[pct-l] Gear/Weight/Risk

[dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com]

To those experienced through hikers, particularly anyone who has done large
sections or completed the PCT:

 

I am a longtime backpacker since the 70's but not a "thu-hiker", yet.  Been
wanting to do the trip since I read Eric's book in grade school. I have a
20lb base weight for 3 season trips. I was always taught to be totally self
sufficient and use quality gear as your survival can depend on it. Old boy
scout motto drilled into us was "be prepared" and it stuck. On my usual trip
I generally know what to expect regarding weather and water and can plan
accordingly, multi day/1 week trip.  What I am struggling with most on the
pct is the wide range of conditions, from needing 2 gallons of water in the
pack one day at low desert and then being faced with a potential snow storm
at the top of a mountain the next day. (not to mention proper mountaineering
gear for snow, not trail runners.) My 20lb base equipment will allow me to
handle this with the level of safety that I am used to and my full frame
pack can handle 50lb + (Although my back does not do as well anymore).  So
if I have a 20lb base load, 8 quarts of water 16lb, 5 days of food at
11.5lb, I will have a 47.5 pound pack, excluding bear can. Very reasonable
load in the "old days" but more than I really want to or can likely carry.

 

I have a lightweight set up that I use for overnight trips when I have a
good read on weather and water and basically where I only need to carry 2
quarts of water. Base weight is 11lb and my pack with food and water is
under 20lb.  If things go really bad on the weather I just leave. There is
however no way that I have been able to get comfortable with this setup for
the wide range of pct conditions that I am envisioning.   This is a 1lb
backpack and there is no way I want to put 16lb of water and 11.5lb of food
in it not to mention that the gear does not seem sufficient for this "wide"
three season range, i.e. 1lb 35 degree bag, etc.

 

I know people are obviously making it the entire way with these light base
loads and packs I just seem to have a disconnect with it.  Perhaps my safety
threshold is just higher than theirs. I have been in situations where my
life truly did depend on my gear and that has burned in pretty hard.  It is
one thing to talk gear online and another when you get multiply days of
freezing rain, snow and 50mph winds.

 

1.	I really want to carry less weight, questions is do I have to
increase my risk level to do so?  
2.	What is the real weight of the ultra light people once they get all
that water, food and bear can onboard?  And how the heck to you carry that
in a 1lb backpack?

 

Thanks - all suggestions and info welcome.