REI has several packs in the 50-60 liter range that weigh less than 3 pounds. A 35 liter pack isn't going to weigh much less unless you get a frameless pack.

The size of pack you can use ultimately depends on what you put in it. If you have a bulky synthetic sleeping bag, you'll need a bigger pack to fit it inside. Some people tie their bags outside, but I think that's foolish because it's much harder to protect if it rains.

I like going lightweight, but I'm not crazy about the way you're thinking about things. You'll only spend 2 half days hiking, but 3 nights in camp. Since you'll be spending more time in camp, I think you should focus on being more comfortable in camp than on the hike.

 

There's really too many factors to answer this. Is your sleeping bag a big 5lb synthetic bag or a small 2lb down bag? Are you bringing all dry/dehydrated food or heavy wet food? Sleeping pad for the hammock? How much water do you have to carry? It is possible to take a larger pack and still not fill it. It just takes discipline. I'd error on the side of using a larger pack and just trying very hard to keep the weight down.
good luck

 

Your total pack weight (clothing + gear + food + water) should not weigh more than 35 lbs for a person of your size and weight. What quality gear you have often determines how small it packs down. Cheap stuff is big and heavy, good stuff is small and light. I recommend going to an outdoor store that sells a variety of packs and no kidding, just take all your gear with you into the store and try packing it into a few packs to see which size is the smallest that can still hold all of your stuff. The stores don't mind- it's fun for them to actually help you do something like that instead of just giving the same sales spiel over and over. Plus, while all your gear is there, they can make good suggestions for how to lighten or reduce the volume of your load for the best dollar value. For instance, if they notice you have a huge cookset with 3 pots and 2 pans, selling you a .75 liter cooking pot/mug to replace it will make your load both lighter and smaller for a relatively small amount of money. But you might not know the options until you have all your stuff out for somebody with more experience to examine.

 

35 liters should be fine. Shouldn't be carrying more the 30% of your body weight anyhow.

The primary consideration will be water, which is heavy. You'll need to carry enough to get you to a resupply point. If you are going in a group you can split up some of the gear. For example you only need one water filter. You only need one stove. And so on. Dehydrated food weighs very little.

If you don't mind stinking, all you need is extra underwear and socks. Long sleeve shirt with roll up sleeves and full length pants with zip off legs avoids needing to take two sets of clothes.

What are you hanging the hammocks from?

 

35 liters is just right. just pack a lot more light weight materials then you normally would. if it breaks so what you can probably still use part of it till you get home.

my pack consists of just a few things.
camel back pouch for water
Swiss Army Valcano Stove with cup and metal canteen (2nd water source)
4 Inch knife with sheath and FireSteel & 20 feet paracord rapped around it
Multitool with saw blade
6 20 foot lenghts of 550 cord and 1 100ft length in a untangleable donut roll
Poncho
Headlamp + Batteries (both lights uses same batteries)
Flashlight + Batteries
Compass + maps
Small Fire Kit (lighter, vasoline cotton balls, matches, Tealight Candle)
Recon sleeping bag
Hamock with 2 8x10 tarps
first aid kit
Scout Survival 22/410 or AR-7 survival Rifle (where allowed) with 100 rounds of ammo and if the scout 5 410 shells of various shot types.


Food is as follows
4 packs of ramen
4 pack of favorite oatmeal
2 packs of jerky
4 chubs (a sausage lite meat available with the jerky products gives me some meat for the ramen)
2 packs of flavored rice
Trail mix
Drink Mixes

this food setup gives me about 2200 callories a day for food. of course it is not a lot for high activity days but as long as i save the cooking till i get to camp it fills me up before i go to bed.

 

I know where you are going and I know when.

35 L or 100 L mox nix

WATER is you overriding concern. UNLESS you are positive that drinking water is available. If its not then unless you bring it you will DIE!

As for size of ruck depends upon what you carry. I am impressed you mentioned 35L so you appear to be thinking somewhat small. But will what you intend to bring fit?

If on foot and for a duration of 3 days you do not NEED much more than a small butt pack.

Here is one I carry for personal gear on trips of any duration. THen my ruck carries my foodstuffs and water. That varies in size depending upon how long and expected water enroute.

