You are all talking about external frame packs. We have been using internal frame packs. The only difference is that you have a pack frame and I have to put the animal parts inside my pack. The alaskan pack is near 12 pounds where my current internal pack in only 6 pounds. Can you think of any other advantages to having an external frame pack? I was hoping on going smaller and lighter. I hoped you all would tell me you can do it with a 4500 in3 pack for 7 days.