pack size question

[timy]

In July I soloed Mt Shasta. My pack wt. was about 28-30lbs

including 2, 1 ltr. bottles of water. Most of the people I saw arriving at Hellen Lake (ele. 10,000) were carrying 45-50 lbs. and some carrying closer to 55-60- lbs.

What are they carrying? I wonder at times if I am not equiped with the proper items. I don't feel that I've deprived myself of any expected comforts.

[olyclimber]

That was either:

 

A. Shasta Expedition 2006: A Struggle With Nature. The people where high altitude porters ferrying gear for the expedition who were camped in hyperbaric tents mid-way up the mountian

 

B. Owners of the new Freedom of the Hills: Extreme Edition. Updated with the new 1000 Essentials.

 

Seriously, people carry way too much with them. Perhaps it is because REI markets all this must have crap and suckers buy it all and try to pack it up with them. You can get by pretty comfortably with a 30lb pack with most outings.