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I spent a couple of hours working on my kit and pack yesterday. I suspect that as soon as I turn my back while I'm organizing my kit, someone pushes small round lead pellets into the lining of my pack, thus adding additional pounds that I have not accounted for.
My food is dehydrated or freeze-dried food for the most part. Some beef jerky, oatmeal, lemon powder, instant coffee, dried milk powder, etc... How can that weigh so much? I am thinking to sacrifice my tent and bring along only my tarp. That will save 6.5 lbs right then and there. All I'll need to bring in its place would be a tarp footprint - I have a cheap blue tarp that I can cut to size.
The weather has been cooling down the last couple of days, and not having a tent might play into my only concern: mosquitoes, evil mosquitoes. The forecast so far is Medium Activity for the bloodsuckers. Maybe if I bring some mosquito coils to burn in the tarp that will help. I have DEET, and a bug jacket with hood.
My essentials kit, first-aid bag and such weighs hardly anything. I'm bringing the bare essentials there. I am trying to be as spare as possible because I want to portage (lug) my canoe and my knapsack in a single trip to the lake through the woods to reduce the amount of walking that Monty needs to do. Despite my exercising him and getting him strong for the trips, I am always aware of the fact that he had both of his legs' cruciate ligaments break a few years back. But then again, he went on a 19 km portage with me a couple of years ago and fared well.
Maybe it's just that I like the idea of taking it all in one go.
Strapped to the back of my knapsack I have a self-inflating Thermarest mattress, a sleeping bag, a tarp, a wool blanket and a folding camping chair (the kind without legs - just a back and seat).
I know there are probably a handful of items that I don't need to bring. I won't give up the axe though. Maybe I won't bring the saw.
Decisions, decisions.
There are still a handful of items I need to bring. Note to self: bring a couple of good novels, and my camera.
I'd have no concerns about the weight (it's about 41.5 lbs now for everything) of the knapsack if I decide to do 2 trips through the woods. This is something I will be meditating on for the remaining 5 and a half days, or until I make a decision.
Anyone have any thoughts about this?
That's all,
Mungo
3 Bahs!:
I don't know, I think I'd make two trips and bring more stuff. But then, that's probably why I don't tend to carry everything I'll need on my back. I want to be prepared for every contingency.
That first portage -- the 1885-meter one -- makes me wonder how much your canoe weighs? And, have you trained Monty to walk around on your shoulders to tenderize 'em after the portage?
I'd leave the camp chair. And Bring some cigars.
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