Great Cross Sound Race, Backpack

Just for kicks, I woke up at 5:25, 5:30 and 5:35 to assess whether I would go paddle the Cross Sound Race. I didn't fall back asleep, so ate bit of breakfast and drove off about 6:20. Vern had called yesterday and said lets meet at 5:30 at Top Foods--I'd said I couldn't do anything that early. Arrived at Race venue on time. Water was choppy during the race, lifting the ama many times. A much better day for kayaks than for outriggers. I was caught by another OC1 and a kayaker, but had overtaken the latter and was nearly up to the former when a fistful of seaweed tangled in my rudder, almost stopping me. After clearing the rudder, I was back up to speed but both other paddlers had finished the race. Good fun anyway.

On a 1 hour walk yesterday with the Kelty Cloud 4500 with 36lb of camping gear loaded, I found it drove the waistbelt into my gut, made my back and shoulders sweaty and pushed the chest strap, even in its lowest position, almost to my neck. Went to REI in Oly today to check out sale--didn't want to mail order a backpack w/out trying them on. The saleswoman helped fit me--determining that my back was more like a small. Tried the REI Flash 65, but it fit not quite right, with the waist strap running out & the pack pressing on my butt muscles. I then tried on a Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10 for 30 minutes--much better staying off the buttocks. The Gregory Baltoro 75 was also better at not pressing on my butt muscles, but in 30 minutes, I felt pressure points on the small of my back. Wore the Deuter for another 20 minutes--bought it. I'll test it on a hike soon up/down hills near my house and/or camping.

Update:  the Deuter was a nice pack but it began to wear on my hamstring muscles.  Had to take it back.  I put the Flash 65 on with 20#.  Bought it after wearing it 30 min in the store.  So far, so good for loads up to 30#--haven't walked with much more. 

33.25 lb hurts?

Yes, 33.25 lb hurts when the weight is a thermarest pad and 3.5 gallons of water in my Dana Astralplane pack. Weird how sometimes the pack feels like a painless part of me and other times my worst enemy. It felt as if it were riding on my buttocks, even with the belt cinched tighter and tighter--my legs began to hurt down the back. Is my back too short for this pack?

After 50 minutes up and down hills, I took off the pack and hiked with just a waist pack. It felt great!

Hm. The REI Flash 65 is on sale. I might go for it.