|
Post by angelhelp on Nov 26, 2012 17:21:33 GMT -7
My dirt-time plans for the weekend were kaput when I found out I was going to be playing and singing Christmas music for the better part of 3 hours on Saturday. I'm not even sure I'll get a chance to go through my bag to pare down any nonessentials. Of well, I'll try again the following weekend.
|
|
|
Post by alex on Nov 26, 2012 17:32:24 GMT -7
Folks ask me everyday..."How are you?" You know the typical greeting we've all heard a hundred times this week....My everyday answer is "I'm short and fat, how are you?"
I am just that...fat. I know I'm out of shape...well...I am round and that's a shape...just not the shape I need to be. I used to hike trails in the N. Ga. mts...but the trails now are few and far between! My last pack weighed in at 38 pounds plus two Nalgene's of water after the last water on trail for the day. When I do get to hike, I am the first to say the group I am with..."Go ahead, I've got my own pace and I can guarantee you that it is slower that yours."
I need to loose weight and I know it.
Thanks for bringing this subject up and into the light of reality.
|
|
|
Post by kutkota on Nov 26, 2012 18:50:12 GMT -7
Something else to add, The pack makes a big difference. A day pack stuffed to the gills will royal suck compared to a proper hiking bag with sternum strap and such.
|
|
|
Post by olebama on Nov 26, 2012 18:59:03 GMT -7
I also think people need to change the way they think about traveling by foot. You have to get out of the time-line/dead-line mentality. If you can only travel 3 miles a day, so be it. If you need to take a day or three off from traveling, it is what it is. The important thing isn’t getting there on a dead-line, it’s getting there alive. Bring the gear you need to get that done and let the traveling get done at the pace the situation dictates. I think you have been reading my mail. My knees give me trouble if I try to walk more than 3 or 4 times per week. So I typically have to walk and then take a day off. It sure is a pain getting old.
|
|
|
Post by cowgirlup on Nov 27, 2012 10:09:39 GMT -7
Something else to add, The pack makes a big difference. A day pack stuffed to the gills will royal suck compared to a proper hiking bag with sternum strap and such. And even then it has to be adjusted right. I just checked my bag over. It has some duplicate items that I can always leave behing if the pack gets too heavy. But the pack doesn't have a change of clothes or a real blanket and it's about the max I can carry unless I redistribute the weight. Otherwise the extra clothes are in the storage tote in the car along with a larger food supply. I also put it on and wore it around the house. It didn't feel quite right so I looked in the mirror and could see some of the straps needed tightened up. It felt a bit more solid after that. I am rethinking the narrow bag that I bought. I got it because I'm not very big but this pack sticks way out behind me and I can feel the weight pulling behind me. Maybe a larger, more square pack would keep the weight distribution closer to my body and keep it more manageable.
|
|
|
Post by WILL on Nov 27, 2012 11:50:10 GMT -7
This pack sticks way out behind me and I can feel the weight pulling behind me. Maybe a larger, more square pack would keep the weight distribution closer to my body and keep it more manageable. Did you try tightening the sinch straps, on either side, just behind your neck.
|
|
|
Post by cowgirlup on Nov 27, 2012 14:32:10 GMT -7
This pack sticks way out behind me and I can feel the weight pulling behind me. Maybe a larger, more square pack would keep the weight distribution closer to my body and keep it more manageable. Did you try tightening the sinch straps, on either side, just behind your neck. I did. When I looked in the mirror I could see there was too much slack so there was a gap between my shoulders and the pack. That helped but the shape of the pack may be all wrong for long term carrying. I might need to wear it more to get used to it. Since it's BOB/GHB I think the most I've worn it is minutes doing yard work. It's not uncomfortable just awkward and I feel like I either need to lean forward or stick my butt out to help hold it up, even with the waist straps tightened.
|
|
|
Post by WILL on Nov 27, 2012 15:24:06 GMT -7
Not good CGU. That would really make you suffer on a hike. Looks like a new pack is on your Christmas list. Make sure you go to a brick and mortar store to buy it. Packs are like shoes, you need to be fitted for the best results.
