MM,
Glad to be of some assistance. Taking a class is a great way to have your gear and ideas "wrung out". I know spending time in the field is really the only way to test our theories. I've made the mistake of carrying too much crap, because in the comfort of Fort Living Room I thought I couldn't live without XYZ. My objective, for the past five years or so, has been to increase my skills and experience and therefore decrease my dependence on "stuff".

Always remember there are two types of survival gear:

Durables and Expendables

Its a challenge to balance the needs of immediacy (expendables) with the needs of duration (durables).

If at all possible, we shouldn't have a pack over 35 pounds because once you add the weight of your belt carried gear, a firearm, etc - you've overloaded yourself and prone to slow and difficult movement and the possibility of a mechanical injury.

MM - if you have any questions post them in here so everyone can benefit from the responses.

Randy,
Please remember the gear I carry is a result of:

A) My plan
B) My needs to execute my plan

Always feel free to use my gear examples to tune your own, but your gear must be mission driven.

Everyone,
MISSION DRIVES GEAR - figure out what you're trying to do (survive this or that, get home, fight your way to safety, whatever) and then develop a plan of action. Your POA will drive the gear you need to execute your POA.

For example, if an EMP rendered my vehicle useless I'd have about a 40 mile hike home from work (through a city and into a rural area). This makes my GHB different than someone that lives 5 minutes from work in a large city.

Randy,

Water is heavy. I like to have a day's worth on me (two 32oz Nalgenes), but I have quite a few methods of making water potable (for in field refills). We both live in an area with ample ground water and rainfall so our needs are different from someone who lives in an arid region.

Regarding the pack I use - its because its what I have. I'm not a big fan of the Fightlight line of gear, because the weight savings (of the 500D lightweight material) isn't a good trade compared to the stronger (and slightly heavier 1000D used on most of TT's gear).

For a "GHB" or "Hiking Bag" I like them small and light. This isn't a "BOB" so 20 pounds should be about the max. My bag is heavier than it should be because I carry 112rounds of 40SW and a NMSFNO (larger than I need for a GHB).

I really like Maxped's gear - especially their organizational designs. Its great to have a well thought out pack that already has a place to store: water, first aid, nav gear, etc. TT's packs are military oriented, and as a result typically bombproof (again see my comments on the 500D products). This is why I recommend them. However, my only complaint about MaxPed is they seem bigger in the picture than in person, and the material is so stiff it makes them hard to "stuff". I'd use your Pigmy.

Your 3-Day pack would be my basis for a BOB.