So my recommendation is 2 packs. Everything I want will fit in the pack pictured below, be it a overnight or over month.

CAUTION many on here are followed by a 18 wheeler loaded with their gear for an overnight trip, don't fall into that trap.

 

35 L or 100 L mox nix

what??????

 

Normally I bring a 65 liter pack for multiday trips like that. However I own an ultralight pack that weighs like 3 lbs. But actually tomorrow I'm heading out for a 4 day trip with just my 30 liter daypack. Another Ultra light pack. So yes you can do it, just have to pay attention to what you pack. Food and water alwas take up the most room. But if you are willing to limit your food and keep it simple (I usually eat gorp and dried fruit only), and then able to refill water on the trail (i carry only a 3L water bladder) you should be fine. You also have plenty of time to test out your kit on various hikes.

Also I've never really had a problem of my 65L pack weighing to much, but I use ultralight gear that I do pay a pretty dime for. So depends on what you buy. GOod luck on your trip though.

 

Water. Water. Water.

3 days of water in hot conditions. At the very least you're looking at up to 2 litres a day just for drinking and cups of tea. More if you are taking dehydrated food, pasta or rice dishes. Lets say you dont need food for cooking and call it 6 litres.

Food for 3 days. Space will vary depending on what you take, but its gonna take up a fair bit of space unless youre just eating packet food and that requires water.

Cooking gear
Sleeping bag
Hammock
Socks
First aid kit
Rain jacket

I dont think its doable, but if you can fit it your pack then go ahead.

 

Water. Water. Water.

3 days of water in hot conditions. At the very least you're looking at up to 2 litres a day just for drinking and cups of tea. More if you are taking dehydrated food, pasta or rice dishes. Lets say you dont need food for cooking and call it 6 litres.

Holy crap man, are you trying to kill the OP?! In very hot and dry conditions, you'd need a lot more than 2 liters a day. Depending on level of activity, you may need almost over 1 liter per hour. I've done my share of endurance sports in 100+ heat, and downing 2.5 gallons in 8 hours to simply stay hydrated to a healthy level is not uncommon. However, for typical summer backpacking, I plan on using between 5 and 7 liters a day for drinking and cooking.

 

Yeah, you can totally do a 35L for 3 days. Just don't bring any extra clothes besides socks, underwear, and a lightweight pair of shorts! :thumb:

 

To cut down on weight and size of your pack, you could take freeze dried foods. I don't know if any of the people going have a water filter. If so, you won't have to carry a lot of extra water with you. That is assuming there are water sources available.

 

Instead of worrying about liters, worry about weight. A 3 lb 60 liter backpack is easier to carry than a 5 lb 30 liter backpack. Get the lighter pack and even if its half empty you will be glad you did. REI carries several extra small packs (just shopped with my wife for one earlier in March) She liked the Osprey 60 liter XS (which was very light) but ended up going with the Gregory 60 liter XS (also super light) because the straps had more padding and fit her shoulders and hips better.

 

Thanks for all of your input everyone! There will be water where we are staying but we will be bringing water to drink for the 12-mile hike down. Needless to say, we will refill our containers on the 3rd day before we leave. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna ride a donkey for the climb up. We went to REI and I tried on a 55 liter bag filled with 10 lbs of those weighted pillow and even that alone felt heavy to me. I walked all around the store with it while shopping for hiking boots and other gear. I haven't bought the bag.

I am going with a group of 6 and not carrying the cooking stove and pans, another person is responsible for that.

What I will be carrying:
- Water to drink for the 12 mile hike
- MRE (mountainhouse dehydrated meal types) and snacks
- clothing, socks, bandanna
-swimwear
-water shoes
-first aid kit
-flashlight and lantern
-small portable seat (the tripod type that's small)
-hammock

 

What I will be carrying:
- Water to drink for the 12 mile hike
- MRE (mountainhouse dehydrated meal types) and snacks
- clothing, socks, bandanna
-swimwear
-water shoes
-first aid kit
-flashlight and lantern
-small portable seat (the tripod type that's small)
-hammock

That'll fit in 35L, easy -- if the clothing's reasonable. Put everything else in first (including the socks), then decide how much (other) clothing you'll take by how much space is left over.

