[pct-l] My 2 Cents

[Kevin Cook]

YMMV = your mileage may vary

Can I ask one thing?...

how will your wallet fatten while on the trail? ;)

On Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 10:14 PM, Alphabetsoup <alphabetsoupmmm at gmail.com>wrote:

> 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*
> *
> *
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