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Figured out I was loading my pack all wrong after a 12 mile hike in the Smokies
I always put my sleeping bag at the bottom of my pack, but after a brutal 12 mile day on the AT near Clingmans Dome I had killer lower back pain. A thru-hiker at the shelter pointed out my heavy stuff was sitting too low and pulling me backward. Swapped it so my tent and stove sit mid-back and now my hips carry the weight instead of my shoulders. Anyone else realize a simple packing trick way later than they should have?
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the_hannah1mo ago
Small correction, you actually want your sleeping bag at the very bottom since it's bulky but lightweight... the real trick is keeping your heaviest gear (tent, food, stove) high and tight against your mid-back.
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the_shane1mo ago
Nah, heavy stuff low keeps me stable on rough terrain.
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