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The guy at the gear shop told me to ditch my heavy pack and I thought he was nuts
Three months ago I was heading out for a 5 day loop in the Smokies and my pack weighed close to 45 pounds. Some guy working at the REI in Knoxville said I should cut down to 25 pounds max and showed me how. I laughed it off because I thought I needed all that stuff like a full cook kit and extra clothes. On day two my hips were raw and I could barely lift the pack over a downed log. I ended up ditching half my gear in a bear canister near the campsite and hiked the last three days way lighter. He was totally right about the extra weight making the trail miserable and now I only bring a hammock, a pot, and some dehydrated meals. Has anyone else had a store employee give advice that actually saved your trip?
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the_piper1d ago
That 45 pound pack was basically a punishment.
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webb.xena1d ago
Used a chest strap once that shifted the weight off my shoulders... helped a ton with that heavy load feeling. Also started packing lighter gear after that trip learned my lesson quick.
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