A.l.i.c.e pack

[kei9th]

im going on a four day camping hike/trek in south carolina. i am looking to buy a large alice pack. i need the whole thing, straps, pack and frame do you guys and gals know a website to buy one on? i prefer a used pack like one you would get at an army navy store but all the ones around me dont sell gear like that. and if you know a web site that would give me a solid list of what i should bring that would be great. im sure some of you have been on this kind of trip in the past what did you bring? im going with a friend who does these kind of trips alone so i know there is a few things i wont need that he has, id rather be over prepared than not. and a question about water purification systems. he has a descent one and has never had problems but im not real secure with it. guess im used to bottled water readily available.i have basic camping gear for when the family goes. (we like primitive camping no campers or electricity, mostly at campgrounds). thanks sorry for the long post. we are going at the very beginning of September if that helps. thanks again

 

[roscoe]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

http://www.armysurplusworld.com/display.asp?subdepartmentID=157

https://secure.armysurplusforless.com/products.php?sub_id=72


http://www.rei.com/search?cat=8000&...,4500001_Backpacks:Backpacks&pageSizeRedirect

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

While an Alice pack is built tough, it ain't built for comfort....I'd be looking for a good internal framed pack, instead.

 

[rbh]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

Military gear is good but as was said, they do make more comfortable stuff.
trust me, to many route marches over the years.

 

[DaleT]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

Foxoutdoor.com used to supply the "surplus" stores around here with most of their equipment.

 

[DaleT]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

From experience on canoe trips of similar type, anything you can double up on that doesn't drastically increase your weight is not a bad idea to bring along. However, if your partner has done this before, heed their advice. They have hopefully learned what items are not required from experience. For example, on my canoe trips we used to bring a cooking tripod, well we've since realized with some simple knot know how we could easily rig one out of available tree limbs and not have to carry an extra item. I got alot of good advice on this thread years ago.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=17615&highlight=canoe+trip

best of luck.

Dale

 

[kei9th]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

i bought a alice pack with frame, shoulder straps, and kidney guard/pads off ebay for 36 and change. that's what he uses so that is what i bought. i always liked military gear and so I bought one. i sorta know what is needed and what is not but there is always something you need and forget. thanks for the help guys, when i get back ill post some pics. that wont be for awhile since the trip isn't until September.

 

[scbackpacker]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

What part of SC are you going to hike? I used to backpack a good bit years ago before my knees started to give me trouble. Foothills trail in upper SC is some of the most beautiful around. Whitewater falls is a must see.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

i bought a alice pack with frame, shoulder straps, and kidney guard/pads off ebay for 36 and change. that's what he uses so that is what i bought. i always liked military gear and so I bought one. i sorta know what is needed and what is not but there is always something you need and forget. thanks for the help guys, when i get back ill post some pics. that wont be for awhile since the trip isn't until September.

Take this advice from a 20 year soldier....... PRACTICE! Load that alice up and walk with it now.

I did the Nijmegen March with an alice in 1978 in Europe..... we had a blast and the requirement of 10 Kg minimum weights in the pack was good.... we practiced with 20 kg We marched over 100 miles in 4 days...... not a walk but a march......

Please get in shape ....... look up the Nijmegen Training plans to get in shape and prepare. You will absolutely enjoy the hike more.

 

[kei9th]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

we will be camping in the Uwharrie National Forest. hopefully this link works, http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8034,-79.892675&spn=0.00458,0.006866&t=h&z=17, that was his original camp trip alone. i am hoping to trek farther away from any people. ive been doing some upgrading to the pack to make it more comfortable. as for conditioning ive have been doing 30 minutes of cardio 3 to 5 days a week for 8 months now. its 3 miles from my house to publix and back. i am hoping that three miles inland will be far enough away. so im guessing that the pack will weight between 30 to 40 lbs? if so, i can carry my 30lb son on my shoulders for a solid hour. ill be strapping a 45lb plate to the frame and trying that. i hope that will be over kill. this is going to be my first true "backwoods" camp.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

Used to be the rule of thumb was 1/3 of your body weight max. load if you were in real good shape, 1/4 for everyone else.

You'll take a beating with ALICE.
A lot has changed for the better in backpacks since 1973.......
Even MOLLE and ILBE would be a step up

 

[kei9th]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

i am using molle straps and kidney belt.it was the first thing to upgrade according to a bunch of interweb people. it seems very comfortable.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: A.l.i.c.e pack

Here's some checklist links:
http://www.backpacking.net/27-pound.html#wearit

http://www.americaswonderlands.com/backpacking_checklist.htm

http://www.backpacking-guide.com/backpacking-checklist.html