[pct-l] Gear (my 2nd favorite topic)

[jdawud at yahoo.com (Junaid Dawud)]

hey dave,

Thanks for the feedback.  I'll be using dedicated
sleeping clothes (I'm not much of a night sweater). 
I've looked at a WM bag (can't think of the name right
now), it looks nice.  It irks me how expensive all the
good sleeping bags are: $200-$300.....thats like two
or three major gear items.  For that much I sure want
one that works well and is comfy.  If it can fly that
would be a good selling point too.

---------Junaid #41PCT2006
trail aviator

--- Dave Brunjes <dbrunjes1@yahoo.com> wrote:

> I took Yogi's recommendation when I was planning my
> '05 hike and bought a 30 degree Western
> Mountaineering
> bag.   
> I think it's the UltraLight.  It's purple.  There's
> two purple bags, one's Ultralight and one's
> Megalight
> - I own both but, one's a 40 degree and one's a 30
> degree bag.  I'd definatly not recommend the 40
> degree
> bag for the PCT.  Also pick up a sleeping bag liner
> or
> use specific sleep clothes.  My WM bag is in top
> shape
> still, I'll definately use it again for another long
> distance hike.  
> In 2004, I did the JMT, and brought a 20 degree REI
> bag (the Subkilo).  I did not use sleep clothes and
> did not use a liner.  It damaged the bag, and while
> it's still plenty good, the loft on it's about half
> of
> what it was when I got it, and it smells horrible. 
> The WM bag is still great condition and doesn't
> smell
> like death. :)
> Oh and BTW, I carried the WM bag the whole way.  I
> don't think you need a synthetic bag for WA.  We got
> a
> bunch of off and on rain in Washington north of
> Stevens Pass, basically through to Manning, and I
> was
> still happy with my down WM bag.  
> 
> For iceax, I went with a Raven Pro from Black
> Diamond.
>  It was lightweight, but not cheap.  I got
> compliments
> on it from some mountaineer/thru hikers I met on the
> trail.  They scoffed at the one that attaches to a
> hiking pole (the name escapes me right now).  Also,
> one last thing I'll say about axes, if you can swing
> it at all, take a lesson with the axe.  I didn't
> have
> to use my axe on the PCT, but I knew how if I needed
> to.  You don't want to be learning to use it as your
> slipping down a slippery slope to potential
> hazardous
> conditions at the bottom.
> As far as crampons go, unless the weather is like it
> was in 2005 or 1998, you don't need crampons for the
> PCT.  I skipped the Sierra this year, but did them
> in
> 2004.  I think crampons are extraneous weight unless
> you hike inordinately fast (will be at KM before
> June)
> or it's a high snow year like 2005.
> 
> As far as shoes, I started the trail in Saucony
> trail
> runners but they were wearing out quickly, and the
> soles of my feet were hurting.  I switched to
> Merrell
> Pulse shoes in Idylwild, and bought those for the
> rest
> of the trail.  They were a light hiking boot
> basically
> a hybrid between a tennis shoe and a boot.  They had
> a
> little ankle support which I needed early in the
> trip
> before my muscles toughened up.  The only drawback
> to
> them is they are "waterproof" goretex.  This means
> they're heavy, which wasn't an issue for me, and
> they
> don't shed water if you plunge into a stream.
> 
> Guinness
> 
> --- Junaid Dawud <jdawud@yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
> > Aloha everyone,
> > 
> > So the next few items on my to buy list for my 06
> > hike
> > are:
> > 
> > -down sleeping bag
> > -ice ax 
> > -new pack
> > -crampons
> > -MSR 4L dromlite
> > 
> > Sleeping bag: as described in a previous post, it
> > must
> > have a foot box that is semi-rectangular, and it
> > must
> > be a 30ish degree bag.  My 25deg synthetic bag
> will
> > be
> > my sierra/washington bag.  
> > Question: has anyone come across a bag during
> their
> > searches that they think might be a good idea for
> > me? 
> > I've got a few that I've found, but I'd like to
> > start
> > the 'potential' list with as many viable options
> as
> > possible before making cuts and settling on one.
> > 
> > Ice ax: wide open to suggestions here.  I have
> zero
> > frame of reference.
> > 
> > New pack: pretty much settled on the ULA catalyst.
> > My
> > current Jansport pack is my backup (it could
> > probably
> > do the whole trail, but is a bit on the not light
> > side).
> > 
> > MSR Dromlite bag: these water bladders are sweet. 
> > MSR
> > kicks @$$.
> > 
> > Crampons:  the ones on the links page (camp 6)
> look
> > cool.  But again, no frame of reference, so
> > suggestions would be appreciated.  
> > 
> > On a related subject: so I know a lot of people do
> > the
> > trail primarily in sneakers/runningshoes/trail
> > runners, What about for the high sierra?  I'm
> > thinking
> > use a midweight hiking boot with a tough toe area.
> > 
> > --------Junaid #41PCT2006
> > gear luster
> > 
> > 
> > 	
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