Pack Weight

[Patrick]

From those that have carried their own gear with no porter, what is the maximum wieght I would be expecting to carry. Some suggest between 10 and 15kg. Would this be correct.

Also, what food rations are we expected to carry? The web site suggestes that porters carry food for five days with a aresupply at that point. Does this include those who are carry their own gear?

Thanks.

[aussie]

Hi Patrick, on average when I send off trekkers to walk on the trail, the guys who carry their own packs more often than not weigh in around the 15-16kg mark.

The trekkers who hire porters, will average around the 16-19kg mark depending on whether they are male or female. I dont know why (haha) but us women seem to carry more than our male counterparts. In fact I have heard porters joke that its harder to work for a female than a male due to this fact alone.

I can relate to this…just think we need our mirror for starters!!!

When we meet our trekkers before they head out, everyone will be handed one days rations. Then everday thereafter they will be given a new pack every morning depending on the number of days they trek. Each pack weighs just under 1kg. Food porters then carry the remaining food until it is handed out.

Hope this makes sense, if not, please post another message.

[dan]

Hi Aussie.
For guys who carry their own packs – did you mean to say that they "more often than not carry 15-16Kg"?
Thanks
Dan

[dan]

…more the point to my question I suppose is: For those of us carrying our own packs, what do you think our target pack weight should be? Ie. ideally not exceeding what Kg?
Thanks

[aussie]

Hi Dan, the main emphasis is to keep your weight down to as low as possible as on those big hills you will curse the extra thing you added just cause you thought you may need it.

Five guys headed out last weekend and their packs averaged 16kg which is the ideal weight if you are carrying your own especially if you are not army or someone who carries packs often as a course of making their living.

PNG porters and guides carry a lot more than this despite their smaller frames but they feel comfortable walking the mountains as this is where they call home and they are used to carrying heavy loads and walking at the same time during their normal everyday lives.

With regards to trekkers who carry their own packs, firstly they are walking in terrain they are unfamiliar with….having a pack on your back also affects your balance….thirdly fitness plays a part as well as it depends on how you pull up each day and the last thing you need is a load over 16kg on your back.

I do not classify myself as fit, but I carried around 10kg in my day pack on my own trek and there were times I wish I had left stuff at home but I did ok.

Hope this makes sense.

[dan]

Thanks for the info.

I'm having serious trouble getting my pack weight down to just 16Kg, but would love to! I've held to the equipment list provided on this site and reviewed it several times to ensure no extras. With 3kg of water, my pack is 25Kg.

It would be brilliant if you could provide a rough weight breakdown of items in a pack of just 16Kg. I can then work towards that as my goal.
Eg.
3kg water
2.5kg tent
2kg mat
1.5kg sleeping bag
2kg clothes
1kg electrolite (Eg. gatorade)
1kg 1st aid kit
….and so on.

I think all trekkers would hugely appreciate this info.
Thanks in advance.
Dan

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