A hiker in the Smokies told me my pack was 10 pounds too heavy. He was right.

Last spring I was hitting the Appalachian Trail near Clingmans Dome for a 3 day solo trip. Had my pack loaded with everything I thought I needed. A thru-hiker stopped me at a shelter and said plain as day, "Youre gonna hate yourself by mile 6 with that thing." I got defensive at first but he pointed out my cast iron skillet and a full size first aid kit. I cut 9 pounds just by leaving the skillet behind and switching to a ultralight kit and a smaller stove. Made the hike way more enjoyable. Has anyone else had a stranger call them out on their gear?

2 comments

2 Comments

sullivan.elliot3d ago

The funny thing is that applies to way more than just hiking gear. People carry around all this stuff they don't actually need in their regular lives, like old hobbies they never do anymore or friendships that are just dead weight. I cleaned out my trunk last month and found golf clubs I hadn't touched in two years and a gym bag full of clothes that didn't fit. Same principle as the cast iron skillet, you don't realize how much that extra crap is dragging you down until you actually drop it.

anthony_lane553d ago

Totally get what you mean, that stuff just weighs on you without even realizing it.