Bad overpacking habit

Definitely overpack in the snacks/lunch food department. We portion out oatmeal for breakfasts and freeze dried food for dinners but lunch and snacks is kind of a free for all buffet of dried fruit, peanut butter, beef jerkey, just add water hummus and pita/tortillas, and cliff/energy bars.

Also, extra warm layers are hard for me to leave behind because I hate being cold. I always bring at least a thin layer of long underwear but usually also fleece and rain layers (pants and top).
 
Yep, food and clothes. I usually lay it all out, carefully measured. Put it in my pack. And then keep putting more in -- another jacket here, a couple bars there, probably a gatorade or something ... I can't remember the last time I ran out of food on a trip, where I packed my own stuff, at least. There was that boy scout 50 miler where the troop apparently hired someone to make a couple of food drops for us, and they either thought we only had about 5 hikers or were specialists on death marches.
 
I'm a regular offender with over packing food. After carefully measuring out my food in smaller quantities for my last trip, I still ended up with way too much. One thing I'm going to switch to is a lighter breakfast - Carnation in a bag with some powdered milk and a bit of protein powder. This lightened my load and sped up mornings on my last trip. I didn't miss the hot breakfast at all, either, as I'd rather just get on the trail. That said, dinner always ends up being way too much, and then I have to pack out the scraps (or burn them in non-bear country).
 
Jimmy said:
I'm a regular offender with over packing food. After carefully measuring out my food in smaller quantities for my last trip, I still ended up with way too much. One thing I'm going to switch to is a lighter breakfast - Carnation in a bag with some powdered milk and a bit of protein powder. This lightened my load and sped up mornings on my last trip. I didn't miss the hot breakfast at all, either, as I'd rather just get on the trail. That said, dinner always ends up being way too much, and then I have to pack out the scraps (or burn them in non-bear country).
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I only ever eat about half my dinner for dinner, mostly because I just want to sleep when I get to camp. So I eat half before bed, and then eat the other half as a midnight snack. More consistent energy, keeps you warmer at night, don't have the big spikes and dips in energy. Only downside is that it totally messes up your pooping schedule :)
 
I have started making my own dinner meal "packs" because just about any of the pre-done ones are more than I really want to have before hitting the sack. I think it does lighten the load to make your own meals where you can. Lunch is always a pain to decide on though.

As for LarryBoy's comment on midnight snack... I'd say not me... I want to sleep from the time i hit the sack till the time first light is coming up. Definitely not one to want to have to get up in the middle of the night for a bathroom break.
 
Packing food by weight has worked well for me. I start at 1.5lb per day and move toward 2lb per for trips over two weeks, or cold/strenuous. Food should average 100cal/oz. I always want to pack too many bars.

This season I've decided to cut the camera weight from 7lb to 1.
 
I have enjoyed using, but not shouldering, a Sony Nex 7 since 2012, mostly with the Zeiss 24mm but also carrying a 12mm and the decent kit lens, a nearly 2lb Gitzo carbon tripod and batteries. Bought a Sony RX100iii. All in about 5lbs less. Planning another summer long ramble in the Winds, I'll see how it goes.
 
Dreamer said:
I have enjoyed using, but not shouldering, a Sony Nex 7 since 2012, mostly with the Zeiss 24mm but also carrying a 12mm and the decent kit lens, a nearly 2lb Gitzo carbon tripod and batteries. Bought a Sony RX100iii. All in about 5lbs less. Planning another summer long ramble in the Winds, I'll see how it goes.
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I bought the Sony RX100iii a few years ago (when the iv came out) because I was sick of lugging my DSLR around. It's been the best thing I've changed IMO. I love the little thing! I rarely break out the DSLR anymore.
 
I have slightly different problem... Overloaded pockets. I fill my pockets with stuff - wallet, knife, phone, map, compass, pencil, matches, headlamp, extra batteries, insect repellant, 1-2 cliff bars, pocket bottle, 15-20 sheets of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, etc. I want to have them handy, but this apparently slows me down because it's uncomfortable to move. I waste time when I try to get something out of the pockets, because I have to stop and look for it since I don't remember what pocket that item is in:). Is that just me..., anyone else is having the same issue?
 
How many pockets do you have??? That is alot of stuff!
I think I carry a whistle, phone, knife and maybe chapstick at most. Anything else I want on a hike or backpacking trip goes in an accessible pocket in my pack.
 
Phone, knife and capstick is all I have in my pockets when hiking....and sometimes not even the knife. I don't like much in my pockets.
 
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