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PCT 2013 Mid-Late May Start NOBO – 3.5-4 month desired timeframe


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Home Forums Gear Forums Gear Lists PCT 2013 Mid-Late May Start NOBO – 3.5-4 month desired timeframe

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  • #1301592
    Seth Brewer
    BPL Member

    @whistler

    Locale: www.peaksandvalleys.weebly.com

    Greetings fellow BPL'rs — would love some feedback as to layering / warmth set-up that I've got (mid/late may start, hoping to end by Aug/Sept). Thinking Guthook Guide on an Ipod Touch + battery brick (not included in list yet)…thoughts are appreciated.

    About me : Used a WM 35* bag on the AT in 2011 down to *25 comfortably with layering, and a 50* synthetic bag after Pearisburg all the way to the end. . 6'1" , 175 lbs. Have done the AT, New England Trail, and the Long Trail. NO west coast hiking experience. Compass skills need practice – hence the PCT App +battery backup. Comfortable hiking in cold/wet weather. Read up on self-arrests, but no opportunity to actually practice yet — leave that for a sunny day (have Microspikes and Corsa Ice Axe if needed). Comfortable going without a stove for the hotter sections. Using some of GG/Malto's advice on fueling and electrolytes.

    And…GO ! Hit me with your best thoughts !

    Base Weight (132.8 oz. = 8.3 lbs)

    Shelter (19 oz.) = *Sponsor Gear Test: Yama Mountain Gear Cuben Cirriform SW* (17 oz.), 6” Ti-Eye Stakes (10 stakes = 2 oz.)

    Backpack (18.5 oz.) = Zpacks Arc Blast (17 oz.) , LiteTrail NyloBarrier Pack Liner (1.5 oz.)

    Sleeping (26.2 oz.) = Thermarest Z-lite Torso (8 oz.) , Zpacks 30* Wide/X-Long Sleeping Bag (18.2oz.)

    Hygiene/Tools/Lighting = (10.4 oz.), Leatherman Style CS – (1.4 oz.) , Petzl Tikka XP (3 oz.) , Sanitizer/TP (4 oz.), Wet Wipes (2 oz.)

    Clothing Carried (25.3 oz.), = BirdiePal Chrome Dome (8 oz.), Houdini Windshirt (4.3 oz.),Montbell Dynamo Wind Pants (2 oz.) , Running Shorts (2 oz.) , Mountain Hardwear Ghost Hooded Parka (8 oz.), (2) Injini Liner Toe Socks (2 oz.), Buff Bandana/Hiker to Town Sign (1 oz.)

    Emergency / First Aid / Gear Repair (4 oz.) = Cuben Repair Tape / Sunscreen/ Chapstick , Bag Balm / Needle / Dental Floss / Roll Gauze Leukotape P / Aleve / Salt Tabs / Bacitracin Bandages/ MEDS (Metronidazole, Cipro, Heavy Pain Meds, Antihistamine, Antidiarrheal

    Music / Photo/Ditty Bag: (14 oz.) = ,Camera, Extra Battery, StickPic (8 oz.) ,Ipod Touch w/Guthook’s PCT App / PCTHYOH App / Compass (4 oz.)* (Battery brick not included in weight — est. 4 oz. for 4000mAh (2 x charge))
    License / CC / Cash (2 oz.)

    Food/Water Storage / Purification: (15.4 oz.) = Sawyer Squeeze Filter (3 oz.) , 2 L Evernew Bladder (2 oz.), (2) Gatorade H2O 1 L Bottles (3 oz.), STS 20 L Silnylon Food Bag (3 oz.), STS 5L Silnylon Snack Bag (1.5 oz.), STS Alpha Light Spork (0.4 oz.),
    Plastic Lidded Container (2.5 oz.)

    ** CLOTHING/ GEAR – WORN (52 oz.) **
    RailRiders Adventure LS Top (7 oz.)
    Tilley LTM8 Airflo Hat (4 oz.)
    Sunglasses (Rx) (3 oz.)
    RailRiders Eco-Mesh Pants (10 oz.)
    Altra Lone Peak sz 13 (14 oz.)
    Dirty Girl Gaiters (1.8 oz.)
    Darn Tough ¼ socks & Injinji Toe Socks (3 oz.)
    Komperdell Peak UL Compact (12.8 oz/pair) SoCal**

    ** SIERRA’S/ Whitney Supply Box @ Kennedy ** Meadows and OR/WA**
    DEET (1.5 oz.)
    Headnet (1.5 oz.)
    Bearikade Weekender (Thanks to a generous BPL member for the loaner through the Sierra's) (31 oz.)*
    NeoAir Xlite Large (15 oz.) (Swap)
    MLD eVent Mittens / Rainproof – (1 oz.)
    Light Fleece Glove Liners / Fleece Beanie (4 oz.) (KM ? or OR/WA for cold)
    Bic Mini Lighter / 10 WP matches (0.8 oz.)
    MSR Titan Kettle / WhiteBox Solo II Stove/ Fuel Bt / Screen (7 oz.)

