[pct-l] Ultralight as a must?

[Sir Mixalot]

Both weight and miles increase the risk of over-use injury.  Reducing
weight increases your chances of completing the trail without injury.

It also reduce sweating, soreness and exhaustion, making it easier to think
about the incredible scenery instead of the load on your back.

A lighter load makes it easier, even possible, to cover more miles in less
time.  This may allow you to take time to smell the flowers, get in and out
of town in a day without doing a nero, or opt to hike even more miles.

If you have the money, knowledge and experience to go lighter while being
safe and comfortable, I can't think of why you shouldn't.

And I don't like the term 'ultralight'.  It sets a goal that might be
unattainable, and is rarely reached.  At least I believe most ultralight
practitioners keep trying to go lighter.  I believe that's the goal.  To
continually strive to go lighter.  It doesn't matter what the result is
called, except for boasting.

On Sat, Sep 29, 2012 at 2:48 AM, Stefan Rinnert <
stefanrinnert at googlemail.com> wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> somehow we are a bit confused about the gear we are planning to take with
> me for the pct-hike. we thought we had found the "right way" for us, but
> this UL-thing keeps coming back into our minds. we'll hike as a couple and
> therefore are able to share some weight/gear. beside our packs (osprey
> aether 70 and ariel 65, each 4 - 4,5 lbs; both packs that fit our expected
> needs, and our tent which weighs little less than 4 lbs) we try to keep the
> total gear weight very low and aim to reach a total of round about 14-18
> lbs excluding pack (empty), food and water. since the PCT-community in
> germany is from non existing to not so big, we feel somehow helpless and
> intimidated by this "ultralite monstrum". Beyond, we cannot assess the
> impact of weight+ total distance.
> alltogether, the chosen gear might be a result of cautiuosness: tent as
> protection against insects, snakes and the "heavy" backpack due to health
> considerations even though we`re 24&26 and fit :)
>
> we're thankful for suggestions, comments and experiences!
>
> regards,
>
> stefan
> _______________________________________________
> 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/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>