Replying to AT pack size for 3 day hut trips?

I'm interested to know what experienced hut trippers would recommend as an ideal size of AT pack for a 3 day hut trip?

I've done 2 of these trips with friends in the 10th Mtn Hut System and love it! I travel from the Midwest to CO, so no matter how good I am physically, I'm always at a disadvantage with the altitude, so I'm trying to be as efficient as possible with my gear and pack weight. It was glaring last year that my pack was much heavier than my buddy's.

I have been using a circa 2004 Osprey 70L internal frame pack, and stuff a smaller AT daypack for the day trips around the hut. Even if I replaced that pack with a modern 70L pack, I could drop 2 lbs. I could drop 3-4 lbs. if I go with a modern pack that can replace both.

Ideally, I want 1 pack with enough space for bringing food, drink, and gear to the hut; has a dedicated pocket for shovel and probe; and cinches down small enough for the day trips. I think that size would be a 55-60L pack, but I have found no AT specific packs much bigger than 45L. Does such a 55-60L unicorn exist?

Another idea was a 60L pack with an add-on shovel/probe sleeve that lashes to the pack. Not sure if anything like that exists. I'm just wondering what others are doing?

Thanks!

**This thread was edited on Apr 19th 2019 at 5:29:12pm

**This thread was edited on Apr 19th 2019 at 5:33:40pm