What Backpack do you use?

Yes.. the externals are great for the large loads like your talking about. They simply hold a ton of gear and haul it like a pack mule. Osprey makes good packs. Little pricy though for what you get and I have had them in the past. If its sweat on the back then even the Osprey wont help much, even with their venting system. Externals are about the best way to go. Even the Gregory sweats on me though. So I just have to learn to deal with it. Most my packing is in winter so its not as bad. Sounds like you got a great deal on the two you got though.

I alternate between the Gregory Advent Pro and the GoLite Trek. The Advent Pro was a gift (free) and the GoLite Trek I got about 4 years ago when I was in Colorado at one of REI's gurage (sp?) sales for $30. Use the Gregory for warmer weather, and the Trek for colder. I love them both, but I'm thinking about getting the Gossamer Gear Miniposa pack, because this would drop 2lbs. AND its only $90.

After having several external packs, which I gave to my neighbor. I bought my Gregory Acadia that weighed 4.5 pounds. It carried all my gear well, but I could never get over the fact that it weighed 4.5 pounds!!! When it was stolen last March, I told myself that I wasn't going to settle on a pack. I looked everywhere and tried several different packs. I posted this thread Here, and the guys really helped me. I bought the ULA Conduit and I LOVE IT. At 20 ounces, OUNCES, I never feel it on my back. I no longer stuff things in my pack because there is room, and I don't have to take my pack off because it is too heavy or uncomfortable. As a matter of fact the only time I take my pack off now, is to fill my Platypus up, or the fact that it is lunch time. I am not a gram weenie, but there is always something to be said about carrying less weight.

My neighbor loves external frames, but even the ones that I gave him only weigh about 1.5-2 pounds. However, on our last trip where we did 15 miles before 2pm, he complained a little about his shoulders, because he didn't distribute the weight in his pack, and it was lopsided.

If you are going to do a lot of hiking, I say borrow, borrow, and borrow some more until you find that pack that seems to be molded for your back. There is no need to have to trudge around with an uncomfortable pack.

Dwight,

You sound like you hike at my pace. We should be sure to get together sometime.