|
|
|
Post by thywar on Nov 27, 2012 17:15:40 GMT -7
CGU wrote: ''I did. When I looked in the mirror I could see there was too much slack so there was a gap between my shoulders and the pack. That helped but the shape of the pack may be all wrong for long term carrying. I might need to wear it more to get used to it. Since it's BOB/GHB I think the most I've worn it is minutes doing yard work. It's not uncomfortable just awkward and I feel like I either need to lean forward or stick my butt out to help hold it up, even with the waist straps tightened.'' [/quote]
Before you get rid of it we'd like to have side shot profile pictures please.. ;D
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2012 17:25:38 GMT -7
CGU wrote: ''I did. When I looked in the mirror I could see there was too much slack so there was a gap between my shoulders and the pack. That helped but the shape of the pack may be all wrong for long term carrying. I might need to wear it more to get used to it. Since it's BOB/GHB I think the most I've worn it is minutes doing yard work. It's not uncomfortable just awkward and I feel like I either need to lean forward or stick my butt out to help hold it up, even with the waist straps tightened.'' Before you get rid of it we'd like to have side shot profile pictures please.. ;D[/quote] OK...I think I heard her cyber-slap you from here! ;D LOL!!
|
|
|
Post by thywar on Nov 27, 2012 17:33:13 GMT -7
Tis possible.. but it didn't hurt as much because it's such a long distance..
|
|
|
Post by missasip on Nov 27, 2012 17:57:44 GMT -7
Did you try tightening the sinch straps, on either side, just behind your neck. I did. When I looked in the mirror I could see there was too much slack so there was a gap between my shoulders and the pack. That helped but the shape of the pack may be all wrong for long term carrying. I might need to wear it more to get used to it. Since it's BOB/GHB I think the most I've worn it is minutes doing yard work. It's not uncomfortable just awkward and I feel like I either need to lean forward or stick my butt out to help hold it up, even with the waist straps tightened. I'm sure someone will call me on this, but CGU, back in the day when I did a lot of backpacking, we used external frame packs. They had their issues, but it was WAY easier to set the frame up on your body and then add the load. And exactly what you describe is what a proper fitting pack should do. It should sit just below the small of your back. You should have a good waist belt that postions the support web on top of your butt, basically. Your shoulders should not really carry much of the load. The chest strap is there to pull the top of the pack in, so it does not pull, out and down on your shoulders. The wasit belt and back web should carry the load. I have packed as much as 90#. Yep I was tired at the end of the day. My legs were, not my back or shoulders. I have eyeballed many of the newer packs and though the enternal frame has gotten better, it's not near what it should be. You want to carry a heavy load, get a proper frame and then you will see. Just saying... Jimmy
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2012 18:01:21 GMT -7
CGU...WC told me when I was looking for a good pack that I should get a large ALICE with the external frame because of my back. He was right. It is big, it is bulky and it is butt-ugly...but it works great and the way the frame and straps are, it rests on me good and does not strain my back. It can be a little uncomfortable on my bad shoulder if not positioned right, but adding a little padding to it and putting it on right got rid of that issue. I would suggest you go to some place that has them and try one on. Many look down on them, but I must say it works great for me!
|
|
|
Post by angelhelp on Nov 27, 2012 18:50:24 GMT -7
I second the motion on the Alice pack. Ceorlmann made quite the face when he first laid eyes on it here in the livingroom (bad memories of bent frames from bootcamp), but it suits me very well. I've worn mine for hours at a time. Try one on and make sure you stuff it with something to simulate the weight.
|
|
|
Post by offtrail on Nov 27, 2012 18:56:10 GMT -7
My dirt-time plans for the weekend were kaput when I found out I was going to be playing and singing Christmas music for the better part of 3 hours on Saturday. I'm not even sure I'll get a chance to go through my bag to pare down any nonessentials. Of well, I'll try again the following weekend. :'(And :'(but things will get better ;D ;D ;D
|
|