[pct-l] My 2 Cents

[Alphabetsoup]

This gear discussion can get really confusing. Nice thing about living on
the trail for 5 or 6 months, IMHO, is the opportunity to test these
theories, change gear and find what works best. When you get home, you will
likely have enough gear to backpack anywhere you want! I assume that this is
what will happen on my thru hike. I'm already planning on receiving some new
gear that will get ordered along the way, while some will get sent home to
go into the gear closet.

>From what I read the concerns are mostly with keeping warm and being
protected from weather with the least amount of weight. I have spent a lot
of time picking the brains of thru hikers over the past few months, some in
person, others on this list. The advice that made the most sense to me is
down pants and down sweater with merino wool long underwear inside a 20
degree bag or even under a back country quilt. A very lightweight
combination of warmth, but also very expensive. I don't have the down yet,
but I do have the merino wool long underwear. The down will be waiting for
me at KM.

This would negate the need for a heavy fully enclosed tent allowing one to
cowboy camp when there is no threat of foul weather, with the sky and all
the stars to gaze at. When there is a threat of rain, simply pitch a tarp to
shed water or act as a wind break. Tarps are great imho, because of the
ability to pitch it according to the weather conditions and for the amount
of protection that is needed. There is no comparison when it comes
to ventilation between a tent and tarp. Add a few ounces of insect netting
for mosquito country, then send it home. a very versatile setup imho. It is
my opinion that most people want a tent for reasons of privacy and to offer
some protection from things that go bump in the night. So naturally tarps
are not for everyone. Ear Plugs help though...



While lighter is better, one has to think about his well being more so than
his pack weight. Currently I carry about 19lbs+/- Total gear weight. Thats
not including consumables (food and water) While this is considered heavy by
some, it is about as light as I can afford to get while still being
comfortable, warm and as dry as one can expect to be. During the High Sierra
Sections, I likely will add a pound or two of extra gear needed for this
section. The trade off will be not needing to carry much water, as it is
prolific in this region.

I understand how ounces add up to pounds very quickly, as I go through and
weigh everything, open it and inspect to see if I really need it or if I can
live without it. every time, I shave a few ounces. I would like to get my
weight down to 15 or less, I will have to make some new gear choices for
that to happen, and they will likely be made on the trail as my bank account
fattens up and I have the available cash to do so.

I read all these posts comparing this tent with that tarp and what about
this sleeping bag, will it save me an ounce or two......

you guys make life easier most of the time, by doing these comparisons for
me but when were talking about anything in the sub 10lbs category, the point
is almost mute. Make the big weight changes in the little extras and in the
food choices, resupply at every PO or town stop instead of every week. I
think the more resupply's one does comes with a huge price tag though and a
lot of extra days of off trail hiking and more opportunities to spend money
in restaurants, bars and hotels. To me, this is contrary to the true trail
experience so I plan to resupply about every 100 miles on average, sometimes
less often than that. As many have said, the trail is 85% mental 15%
physical. If your determined to get to the Canadian border, you will get
there regardless of what your hauling on your back. Our bodies are
remarkable creations of mother nature, not to be underestimated!

My 2 Cents

IMHO,HYOH...etc..etc

One more thing, I have been wondering what YMMV is? can someone please fill
me in? Thanks
-- 
*Alphabetsoup*
*~Soon to be PCT Thru-Hiker April 2011~*
* www.postholer.com/alphabetsoup*
*
*