring 2 light Primus Technotrails - both fit in my MSR mess kit. I feel the need to have 2 in case one fails.

I usually bring 2 nalgene bottles - one is for water and one is a night-time bathroom!

I guess I over-do it on the mag lights, but they are mini-mags...and again, these are things I like to have "backups" of - even backups to backups! They are small enough.

[twochordcool]

...and leave the toilet paper at home!

And use what?

And in the case of a personal disaster of some sort?

I don't know about you but I start to feel really miserable when I start to get too "dirty" in that area of my body!

And for 4 days?!

[Rik]

And use what?

And in the case of a personal disaster of some sort?

I don't know about you but I start to feel really miserable when I start to get too "dirty" in that area of my body!

And for 4 days?!

Snowballs!

[twochordcool]

Pillow, guidebook, coffe percolator, deoderant, fleece bag liner, mini broom. And what is with the multiples like stoves/cannisters. How long are you going for? If you aren't willing to leave things behind you might just need a bigger pack.

Pillow - very comforting!

Guidebook - first to go if I run out of room - I'll bring the map.

Coffee perculator - you don't want to be near me before I have my coffee! A non-negotiable luxury!

Deodorant - usually stays home!

Fleece sleeping bag liner - keeps my sleeping bag clean and gives me 10 or 15 more degrees of warmth.

Mini broom - really small and light and great for sweeping filthy muddy lean-tos.

2 stoves and enough canisters of gas to make sure I don't run out - approximately 1 per day.

[twochordcool]

Mess kit? This ain't the Boy Scouts.

Skip the deodorant, too.

MSR messkits are great - 2 people can cook and eat from them and I store my stoves and pocket knife in it when packed away.

Deodorant usually stays - my girlfriend knows I can be a "cochino"!

[twochordcool]

You guys have pointed out what may be excesses -

do you see anything missing?

[Riosacandaga]

missing... hmmmmm... I've got to get past the 3 mini mag lites AND a headlamp. For me, MO, the headlamp is enough and it better be a small one.
I do agree with the TP... must have. If I'm traveling light loose the pillow, creamer .. wait wait . sorry .. what's missing ....? 6000 ci Mountainsmith Circuit II !!!!

[Dick]

A few quick thoughts:

When are you going, what time of year, and for how long?

I will ALWAYS have TP (and sell some to others who have forgotten at $.50/sheet!). I'm sure Rik was joking. I'd like to see him use snowballs. Second thought, no I wouldn't!

Describe your "mess kit."

Why the plurals (canisters, stoves, bottles, etc.)

Utensils: I use strong plastic ones (not the cheap "party" kind), usually only a fork or a spoon.

What's the sponge for?

Why an insulated cup? A simple plastic one will do.

Water filter: good (what model?). I also carry iodine and Vitamin C backup.

Mag-lites: I find them mostly useless except for inside a tent. Why three, if you also have a headlamp?

Stuff sacks: how many, and what do you use them for?

Nylon cord: how much, how thick?

Saw: what kind?

Tarp: how large, how heavy?

Coffee percolator: instant will do if you're into weight savings.

Tent: size, model? Share component carrying with others. Consider a tarp instead?

Sleeping bag: model, weight, temp rating?

fleece sleeping bag liner

Thermarest pad: I never use one except in winter. Z-Rest works for me in other seasons (3/4 length).

Pillow: use clothes instead, inside a stuff sack.

Guidebook for region: photocopy the pages you need and put them in plastic.

Baby wipes: remove from packaging

Deodorant: why bother? Baby wipes should do.

Socks (extras): how many pairs?

2 hats: why two?

Rainwear? (eliminate the question mark!)

2 pair gloves (or more in winter)

Fleece shirts: lighter one that wicks moisture?

tall kitchen trash bags (for things that MUST be dry!): use for pack cover, sleeping bag.

can opener: why bring cans? Dehydrate your food, bring packaged foods (with minimal packaging) or freeze-dried.

Mini broom for leanto cleaning: use a sock or cloth.

Bear vault: if solo, consider the solo model.


Dick