pack size

[two planker]

coming up for the first time and wanted to know what size pack recomended for a day trip to tucks and an overnight trip. I know it depends on how much stuff you bring up but I tend to be a minimalist so I am trying to get some advice from those who have gone before.

[<enzo>]

It depends a lot on just how strong you are, and the conditions on the trail up. For some people, a 60 lb pack is the limit - and it's darned hard to get it down to that weight for anything other than a day trip - for others, 140 lbs is OK! The heaviest I ever carried up there was 102lbs for a week stay, and the last 1/2 mile was a *****! I usually tried to limit it to about 80 lbs for a 2-3 day stay, and 55 for a day trip.

[Super Fry Guy]

I normally use two packs, a big backpack for the hike in/out and a small pack while hiking in the Ravine (hold skies/board, water, snacks, extra layer)

for day trips, I have a 3500 cubic inch pack, that leaves room for all my clothes (while hiking up the trail, your in shorts), food, boots, etc.. normally 50-60 pounds with a snowboard.


for 2-3 day trip, I have a 4500 cu in pack. add more food, clothes, sleeping bag/pad.
normally 80-90 pounds with snowboard.

depending on how much room I have in the big back packs, I either stuff the small pack in the big pack or strap it to the back.

the small pack, I use a Da Kine Heli and Heli Pro packs.

I've seen people hike up with only a 30 pound pack (including skies). if you go a ultra light way, you better KNOW what the weather will be. I would rather bring extra stuff with me and play it safe.

[Atomic-Rooster]

throw in extra food and clothes - always seems to be worth the weight -

[patrollerPaul]

Don't skip extra H20... It's eazy to get dehydrated... I did that my first time...

[RR]

For overnight at the lake I'd bring the monster pack so everthing but the skis fits inside. I use a 5300 REI Newstar (about 7 years old) for that. I just did two daytrips based out of the JDL using my 33L (2300 ci?) and that was more than adequet for lunching on bars and bringing 2L of water. Plenty of room for fleece pants and a hooded primaloft sweater, first aid, extra hat, socks, and gloves along with the 250ml blue agave nectar...the usual. Next time on my way out I'll remember to spill off all but the last 100 ml of water before starting down...that's a lot of vert!

[M@]

I almost always weigh in just over 60pnds.

One year I let my buddy pack some food in my pack, and I weighed in at 80pnds... after about 300 yards I said, "Screw this, I'm going back to lighten the load." I discovered over 10pnds of cheese in the food he had packed. Left most of it at the bottom and get myself down to 70 pnds. That hike up sucked.

I have no numbers for a day trip.

You can check my pack-weight-calculator here though:
http://www.weirdtable.org/~m/tuckerman/PackCalc/default.htm

M@

[Skilasnow]

I have always done day trips. I'm only fairly fit and one days hiking and skiing at Tucks is usually enough for me without wanting to be in TOO much pain. :p
My pack two weeks ago was the heaviest I have ever brought up at about 40# (with two oil cans of Fosters). This included enough clothes for an emergency overnight and a LOT of water. But yeah, once your heading down, ditch any extra water you have exept what you need for the hike down.

[Skilasnow]

I have always done day trips. I'm only fairly fit and one days hiking and skiing at Tucks is usually enough for me without wanting to be in TOO much pain. :p
My pack two weeks ago was the heaviest I have ever brought up at about 40# (with two oil cans of Fosters). This included enough clothes for an emergency overnight and a LOT of water. But yeah, once your heading down, ditch any extra water you have exept what you need for the hike down.