[pct-l] Light Weight Equipment

[PCT-L Guest Post <milt@backcountry.net>]

* Message posted to PCT-L from the National Scenic Trails Website
* by our guest Read Miller <Read@ReadMiller.com>.
* Please use <mailto:Read@ReadMiller.com> to reply to the sender.

Even a one pound pack seems heavy to me.
Glen VanPeski called yesterday and offered to loan me his new model for a tryout. How could I say no?
 
I used an earlier version on the PCT for about 1300 miles this summer and loved it so I was expecting to be impressed. I was.
 
The new one weighs 11.2 ounces, over three ounces less than my older one. The volume looks even larger. I haven't been able to measure it but I would guess 4,500 cubic inches. There are three huge external mesh pockets made with stronger material. The mesh pockets were the only part to show ware on my old one. Glen's background as a civil engineer who has sewed most of his life shows in the construction. All the stress points are double or triple stitched. He has widened the shoulder straps and the hip belt and added Velcro pockets in which socks or other items can be placed for padding.  The mesh pockets on that hold a ZRest against the back are deeper thus containing the pad more securely when the pack is removed. The older one looks homemade. This one looks quite professional. 
 
My test was a short one, about six miles. Since I've seen a number of posts expressing concern about handling heavier loads with very light packs, I loaded it up with all my regular gear, some extra cold weather clothing, 7 days of food, and 5 quarts of water bringing my total load to 37 pounds. After a resupply on the trail I'm usually in the low 20's and I doubt that I'm ever over 30 pounds.
 
The route I took is one that I do frequently for training, carrying 40 to 50 pound loads in an internal frame pack with lots of padding and support. I could feel that the weight was lighter and therefor more comfortable. I tightened the hip belt  snugly and had almost no weight on my shoulders. The padding pockets are fairly small but the straps were wide enough that I felt no need for padding and didn't use any. The load felt stable and comfortable. In fact with the beautiful view of Mount San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio in the distance I tended to forget that I was carrying a pack and should be paying attention to testing.
 
Glen is a close friend so it's hard to be totally objective but I'm convinced that the new GVP is very well suited to the kind of hiking I like (carrying less than 20 pounds and covering about 25 miles per day). On those times when I need to carry more, I expect that the pack should do fine up to 40 pounds. I really like the light weight, the hip belt, the large mesh pockets, the craftsmanship, the easy access to my sleeping pad, and the ability to use clothing for padding when needed.
 
A have a couple of small nits to pick. This version is designed to use a full width six section Z Rest. I narrow mine by 4" saving 3.2 ounces and I naturally feel that those who are interested in an ultra-light pack would want that weight saving. Since I find the wider straps are quite comfortable without the padding, perhaps the pockets could be eliminated, saving a couple of ounces. Can we get to a comfortable, serviceable 8 ounce pack?
 


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