[pct-l] Jardine and the Backpack Hip Belt

[Kevin]

I own an ultra light pack, but I put it aside a few years ago in exchange for a suspension. I love my Gregory Z65. It actually transfers the weigt to my hips. No matter what I do with my GoLite, I can't get the weight off my shoulders. With the Gregory, I can pull the top adjustment straps(dunno what they are called) and the weight comes off my shoulders. It feels like the pack is sitting on the waist belt and the should straps are just balancing the weight over me. I feel some pressure against my chest, but it provides relief for my shoulders. I'm usually good for the first 10 miles or so, the I start shifting the weight back and forth between my waist and my shoulders. 

Of course my Z65 weighs 4 pounds. This is a lot by ultra light standards. I considered a new pack, but I'm skeptical any can carry a load as well. Leaving KM, I'll have 11 days food with me. That's 22 pounds or more. Granted, my base weight is nearly 20lbs, so YMMV. 

Misspellings and typos brought to you by iPhone.

On Feb 14, 2011, at 8:09 PM, Sym Blanchard <symbiosis222 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I just read Ray Jardine's opinion of backpack hip belts on page 44 of his
> book *Trail LIfe*.
> 
> He reckons that the hip belt constrains spine motion, and therefore
> increases one's chance of injury from falling. "Crunch!" he says.
> 
> Last September, I had fallen while hiking the PCT, breaking my ankle and
> shoulder.  I figured I need to get trekking poles (which I hate), ditch my
> umbrella (which I love), and buy high top hiking shoes (which I hate).
> 
> Now I am rethinking my strategy.  My base pack weight is about 8-1/2 pounds
> so I can cut off my hip belt, but the weight still seems tiresome on my
> shoulders (especially when fully loaded with food and water).
> 
> I am thinking about working out more at the gym to build up my shoulders and
> then carrying the pack on alternate shoulders (a la Jardine).
> 
> Anyone else have this experience or have thoughts on this strategy?
> 
> Thanks in Advance,
> Symbiosis
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