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Post by troutbreath on Feb 17, 2005 11:01:30 GMT -5
For canoe camping, I really don't see much advantage to something more complex than a Duluth style pack with a waist belt. I use a home made (thanks Honey!) #4 and #3 for two people and it works quite well. We also carry fanny packs but have enough room in the Duluth packs for the fanny packs if we want to put them there.
I don't have waist belts on my packs but think about how nice they would be on long portages. I do have sternum straps on them so that they will stay in place when carrying both the pack and a canoe.
You can get more complex, but I don't see a significant advantage to adding the extra weight.
TB
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Post by GladesGuy on Feb 17, 2005 11:18:43 GMT -5
Agreed TB, I'll generally carry the canoe and a pack or two packs if we are forced to carry a total of 3 packs for very extended trips (one stacked on the other). The bar on an external frame gets in the way when transporting gear this way. I would reconsider an external frame if 1.) I was two tripping or 2.) if the portages where very long (5 miles). There is no wrong way, just personal preferences . As they say different strokes for different folks. GG
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Post by Kawishiway on Mar 2, 2005 23:54:15 GMT -5
But what about organization.... in just one pack. Or max two packs, but packed in one. For a solo...trying to get down to one tripping. I'm not there, but I'm trying. One pack, one canoe, one man, one dog, one week.
Organization, to allow quick packing and unpacking. Food, gear, clothing and all. I hope I have you thinking.
Is there a perfect pack? or does it all come down to trial and error and preference?
k
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Post by tugaloo on Mar 3, 2005 10:34:05 GMT -5
It is really not that difficult to pack for a week long backpack trip, but you are not carrying a canoe, paddles and a life vest. If you add that you have to cut some weight from your regular gear to make one trip portages feasible. There is a lot of very lightweight gear available these days. It is very expensive and, because fabrics used are the lightest possible, they are not very stout. I would not figure on keeping a 3 pound tent as long as the old 5.5 pound one. The lightweight one will just not take the same asmount of wear and tear.
How much weight can you safely carry over a bouldery, slippery portage with knee deep bog holes if you slip off the log? Remember, if you break your leg you will lay there in the mud until someone happens by.
From that weight subtract the weight of the canoe, paddle and pfd. Then you have to figure out how to get all your essentials down to that number. You can do it, but is it worth the inconvenience and possible discomfort.
For me, it is not. I like to have a tent that I can sit up in and watch the twight out the front door if the bugs are unbearable. I like to have plenty of dry clothes to change into if I have to travel in the rain for 4-5 days. I like to take my flask of rum. I like to carry a good pair of binoculars to watch wildlife with. Much of that would be left behind if I choose to single trip portage.
I enjoy the scenery on portages. If I meet friendly people, its nice to stop and chat. All that happens on the return trip for the second load and those two 40-50 lb loads are sure more fun than one big 80 lb load. And a lot safer.
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Post by Kawishiway on May 29, 2005 14:03:17 GMT -5
This thread has been extremely useful for me. I have learned a tremendous amount from others and their own unique styles and beliefs. To perfect my own packing and continue with my individual philosophy of how to perfect my packing after much thought and discussion with the fine folks at Duluth Pack, the Rutstrum was the pack I decided on to replace my Number 4 Duluth, for Solo purposes. I went with the pack with out the basket. Rutstrum Gear CruiserThe justifications that sealed the deal for me were as follows. - The deep side pockets, for fuel bottles and such.
- The slip pockets in-between the side pockets and the pack for item such as tent poles and saws
- Ample storage inside the pack for clothing, etc.
- A product I've come to trust over the years.
I am not done perfecting my packing, but it gets better every time I read, study and practice. It gets better with every trip and every year. I'm still planning on taking my Cruiser Combo #3 for my food pack while solo. I like two packs for reasons suggested above, but may try a short trip with just the Rutstrum, just to see how it all works out. A small Thwart Bag may be a great idea as well. I did pick up a couple Ultra light Granite Gear Air-Line bags too. They're great. k
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hoz
Paddler
Posts: 11
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Post by hoz on May 30, 2005 7:53:03 GMT -5
I have been considering using one pack for gear and food but am concerned about food odors telegraphing onto my tent and sleeping bag.
Usually on a two week trip I carry a Duluth #4 for gear and a Cruiser #2 for food . I recently purchased a 60L blue barrel with harness and want to try using it this year. Problem is I travel solo and won't come close to filling it up unless I combine food and gear in one package. Then there is the weight to consider...my entire kit sans canoe, pfd and paddles usually runs 80#. That's a pretty hefty load to be committed to carry across the portage. With split packs I can hump one or two as conditions dictate.
So, I guess I will carry two packs again this year. They are probably lighter than the barrel anyway.
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Post by Kawishiway on Jun 5, 2005 1:49:35 GMT -5
Perfected packing comes down to getting serious. A box weighs an on ounce, a bag weighs 1 /16th of an ounce, or an oz, lol..you get it. Compression sacks help, etc. You just gotta ask yourself, "are you a canoer or a canoeist?" to quote Cliff Jacobsen.
Nylon over cotton, ripping the meal out of the box and putting it in the bag, etc.
When we trip Perfected Packing matters. Your idea of perfection may be different than mine. At times I feel as though I put more time into preparation for the trip than the trip it's self, but that's life eh?
k
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