What BP to get…

Let us know what you are carrying. Those packs are unlikely to be recommended by BPL members because they are pretty darn big and heavy. But let's see what you are carrying first!

Hmm, im not climbing or anything so im just carrying regular hiking stuff…sleeping bag/pad, tent, stove, enough food for 3 weeks(a bunch of freeze dried, nuts, noodles, etc.), maybe crampons (depending on the route we take), poles, etc

Do you know the weight of your gear? And do you already own a pack? Often it's best to cut down on the weight of your other gear first, and save replacing the pack until later. That way you don't end up with a massive pack that is too big for your gear (which has become smaller and lighter and only takes up half or a third the space it used to!).

No, I'm just starting…I have no gear.

Also, we'll need to know what sort of terrain you're moving through… are you off trail? If you are on-trail and wanting to carry a lot of weight (30+ pounds) then two frequently recommended packs are the GG Nimbus Ozone (or Meridian, but it's heavier) or the ULA Catalyst. If you are off trail and need a pack with durable fabric, the ULA Catalyst would fit the bill or perhaps the Osprey Aether. Osprey has a pretty big following, but most BPLers stay away from the Aether because it is too heavy…. they go for the Exos line instead. But if you are carrying heavy loads and bushwacking the Exos might not be a great idea. So it all depends on how much you are carrying and where…

Well I will be in Wrangell St. Elias National Park…I will not be on a trail, its more of a "route"…I dont THINK i will be doing a whole lot of bushwhacking, but I'm not positive…

Ah, ok. No gear at all yet. Great! Then you should concentrate on your other gear first. Then when you know what gear you are getting you can ask for recommendations on a pack which will fit you well for the amount of gear you have to carry.

So, work out what tent (or tarp), sleeping bag, sleeping pad and cook system you want to go with.

If you have no idea and want some suggestions, maybe start a new thread. People here will generally be very happy to kit you out with suggestions for everything you need. But be prepared to tell us what temperatures, weather and trip length you are expecting. And how much you have to spend. There are many, many options so it's important to know more about your situation. There's no "silver bullet" gearlist that lots of people are using.

But if you want a bit of an idea of what people are using, check the "Community Gear Lists" link on the right hand side of the page. Also, google "Adventure Alan" and on his site you'll find a really nice gearlist that is under 10 pounds baseweight and very comfy.

Also, another great place to start is Mark Verber’s website (google it). He has lots of great advice and will give you a great idea of the different options available. Between Mark’s and Alan’s site you should get a good intro to lightweight backpacking and then you can come back and ask some more questions over here at BPL.

Actually, here’s the link to the gear pages on Mark’s site.

Hey Ben, just to clarify – you are going to carry 3 weeks worth of food at the beginning of your hike? That's going to be some serious weight…assuming 1.5-2 lbs/day, then you have 3 weeks worth of fuel etc.

Ashley is right to ask more specifics about your trip…you left out lots of details.

The thing is, the packs you mention are really big and heavy. Most of the people here will tell you to pick something lighter right off the bat. Of course, it is going to be a function of how much weight you are going to carry.

So, you need to figure out what type of conditions you will be in order to put together a sufficient gear list. Then based on your gear weight and your food weight you can select what volume and support will be required.

If you really have absolutely no gear, you can post the expected weather conditions and people can post their gear lists that they have used in similar conditions. That should get the ball rolling.

Welcome aboard. Have an open mind…the people here are very knowledgeable.

Edit: Geez…4 new posts by the time I finished typing this one!

If you posted a number ammount, the time of year and place you are going I'm sure we could all put togeather a list for you.
A pack is only important as what goes inside of it. Think of it like building a house (a house on your back), you start from the inside and work your way out.
Sean

If you plan on carrying 21 days worth of food plus fuel that's getting awfully close to 50lbs right there. Add the rest of your gear plus your pack and you'll easily have over 60lbs to carry. Not sure that's such a good idea…

Resupply points perhaps?

Although I like my 2008 REI Cruise UL 60 pack I think the Osprey Atmos and similar Osprey packs are probably state-of-the-art in lightweight backpacks today.

Do NOT get a frameless pack that relies on a closed cell foam mattress for a "frame". Simply put – with over 20 lbs. of load they do not work to transfer the load to your hipbelt, PERIOD. After 30 to 45 minutes the load slips as does the foam.

Eric
P.S. I see others are advising you to get a large pack for heavier loads. I own a Dana Designs Terraplane, one of the original "big load" packs. So if that's what you need check out McHale ($$$) and Gregory($). I had a Gregory that lasted me 12 years before I sold it. It's still being used!

A lot of guided trips up there recommend big expedition packs.

The Boras are good packs as far as handling massive weight and being pretty weatherproof and durable. But they are heavy. The Aether is more comfortable at a lesser load weight, but not as bomb-proof.

If that is what you really need email me rayestrella AT hotmail DOT com as I have a Bora and an Argon I can get rid of.

I have an aether I use for big loads and I love it. It weighs a ton but "carries light" with a big load. I've carried close to 50#'s in it (It was along time ago all right!) and while I suffered, the pack held up well.

.

im not sure why i said i dont have any gear, i do have a little…my tent is an MSR hubba hubba, my stove is a Jetboil personal cooking system, the average temperature will be 50 degrees, im not sure what my sleeping bag is called but it is an LL Bean synthetic 20 degree…

I assume you mean 50 pounds and not 50 stone. If not, I congratulate you on being the incredible Hulk. I don't know of anyone who could even bench press 700 pounds, let alone a pack that could carry it. ;)

As others have said, that is a very long trip without a resupply. At that point, trying to save a few ounces off the pack weight could result in a very uncomfortable trip. It is much more important to find a pack that can carry that weight and is reasonably comfortable for you. That being said, some packs are more efficient than others. If you can afford it, I would look into getting a McHale pack. These are custom packs which are built to your body shape (they aren't cheap). Many of the models are designed to carry very large loads, but are built without useless bells and whistles (and strong, lightweight materials).

As far as other gear is concerned, I would try and lighten your load by going with either a new shelter (tarp tent) or a down bag. The Hubba Hubba is a fine tent, but a double walled tent with a synthetic bag is a bit of overkill. If you replace the bag with a similar rated down bag (Feathered Friends, Marmot, Western Mountaineering, etc.) then you could save significant weight (although it will cost you a few hundred bucks). I think it would be cheaper (although you would probably save less weight) if you got a nice tarp tent.

The jetboil is heavy, but for a trip like that, it might make sense. Almost everyone on this site uses alcohol, esbit or wood in the summer. However, for a very long trip, the weight of the fuel starts adding up, and the canister stove (or better yet, a gas stove) starts making sense. Since a canister stove is much easier, and the jetboil does save fuel, it may just be easiest to keep using it (for this trip, anyway).

I own an Osprey Aether 85 and have used it quite a bit. I have carried a load as heavy as 80 pounds with my pack; however I do not suggest you do that. Sounds like you are going on a NOLS trip am I correct. I used my Aether 85 while on a Sierra Institute trip and this pack was perfect for the heavier loads. I am a big guy, and being a pack mule is not at all fun. This pack is great for bushwhacking but it has way too much room inside of it. This pack is made for people who carry their entire home with them. Since you are going to have no resupply for 21 days that is quite a long time. This bag is great for putting two bear canisters in and a lot of insulated equipment. This bag is good for carrying over 40 pounds but nothing less. Not a bag to buy. Too heavy. Too heavy. Too heavy.