testing myself.. didnt do that great.

[Echo2]

I did a 12 miler with the scouts last fall....with a 25 +/- pack....

At first I though I wouldn't make it.....then I was afraid I would.....those kids tried to kill me and the cop we had with us wouldn't do anything about it but laugh.

Very correct on having good straps on your pack.....internal frame is nice....and a belt is the bomb....lets your hips help.

I have taken a small fanny pack and modified it a bit so that I can clip it on the front....to disperse the weight a bit.

The one thing it taught me is....making the hike is a bitch.....and would be more so with the weight of a long gun.

[Brother Bill]

I started a thread not long ago about this same thing. I have a bush bag that comes in at about 10lbs without water and I try to get out at least once a week. I take a small hike and then set up camp to work on skills ie; fire, shelter, knot work. Even with doing that I seem to have put on a few lbs. and the wife and I have started a workout plan..

[PT945]

Awesome analysis, more people need to do this.. and 18lbs is VERY VERY light

Work on it! :)

Your absolutely correct, that is a light pack. And I too think more people should do this. It really pays to find your weaknesses now not when your life depends on it.

[Diesel]

Awesome analysis, more people need to do this.. and 18lbs is VERY VERY light

Work on it! :)

[PT945]

I now realize I am out of shape and need to work on my endurance.
I wanted to see how I would fair, in a walk carrying my ghb, it weighs just under 18 pounds. I decided on 5 miles for my walk, because that's about the average distance I am away from home give or take a mile. I also wanted to do this on less than normal sleep and not having eaten breakfast, I did this to give it a SHTF Type twist.
I have never carried my bag on my shoulders its always in the truck .
Here is what I learned from this experience.
1 shoulder fatigue at 2.4 miles, so I need to look into a more comfortable bag.

2 I need to walk more than I have been.

3 hitting someone's dog with an asp is not a good idea if the person is outside. Tell this story later.

4 I didn't get any leg fatiguing. But my hips and glutes burn a little. I was very winded so stopping smoking is on my list.




4.