Given it takes two days to hike in and one day to hike out, it made sense to spend significant time there, so we usually planned 7 or more days for the trip. Adding ropes, pitons, rock hammers and other technical gear to our packs in addition to food, clothing, sleeping bags and tents for a week-long stay meant we were carrying at least 60 pounds each. On one occasion, we hiked in the previous weekend to cache food and equipment near the lakes for an extended stay starting the following week. That way, we could eat well rather than exist on dehydrated food.