If you're buying a bag, I recommend that for smaller bags, you get one that's just one big compartment. They hold more, and you can't put enough into a small bag to need the organization of multiple compartments.

re: your list. . . . bug spray, sunscreen, hat (one with a brim that'll keep sun off your ears and neck) . . . . and get a camp towel too. Get the biggest camp towel they've got. You can cut a big one down (and have two) if it turns out to be too big. One that's too small is just too small.

The camp seat did kinda jump out as a "You're gonna lug THAT 12 miles?" item, but the load still looks more than reasonable even with it, so . . . whatever floats your boat.

 

Well if ya wanna save some weight lose the lantern and chair. but that's my opinion. if ya feel they are worth the weight then take them. It's all about what you are comfortable with.

 

Also lose the extra clothing and the water shoes.
You're only going for three days, wear the same pants and shirt every day. Take 1 pair of socks for each day including what you wear the first day, and one change of underwear total besides what you wear the first day, also a swim suit if you're shy and don't want to swim in your regular clothes. Bare feet will be fine in the water. Be wary of wearing shorts as your legs can sunburn badly pretty quickly, making hiking a painful ordeal.
Hiking in and out your feet will sweat a lot. Plan on changing socks about half way through the hike, tie the wet socks you take off to the pack to dry. After they're dry, you can wear them again.
Even though others are carrying the cook gear, you'll still want your own spoon or fork or spork, a drinking cup, and maybe a plate. Plastic and paper work well. I prefer to take my own eating utensils so I can wash them and know they won't make me sick later.
As for the pack, get one that will hold all your essential gear, nothing more. That will discourage taking stuff that would be "nice" but not necessary, adding unnecessary weight.
You'll want to be certain that there are at least two water purifiers or filters going with the group and that there is water sources available where you're going so you can refill water bottles. You can't carry enough water for a three day hike there, not at that time of year.

 

I would go with something larger for several reasons. If you are going on three day treks, who says later you might want to try a week long one and will certainly need the space. Dont limit yourself to what you think you may or may not need. As long as the pack has the basic survival items like water purification, fire starting methods, more than one of course, first aid and a good amount of cordage, then determine how much food you can pack inside and determine if it will be enough for your journey. Lastly, just because you purchase a larger pack, doesnt mean you have to fill it up. One more thing, you can put small items in the cargo pockets of your pants, like tissue and energy bars, cell phone etc etc.

 

Thank you, these are very good points! Yes, the camping trip is only three days but that doesn't mean we will not go on longer trips later where a bigger bag would be useful. The only thing I'm worried about is if I get a bigger bag I *MIGHT* fill it up. I guess I will just have to find the discipline not to overpack it on this shorter trip in August.

 

Thanks EdD270, I forgot to add that on my list but yes I will be carrying my own bowl/cup/spork! I found some collapsible bowls/cups that my friend who's been to this hike also uses. Yes there is a water source in there. I was told I will really need the water shoes, hmn...

 

Don't forget a tarp to put over the hammock for shade or afternoon shower that pops up. Light nylon or a 2 person sized survival blanket would be good and only weighs a couple ounces, it will be a big life saver/comfort item.

 

Looking at your list there is a couple things I would add;
1. A fixed blade knife like a mora.
2. Electrolytes!!!!! I always keep several Vitalyte packs in my bag. Drinking as much water as stated above will flush your system of electrolytes. They need replaced and ypou will feel 100 times better if you use them.

 

You can easily do 3 days with a 35 L pack with a little planning if theres a water source available. Its even easier in hot weather as the clothing choices will be lighter and less bulky. Many people go much longer than 3 days with 35 L packs, but you have to plan carefully. Look up ultralight backpacking sites, there are many trip journals, gear lists, etc. to help you get ready.

BTW: My 3 day "grab and go" bag is a 35 L.

 

This may not answer your question completely, but its a good rule of thumb to go by.

Have your bag fit your gear, instead of having your gear fit your bag. Basically meaning, pick the supplies you are going to need, then get a bag that fits the supplies. Otherwise, if you have a small pack first, you may not pack sufficient supplies. On the other end of the spectrum, if you have a large pack first, you may feel the need to over-pack extra supplies that you wouldn't normally need.

Another aspect is your knowledge/skill base. "The more you know, the less you tow."

