[pct-l] Gear/Weight/Risk

[Melanie Clarke]

Dear D. Nielsen,

I'm preparing to do about 560 miles of the southern CA section and my base
weight is 19lbs.

That 19lbs includes the clothes I'm going to wear so my base weight is
probably actually 18lbs minus shorts, socks, underwear and shirt.  A couple
of weeks ago my pack was 17lbs. and I figured that I would "put it on a
diet".  However, with a final inventory, I had to add even more to my pack;
Halfmile's maps, portions of the Yogi Guide, rain coat, adhesive sports tape
and a few other items.  When I hiked with my ex or my daughter, we were able
to share the load of a tent, water filter, Esbit etc. but now, I have to
carry everything myself.  20lbs is not a lot of stuff.

I've done some long distance hikes in the Sierra and I just feel that I
don't want to give anything up that is in my pack right now.  Those ultra
light hikers must suffer a little.  I might ship my Esbit ahead and see how
I do without one but yes, I'm heading out with a 19lb base weight also.
 Paul (or whatever his name is keeping the list of hikers) told me that
you'd be surprised how many people have 30lbs.

45 lbs. loaded with water and food is just what we are going to have to deal
with.

Melanie

On Sun, Feb 20, 2011 at 10:31 AM, <dnielsen at djmurphycompany.com> wrote:

> 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.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
>