After 6 trips, I stopped obsessing over pack weight completely

I used to weigh every single item before a hike and would ditch anything over a few ounces. Then last spring on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, my buddy carried a 4 pound camp chair and still outpaced me because he wasn't stressed about gear. It hit me that my ultralight setup made me miserable with cold meals and no comfort at night. Now I bring a heavier chair and a real pillow, and my trips are actually relaxing. Anyone else ditch the gram counting and just enjoy the woods more?

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claire_campbell3d ago

I read a Backpacker piece last year where a guy tracked his pack weight for a whole season and found the 3 pound difference never changed how far he went. Sounds like your buddy with the chair figured that out before you did.

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