[pct-l] questions for couples

[Will Hiltz]

Hi Marcia (and all)-


While I definitely appreciate the time it takes to craft these long
responses and the heartfelt gear recommendations therein, this post is a
great example of something that I've found extremely fustrating w/r/t
responses on this list:


As our thankfully outsed but definitely not forgotten Secretary of Defense
Donald Rumsfeld famously (and quite callously) put it, "You go to war with
the Army you have.  They're not the Army you might want or wish to have at a
later time."


What does that a**hole have to do with the PCT?  Well-- Amanda had a
question about stoves.  Specifically, Whisperlite stoves and
specifically the availability of fuel for them.  As someone who also plans
on carrying a whisperlite, obviously this is important information!
However-- I've also been stymed in finding out what fuel availability there
will be this summer because I got a whole bunch of similar answers--
essentially saying that I should be using a different stove (if you were
wondering-- I got the most recommendations for the pepsi-can).  This is
great!  Thanks for this tips!  However-- not being actually made entirely
out of money (few of us thrus are, right?)-- I can't really just go and buy
a whole new stove even if you REALLY REALLY like it and its REALLY cool and
SUPER lightweight and EASY to find fuel for and all the rest of that crap.
Great.  You love your stove.  I'll be sure to check it out on the trail.
But can we keep the superfluous recommendations until ADZPCTKO or
something?

Sorry, just my grumpy .02 on a monday morning.


YITOOD,
Will

ps- if anyone knows about the aforementioned fuel availability-- I'm still
wondering!


On 3/12/07, Marcia <gottawalk at pacbell.net> wrote:
>
> Hi Amanda,
>
> Ken and I hiked the PCT in 2000 and we are now gearing up for a PCT 2007.
> Lots has changed in the gear area!
>
> I carried a Garcia canister with 10 day's food for 2 from Kennedy Meadows
> to
> VVR. What didn't fit in the canister Ken carried and we slept with
> thinking
> we would eat the extra before we got to the problem areas (and a canister
> was not required anywhere). We'll probably use the same method now: one
> canister and eat first what won't fit. We really CRAM food in, choosing
> the
> most compact dinners and using as little packaging as possible. We also go
> without toothpaste, wipes and other extras that must go in a canister. (We
> now like PopTarts instead of the oatmeal that we carried so that is a
> problem now) Every crumb was gone when we got to VVR 10 days later. We'll
> probably try the same idea of some food out. This method is really pushing
> the limits because we were the skinniest hikers at VVR.
>
> We used a Whisperlite on our JMT hikes, then bought a Snow Peak Giga Power
> that uses canisters for the PCT. It's a fantastic stove and we ship fuel
> when we ship guides and food. We calculated that alcohol stoves are
> lighter
> but fuel for two for an alcohol stove is a push compared to the Giga
> Power.
> Both alcohol and Giga Power are lighter than the Whisperlight system. The
> Giga Power has served us well for 13,000 miles at all temperatures and
> elevations (but we warm the canister under a jacket or in a sleeping bag
> when temps are low.
>
> In 2000 we used synthetic bags and will now carry Wester Mountaineering
> down. We have opposite zips (a left and a right) to accomodate zipping
> together. I sleep cold and we have not tried a quilt system.
>
> Our tents in 2000 were single wall mesh with rain flies (we started with a
> Walrus, broke a pole and ended with a Kelty). Since then we beta tested
> Black Diamond tents that were to be sold as Lighthouse and Firstlight.
> Firstlight with two people had too much condensation. We liked the side
> door
> and window but the Lighthouse is bigger (thus too heavy) so we are now
> going
> to carry to a Black Diamond HiLight with a side door and small floor
> area..
> We got Fibraplex poles to save 6.1 ounces (see
> http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=167681) so our single wall, free
> standing tent will weigh in at around 2# 4 oz for two people.
>
> I am an ounce weenie (obviously) and like my pack to weigh in at a pound.
> I
> have carried Gossamer Gear Mariposas and G-4s. Scout and Sandy Mann
> http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=168282 got their pack weight pared
> down to 8 oz! but I don't know what modifications they made.
>
> Have a great hike!
>
> YMMV,
> Marcia
> ...GottaWalk NOW!
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Amanda Tyson" <amandartyson at gmail.com>
> To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 10:22 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] questions for couples
>
>
> Looking for advice from any couples out there who have hiked the PCT.
> Here are our questions:
> 1. What size bear can should we carry? How did you deal with longer
> stretches like the High Sierra?
> 2. We're planning to use a Whisperlite. Any thoughts on that? For
> anyone who has used one, were you able to buy fuel at most stops? If
> not, what did you do where you couldn't buy it? (Or what's the longest
> you had to go between stops where they had fuel?)
> 3. Any ideas for ways that a couple could cut down on weight with
> sleeping bag(s)? We've heard of folks sharing a bag or
> quilt-contraption but are curious to hear more about what's worked for
> you & how much weight/space we could really save.
> 4. Any recommendations (or bad reviews) for a 2-person tent? We're
> thinking about Six Moon Designs or equivalent, open to suggestions.
>
> And for anyone: reviews on Gregory packs?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Oats & Amanda (no trail name yet)
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