[pct-l] equipment questions

[Ripperton Matt" <maripper@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Ripperton Matt)]

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Hi everyone,

I WAS going to do a 3-week section this spring, but I've requested a leave =
of absence from work, and if it comes through my trip will be suddenly be t=
ransformed into a 3 month odyssey.  I'm very excited!!  I would hope to fin=
ish California (from section D) and hopefully Oregon as well.

Anyway, I have done the lightweight (although not the ULTRA-lightweight) th=
ing before, but for this trip I would like to really trim things down.  So,=
 I have several gear-related questions:

1) Packs - My previous "light" pack was an Arc'Teryx Bora 40, but it's too =
small for the long hauls in the Sierras, and still around 4#.  I have looke=
d at the GoLite stuff at the local REI and it didn't impress me.  I like th=
e lighter weight & extra capacity the G4 offers, and the Moonlite has this =
intriguing vest harness with lots of little pockets in it...  For years I h=
ave hiked with a Dana Designs rib pouch & I love the access it gives me to =
various small items while I'm hiking.  Has anyone tried Moonlite's vest har=
ness?  Does it distribute weight across you body like they claim, or is the=
 weight really still on your shoulders only?  Does anyone have any suggesti=
ons to help me choose between a G4 and the Moonlite, or something else?

2) Stove - I recently started using an MSR Pocket Rocket, and I'm trying to=
 decide if this is OK or if I want to use an alcohol stove.  I've not seen =
anything on the list about availability of canisters for the former.  I'm n=
ot interested in making my own alcohol stove at this point, so I was consid=
ering the Brasslite Micro.

3) Cookware - For years I have used a 1.5 quart steel pot (and didn't reall=
y use the full volume), so I want to go smaller & change to aluminum or tit=
anium.  My question is what size do most thru-hikers use?  Evernew has the =
0=2E9L pot, but if this isn't big enough to cook a meal sufficient to fuel =
a distance hiker, perhaps the 1.3L one is better?

4) Shoes - Do people really change shoes for the Sierras?  And do they CARR=
Y 2 pair, or simply mail their trail runners ahead & hike the entire sectio=
n with heavier boots?

5) An alternative to heavier boots mentioned above, I was wondering if anyo=
ne uses instep crampons or snow spikes with their regular light shoes in th=
e Sierras?

6) Finally, I am trying to decide what to do about shelter - I've never bee=
n a tarp person.  Last year I bought a North Face Canyonlands, which I love=
, but it's around 4#.  They do have a groundsheet that you can pitch with j=
ust the fly, but then the bottom's open & I'm concerned about mosquitoes.  =
I also don't know how much weight it really saves if I have to also have a =
bunch of bug netting.  So my question, is the Canyonlands fastpack footprin=
t a reasonable option, or should I just bite the bullet & get something lik=
e a Tarp Tent or the Nomad Lite?

Thanks,
Matt Ripperton
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