[pct-l] hiking speed vs. pack weight

[bharve at dslextreme.com (Bruce Harvey)]

Jolly good bit of fun with the topic, by Wally 'Apteryx' Hockly, 2003 PCT
thru hiker and graduate AT thru hiker.  As I remember some other 2003 hikers
described Wally's footgear as "bad-ass boots" - he did not go light.  His
fun jibe at going lightweight is in his September 2 journal entry:
http://www.trailjournals.com/text/entry.cfm?id=46883

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "dude" <dude@fastmail.ca>
To: <jeffmoorehead1@cox.net>
Cc: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] hiking speed vs. pack weight


> I beleive that alot of the 77' crew were thru-hiking the PCT with 40+
> lb packs.  someone correct me if I am wrong.
>
>
>
> > This discussion has been extremely helpful in deciding to how light to
> > go. I have never thru-hiked but I am definitely attempting the PCT in
> > 2006. I have been an avid backpacker all my life but I traditionally
> > take a heavy load (i.e. 40+ lb packs). To me, it seems like such an
> > accomplishment to go 50-60 miles in a few days. But it is WORK! It
> > seems like there might be an intermediate level somewhere between
> > ultra light and the daily fatigue associated with a heavy load. Is it
> > possible to go, say, 25lbs and still be comfortable enough to do the
> > whole route? Does anyone try to do this whole route with heavy packs?
> > Could this be why there is about a 50% success rate for this venture?
> > Thanks for all the discussion. Extremely helpful!
> >
> >> My sentiments exactly..
> >>
> >> --- "Griffith, Paul C"
> >> <Paul.C.Griffith@bankofamerica.com> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Most of the gain in miles per day is not more miles
> >>> per hour, but more hours actually moving (at least
> >>> in my case).  I don't average much over 2 mph.  But
> >>> if I sleep 7 and sit around 2 hours, I still can
> >>> cover thirty miles in a day.  I find it is much more
> >>> pleasant to amble along than to either sit and look
> >>> at the scenery, or to rush athletically up the
> >>> trail.  With a super light pack, I don't have to
> >>> take long "breaks".  "Breaks" are to get away from
> >>> work.  Strolling ain't work.
> >
> >
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