Help choosing camera hiking setup

I'm looking for advice and opinions on a comfortable and efficient way to hike with my camera gear (including multi-day backcountry camping trips). I'm currently debating the relative merits of a Lowepro Nature Trekker II or a Lowepro harness system. My concern with the Nature Trekker is that it may be too much bag for my camera gear, but not enough bag for my hiking/camping gear. With a harness system, I might just be able to cram everything in my regular backpack and just pull it out when I head out from camp. Although I prefer to have quick and easy access even while I'm hiking.

Anyway, here's what I need to carry:

Gitzo 1325 tripod
Camera
50 mm
100 mm macro
75-300 mm
assorted photo junk
room to add a wide angle & a 400 mm (someday! )
2 1-liter water bottles
food
extra layer of clothes
**sometimes camping gear - ie tent/bivy, sleeping bag, stove, water filter, etc.

My current setup is wreaking havoc on my body and is less than convenient, so I'll appreciate any thoughts or input that anyone has. Also would love to hear about anyone's experience with the two Lowepro systems mentioned above.

Thanks a lot!

I use regular backpack (Gregory shasta) as the Lowepro is not even closely designed for packing nevermind backpacking. I have developed system of packing that I kind of like. I did some backpacks with Lowepro before i got gregory and it was terrible !!!!! I don't lag that much of stuff just my 1Ds and 17-40 lens with some filters and that's it mostly.

I'm getting a regular Lowe Pro backpack. Skip the camera backpack - this thing is pretty useless. Having used mine a lot for the last 2 years, it's getting pretty beat up - for any sort of packing/camping, you probably won't make it. Get a little bag for your camera to be protected in and use one of the BP pouches for filters etc.....

Oh, brother, you're into suffering! If you want/need to take so much gear, may I suggest you go to ArtWolfe.com for past articles on what/how he packs for expeditions. Or ask him via the contact link on the website. I'd say forget the camera backpack and hire a sherpa! Or consider adding a WA zoom & a multiplier for the long lens you have now. Zooms are heavier but might let you pare down the # of lenses and accessories. From someone who shares your pain, and thus does not backpack, !! :-)
Catherine Reilly
Seattle, WA

Thanks all for your replies. I was kind of on the cusp about the photo backpack and now I think I'll give it wide clearance. I'm still thinking that the harness might be nice for a light, modular system that I can customize as needed (even if it may be a little dorky ). I saw that Rick had gotten one and seemed to be happy with it if I recall.

I know that I just shouldn't bring all my stuff with me when I'm going hiking, but I guess I'm just stubborn that way. At least we've got it better than Ansel, but hmm... a little pack goat might be nice - might distract the cougars when I'm hiking back after sunset too. For now I'll see if I can wedge it all into my Gregory.

I have a LowePro Nature Trekker, and I like it very much. I use it for day photo trips, for permanent storage of my camera equipment, and as a carry-on for air travel. However, it is not suitable for overnight backpacking as it does not have adequate capacity or features and is (in my opinion) too heavy. For backpacking, I use a backpack with a removable daypack.

Inge and I have a wide array of Lowepro gear and I'm pretty happy with it.

Pro Trekker AW, Nature Trekker AW, Lens Trekker 600 AW (in the mail), Rover AW, DryZone (200?), Toploader 75AW, 65AW, one of their lens cases for almost each of my lenses, 2 of their belt & shoulder harness setups (one for each of us).

I think I really hault too much stuff and keep fooling my self that a different bag will somehow defy the laws of physics and make the gear lighter.

Given the lenses you have, I'd go with the harness & toploader. When backpacking, I'd use a real backpack and either use the chest harness or (if the main pack is external frame) hang the toploader from the neck strap around the top bar of the frame. You can either hook lens bags to sides of the toploader or keep them inside your pack. When not backpacking, I'd wear the harness and put the lens bags on my belt.

Other things you could do are:
Get something like the Rover and make your main pack "wear" the Rover. (This works for short stints where you go in a few miles and can drop your main pack and then hike around with just the Rover.)

Go packing with someone you can share gear with (or a llama/mule/horse/goat).

Give up on a lot of the normal backpacking stuff (no sleeping bag, no stove, etc) and try to fit it all in the daypack part of the Nature Trekker. I'd try an overnighter with daypack and a slightly oversupplied friend who could bail me out if I needed it before I committed to this.

Sean

P.S. When you say 400mm, do you mean a 400mm f/2.8? If so, I'd really recommend a separate bag you use when you're using that and only do that when you're ready to buy the lens; I think I could cram a 400 f/2.8 into my Pro Trekker or Dry Zone, but I suspect I wouldn't want to do that on a regular basis. I'd also really think hard about aspirations for backpacking with one of these. If you're talking about Nikon's 80-400 or Canon's 100-400, it should work reasonably one of the bigger lens bags.

Joshua, I just did a 8 day/60 mile trip with my camera (D2x, it's not small), two lenses, a tripod w/ball head and assorted accessories.
Email me privately and I'll describe you my set up and what I'd do differently in the future.