[pct-l] RE: Gear

[john@frozenpoodle.com (John Brennan)]

Jason,
I'm hiking the PCT this year too. Do you plan on being at the ADZ?  I'll be
there.

I have some thoughts about your gear questions.
If you are careful with your gear, it doesn't need to be too durable for a
PCT thru-hike.  While backpacking you need durable gear when you are
off-trail: pushing through brush, sliding across granite, fighting ice.  The
PCT is a cakewalk in terms of those conditions.  It's why we get to use such
lightweight rain gear like Propore and Frogg Toggs.
You probably know this, but you'll be carrying every ounce of your gear for
2560 (+) miles.  Each ounce you carry will add up, step after step.
You can also replace gear.  I'll have a Patagonia Velocity with me for use
as a wind shirt.  It's really thin and probably pretty fragile.  So I bought
a second one that I can have shipped to me if I need it.  I'm lucky to live
by the Patagonia Outlet (for good prices), but the idea doesn't change: If
you can afford two lighter, less durable items (and you have home-base
support), replace less-durable items if they fail rather than buying
heavier, more-durable items.  If they don't fail, then you have enough gear
for another thru-hike :-)

Tents are an easy way to be carrying extra pounds.  I assume you've decided
you want a tent instead of a tarp, and that you need a 2-person tent because
two people will be sleeping in it.  Many have written about tents on this
list and on backpackinglight at yahoogroups.com.  If I chose to carry a
tent, I'd probably use the Stephenson Warmlight.
Good luck,
John B./ Cupcake
(Some good friends decided yesterday my trail name should be Cupcake.  What
can I say to that?)
Santa Cruz, CA
--

Jason Porto socrboy79@yahoo.com wrote:
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
... I plan to hike the PCT this, but want a little advice on gear.
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