Im doing the coast to coast in July, camping along the route. Its the first time Ive done this sort of thing hence have got just about everything you would expect for a novice to get. My 65litre rucksac will be full and Im looking at maybe 30 40lbs in weight. Is that something you would expect for such a trip. Im even thinking it maybe a bit heavier with water and gas onboard!

cheers

Its not something you would expect for such a trip! My pack usually weighs between 20-25lb,including water, and I carry everything I need.Years ago I used to carry 40lb packs and it was crippling so I gradually reduced the weight until in was comfortable.

I'm with Tony on this. My last crossing was done with a wild camping pack and what I would call bare essentials (I did use everyhting I carried) and the weight was 23 - 25lbs with water and daily snacks. I didn't carry any cooking gear. I used a 46Ltr sac and still had plenty of spare room.
It's all about having all lightweight gear and carrying only what you need and nothing that you only MAY need.
Don't worry though as most lightweight backpackers have gone through the heavy gear carrying stage and learnt from those experiences.
Dave.

Thats about 13kg, doesn't sound too heavy, if your string enough to manage it. I might ditch some weight by forgetting the gas though and just eat cold, but that's just me. Or maybe consider a light alcohol stove.

Another thing perhaps to think about is the amount of cloths. if you just say carry clothes for half the trip, and do some laundry halfway across, you can save yourself some considerable weight.

I'll assume you already have your tent, sleeping bag ect so that weight isnt adjustable?

Oh sorry got my units mixed up, its more like 18kg, yes that sounds far too heavy

Scratch that was right the first time, I dont know imperial units

Hi Plod,
Could be getting towards the 'heavy' side for the trip, but that really depends on the weight you're happy with hauling.
You can get away with no cooking gear and almost keeping clothing to an essential 'one set worn' minimum. (basically besides rain gear, just keeping some dry gear for wear inside tent - pair of socks,synthetic T shirt, maybe longjohns depending on your bag rating, and a backup pair of grundies!)
You'll know that your main weight is your tent, pack, sleeping bag, cooking gear - ditch the cooking gear and as Slogger says, anything that you 'may' need. (I've actually come across folk who were carrying a mallet for their tent pegs)
Unfortunately the cost of tents, packs and bags always seems to be inversely proportional to their weight! But if you can afford it, it's money well spent in getting good light gear for the job.

.

Plod. Your pack sounds like mine was. Believe me when I say I cried myself to sleep.
Put evrything next to your pack, look at it,then decide,what do you want, and what do you need.
Need is all you want....does that make sense?
If you think you might need it....you wont.
If you know you will need it, you will.
Pants x3
Socks x3
Tent x1
Money x a fair bit
Food x a couple of lightweight dehydrated packs for just in case you can't find anywhere serving.
Maps/Guidebooks.(Stedman will get you there on it's own, but I wouldn't reccommend the Lakes without OS, nor the moors.
GPS/Camera and batteries.
Note book/pen
Waterproofs.
Base layer x2
Fleece x1
Trousers x2, or shorts.
Head torch/spare batteries
Waterproof bags for inside your rucksack.It will rain, and it will get in.
Sleeping bag & sleeping mat.(mat optional,I had a lightweight one. My co walker had a roll up. He ditched his.
Much else?
You decide.Maybe a stove and gas for making a brew in the morning,so t bags or coffee. Don't bother with whitener.
We ditched a lot of stuff after four days and didn't miss it. I diod lose my pebble, so I have to do it again next year, and take two.
Good luck. Hope you get fair weather.....but IT WILL RAIN.

Dargie, you were right second time, it's about 18kg.

I set off with 35lb pack. I'd done a fair bit of training, including with a rucksack topped up with bricks to about 55lb, so I thought it would be a breeze. It wasn't. After taking nearly 12 hrs to lumber to Grasmere on day 4 I hired Sherpa, which made the rest of the walk much more fun. That's what I'd recommend, but if you can't or don't want to then you probably want to shave some weight.

It's hard to replicate in practice the wear & tear of the real think. If you're at all unsure, take your planned bag, add a couple of bricks, and try doing 40 miles over a weekend with it. If it doesn't bother you, then you're good to go, but I suspect you'll start to look at things as optional. Stopping once or twice to do laundry along the way is very sensible. Smelling a bit is OK too:)

Well Ive got the bag packed and set off tomorrow for St Bees. Stay over night then start the walk on tuesday. The bag is 35lbs and Im not looking forward to the haul, but being a first timer to anything like this Ive taken what I think I will need and only time will tell. I may use the baggage collection scheme parts of the way I will see how I get on and how many pain killers i get through first.

As Im in no rush and not on a time scale i will be doing less miles per day than the average so im hoping the short distances and times will compensate for the weight of the bag.

How you lot get away with such light bags is a mystery to me , but then I am a first timer at this type of thing.

I suppose you learn by your mistakes.

If there's anyone else on the route whilst Im there I think It will be obvious who I am. I will be the one with a bright red sweating face, gritted teeth. stooped over like something out of Lord of the Rings!

Please offer to help by carrying something !