Lastly, Everyone in the group should make a list of their gear, get together and determine who will bring which items. Some items don't need to be brought in triplicate. The group doesn't need 12 lighter, 15 pots n pans, etc. (this may help lighten everyones loads) For example, everyone doesn't need to bring a 12'X12' tarp, If 3 people have one, find out which is lighter. I'm sure you can see the direction I'm going with this.

Don't forget the sunscreen, sunburn spray, and emergency ice packs!

Yall have fun and be safe!

 

Another tip..... try to think ultr-light/multi purpose.

Instead of a chair think foam pad. I cut one out of an old foam sleeping pad, made it to fit the pad compartment in my pack. Soft back support and a more than ample light weight seat!

If you're taking an open hammock instead of one with bug-screening, you might consider a silk sleeping bag liner.

If you can have an open fire, I'd ditch the lantern, or swap it for a back-up headlamp.

At least one person in the group needs to bring a small repair kit with items such as (mini multi-tool, small roll of duct tape, dental floss, super glue, wire, sewing needle, hot glue stick, etc)

When you get back from your trip, get back on this thread and tell us how it went. Let us know any pros/cons to your set-up, what you would or wouldn't do differently, etc!

 

Always take a water filter!

 

I would do some training before you go. If you tested a pack at REI and thought that 10 pounds of weight were heavy, then you may have problems doing a long trek in the heat (even if you have a lightweight setup).

I usually day hike with a very heavy pack, so I can get my legs and lungs built up for backpacking season. Do a few day hikes with a loaded down pack and get used to the weight. Last thing you want to do is to struggle during the trip and have to turn around and go home.

 

Thanks, we have been doing practice hikes on weekends. So far we've hiked in Santa Monica the one with the waterfalls in the end and at Runyon Canyon in Hollywood. I will practice with a pack next time .

 

Ever heard of maslows law? You'll go under dressed and I guarantee there will be freak snow storm. Guaranteed!

 

Did Maslow state a law like that? I didn't study that much of him, only his "Hierarchy of Needs" in psychology class (and fire instructor classes).

Anyway, yes, always be prepared, but be sensible about it which means carrying a little more than what you think you'll need. You cannot adequately prepare for a freak snow storm when your greatest danger is going to be sun exposure and heat emergencies, which are just as able to kill you as hypothermia. Preparing for snow at Havasupai in August would be extreme, but being prepared for rain is prudent whether rain is expected or not (lightweight rain gear, lightweight shelter, emergency bivy, etc.). Some (myself included) consider an ultralight umbrella instead of rain gear in the desert.

 

Just reiterating what some others have said and throwing some personal opinion in... A 35L pack should be sufficient. You should easily be able to fit enough for a 3 day hike in there. If it were me, I would take 2.5 gallons of water, a small jar of peanut butter, a smaller jar of jelly, some bread, 2 dehydrated dinners(4 servings) or a lot of pasta and some butter, 6 packs of oatmeal, some cliff bars and some better tasting snacks, my camping mug, a spoon, a knife, my medium sized first aid kit(with bandages, aspirin, neosporin, gauze and some tape), a very small camp stove if you aren't allowed to open burn, 2 lighters, a sleeping bag, lightweight long sleeved shirt and pants, thermal long underwear, a tarp and hammock, paracord, a flashlight and extra batteries, playing cards, a notepad and pencil.

2.5 gallons of water alone weighs 20 pounds, keep this in mind, but also that you don't need to carry as much water on the way out if there's a source available and you know how much water you used on the way in, just don't cut it too close. The most important things IMHO for a long hike or camping trip are:

Having everything you NEED
Ensuring the people you are with have everything they NEED
Keeping the pace manageable for everyone
Having fun


The kind of people you are going with and the pace they might try to set is sort of out of your control. Especially if your pack seems heavy to you before you go out, just make sure that you aren't going to be struggling to keep up after the first few miles. Keep in mind that when hiking, the slowest should be leading.

 

Thank you so much for the detailed suggestions. Printing this out to guide me. We have been hiking on weekends (4 miles) and climbing a little to prepare me and the other girl that isn't as experienced. The trip to Havasupai is in August. In late June we will be camping @ Thornhill Broome for three days for more practice.