Packs

My next gear movement is going to be... Replace Fairydown Jacket, with 230gm Marmot *less bulk* Replace tent with Bivy :( *Less bulk* Purchase winter Sleeping bag *heaps more bulk* Replace Prolite 3 with Exped down mat *More bulk probably*

I think we all pay the same price eventually. It's whether we think it was worth it that really matters I guess. As for an "old guy"? Sadly I fall all too comfortably into that category myself at 59 years young. I firmly believe, and always have, in self sufficiency in the hills, hence the tendency to pack everything bar the kitchen sink, though at times I wasn't so sure that that hadn't been slipped in as well, however, it's time for some serious downsizing for South America, as I wish to not only enjoy the trip but also want be able to walk again after it.

Uncertain if the above combination would continue to fit in my 32L.

I have the problem of weight on the plane no more than 20kg checked weight and i think 5kg personal,the pack is about 18kg,thats everything for 3 weeks in NZ,except food. For tramping i have got it to about 15kg,tent mat,gas cooker and i have cut down on clothing,can walk for a few days in the same stuff Lindsay

That of course is another consideration with regards downsizing, weight restrictions on planes. Most good clothing you can wash and wear the next day, weather permitting. If not, walk on regardless safe in the knowledge that the next person you meet is more than likely in the self same position.

Was just playing with my pack, (at home sick so plenty of spare time) and discovered that it has a dry seat or something hidden away in a secret pocket at the bottom of the pack. Thats fairly cool. Make me wonder what other hidden secrets my other equipment might hold.

Seek and ye shall find.

Over here I struggle with the smaller packs as I have to carry water for the whole trip. Bulky and heavy! As there are no huts either, unless I do sections of the Bibbulmun, a tent, sleeping pad and groundsheet are also necessary, and bulky, additions. 65L *just* fits in a multi-day walk's worth, with water bottles attached to the outside. The +15 holds a DSLR and three extra lenses, cards, batteries etc. Gee, I'm looking forward to being able to drop several litres of water from my load. Normclimb: had a conversation over coffee with a packer I met, extolling the virtues of the Atmos. She loves it, and couldn't think of a negative after walking with it for a few months.

Great to hear that about the Atmos, thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

pckme: For what it's worth, Cactus Climbing's 80L Foray pack doesn't have one of those sleeping bag pockets. http://tinyurl.com/kme27h Whether it's actually right for other reasons is another question, but it could be worth looking at if you haven't already checked it out. I borrowed one of their Hector packs from a friend and couldn't get the harness to fit me nicely, but since their harnesses aren't adjustable I think it's one of the things you have to get sized right from the start. Cactus was ready to send a test model for me via Bivouac at one point, and might post you one directly if you ask nicely. Actually Cactus have been very helpful whenever I've contacted them, and I have at least one friend who asked for a customisations on one of their products and got it at a reasonable price. That's the sort of neat thing you get with local manufacturing that I guess a company like Macpac/Black-Sheep can't as easily commit to these days. Aarn's another company in Christchurch that does this kind of thing if you're nice to them. They were very quick to offer to post me a test model to try out directly when their only Wellington retailer had shut down.