Know what the pack weighs, and why.
Base weight excludes food, water, fuel and worn items. The ultralight and lightweight labels are community conventions without a governing standard. A lower number is not automatically safer or better: the right kit depends on the route, season and the people carrying it.
Model details & unit conventions ↗Base weight is pack gear without food, water or fuel. Learn what counts, how skin-out weight differs, and a worked ledger reaching 5,700 g.
Calculate how carried water changes pack weight between stops. Keep litres, container mass and an alternate refill plan separate in your ledger.
The Pandolf equation estimates walking energy with a pack. A 75 kg walker with 12 kg at 4 km/h on a 3% grade uses about 327 kcal in one hour.
Set up separate containers for collection and treated water, and rehearse a camp routine that keeps untreated water away from the drinking side.
Read a water source report by date, exact location and authority. Record what is known about flow, access and treatment before counting on a refill.
Check the manufacturer’s freeze guidance for your water filter, distinguish flow from proof of performance, and plan a fallback before a cold trip.
Related toolsLoaded milesTrail timeFood carryTrip planner