[pct-l] Ultralight???

[Karen Borski <kborski@yahoo.com>]

Thanks "Montedodge@aol.com" for sending that post regarding pack
weights.  I am a fairly new lurker on this list and was beginning to
wonder whether I was the only person considering thru-hiking the PCT
with a pack that weighed over 40 lbs.  I am very interested in cutting
down on weight, but I just finished a thru-hike of the AT last year and
spent many hours occupying my brain while hiking pondering the
necessity of each item on my back.  I also experimented on the trail
with doing without items like camp sandals, extra clothes, swiss army
knives and testing iodine vs. filter, stove vs. cold food, etc.  As
much as I'd like to have a 15-20 lb pack, I simply don't feel
comfortable with the gear, or should I say lack of gear, required for
that low of a pack weight.  

I guess I'm saying that I know my preferences now -- the items I carry
in my pack have been tried and tested and I don't feel comfortable with
less.  However, I still feel rather frustrated that it seems many
others are making do with less.  Anyone else share this feeling? 
Perhaps I'm not understanding the lightweight concept yet, as I've not
had the opportunity to read Jardine's famous book.

I am really enjoying the posts to the list.  They are always focused
and informative.  Thanks to everyone!

Karen
Nocona AT98 & PCT00 hopeful
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