[pct-l] Do we need a GPS unit and coats

[Eric Lee]

John wrote:
>
So my question is, do we really need a GPS for this stretch of the trail. 
Do I really need anything warmer? Should we bring lightweight rain gear?
>

GPS - no.  The PCT is pretty well marked and mapped so as long as you have
something like the Wilderness Press guidebooks or Halfmile's maps you won't
need a GPS.  It can be convenient at times when you're wondering about
whether you took a wrong turn or not, but it's not necessary.  The only time
it would be really nice to have would be if you were planning long stretches
of snow travel.

Rain gear - mountain storms can occur at any time of year.  You should have
whatever gear, skill, and backup plan necessary to deal with a multi-day
rainstorm or snowstorm.  Cold rain is much more difficult to deal with than
snow, actually.  The gear required for that situation may look different for
different people so it's hard to say precisely what you need to bring, but
if your gear strategy involves a big dose of, "Well, bad weather probably
won't happen," then you should probably rethink your strategy.  While it's
true that it *probably* won't happen, it can and has happened and will
happen again at some point.

I hiked out of the Three Sisters Wilderness in 4 inches of snow the last
week of August several years ago.  It had been over 100 degrees in the same
location just one week before.  You cannot rely on the weather.

Personally, I always carry lightweight waterproof rainpants and a homemade
silnylon poncho for moisture protection and a light insulating vest, a very
light windshirt, and a down sweater for cold protection.  I've selected
those pieces specifically for the ability to mix and match them to any
conditions I'm likely to encounter in three-season hiking.  My pack isn't
the lightest out there at about 14 pounds total but I feel confident about
my ability to take care of myself in any reasonably-foreseen circumstances.

Eric