    #1975469
    Dirk R
    BPL Member

    @dirk

    I doubt you will need an ice axe or microspikes this year – snowpack won't be much of an issue. You have a very nice list and just be sure to wear a fair amount of sunscreen and enjoy! It can get fairly warm in SoCal – 4 liters of water should be enough but be sure to keep an eye on the water report. Have fun!

    #1975688
    Scott S
    Member

    @sschloss1

    Locale: New England

    It's a good list.

    With the umbrella, you can probably get away without a rain jacket or rain pants for CA. But maybe think about adding one for OR/WA. Unlike the AT, on the PCT you are at high altitude, and when it rains it gets much colder. But if you think the umbrella is enough, then stick with it.

    This is totally an area of individual preference, but I liked having a stove in southern CA. We generally hiked from 5 am until 1 pm and took an afternoon siesta until 4ish, after which we hiked until dark. We almost always cooked dinner during this afternoon down time. You can also just cook at water sources to avoid having to carry extra water.

    If you're going to use the iTouch for navigation, I would suggest getting the best case you can find for it.

    +1 on Dirk's comment. I would absolutely leave the Microspikes home this year. I would only consider the ice axe if you see reports of snowy passes. Since you're starting late, there should be a lot of people ahead of you to give you info on trail conditions.

    Have a great hike.

    #1981622
    Seth Brewer
    BPL Member

    @whistler

    Locale: www.peaksandvalleys.weebly.com

    With wanting to start hiking at 5am -> 1pm (nap/eat) then start again from around 4pm till dark…what do you think about just bringing a Petzl eLite (1 oz.) instead of the Petzl XP (3.30oz.) ?? What should I expect the light to be like at 5am in SoCal ?

    #1981645
    Bob Gross
    BPL Member

    @b-g-2-2

    Locale: Silicon Valley

    Hiking at 5:00 a.m. is not terribly difficult if you are in the open. The light is much better by 5:30. However, you will probably need to wake up and cook earlier than you depart. A good headlamp is essential at 4:30 a.m.

    –B.G.–

    #1981903
    Seth Brewer
    BPL Member

    @whistler

    Locale: www.peaksandvalleys.weebly.com

    Appreciate the input — I think I'll be sticking with the XP since I can recharge it via the CORE USB rechargeable battery, and since I'm bringing a Battery brick (MonoPrice $32 4000mAh at 4.2 oz.) it will save me buying batteries along the way. Also will help if I hike early in the morning or later into the evening.

    #1981923
    Hiking Malto
    BPL Member

    @gg-man

    I was doing a 5am start many days in SoCal. There was little need for a headlamp to hike but I sometimes used it to pack. Gear looks fine. One caution, watch your feet. You may think they are bullet proof but the heat and fine dirt will quickly shred them. Take the time to clean your feet and change your socks. A few minutes will save hours of pain.

    I was just up in your necks the woods, hiked Cheshire to Salisbury this weekend. Loved Sages Ravine!

    #1981930
    Seth Brewer
    BPL Member

    @whistler

    Locale: www.peaksandvalleys.weebly.com

    Appreciate the info Greg — and I too love the Sages Ravine area. I'll watch my feet and do my best to take breaks and clean up. Adding a bit more weight in personal care items than I did on the AT, but with the constant feedback similar to yours (keep your feet clean, clean them often, and change socks frequently) I think the added weight will be worth it.

    A final nagging concern I have is: With a 30* Zpacks bag, a Ghost Whisperered Hooded Down Jacket, Buff, WM Sleep sack liner (talked to many folks who gladly added a couple ounces to keep all the nasty out of their down bags) and sleep socks, and Wind pants / shirt if needed — I'm still wondering if I'll be warm enough. Guess I'll find out soon enough ! (I do have a WM Alpinlite as backup should the Zpacks bag not be warm enough)

    #1982056
    Hiking Malto
    BPL Member

    @gg-man

    I used my Golite UL-20 the whole way, no cold nights. As far as liners, I actually found that my long pants stayed relatively clean. My legs however would get filthy. So I never saw the need for a liner on the PCT. are you doing a journal? You will have at least one loyal follower!

    #1982111
    Seth Brewer
    BPL Member

    @whistler

    Locale: www.peaksandvalleys.weebly.com

    The UL20 tends to be more of a 30* bag I think, so that should jive with what I was hoping to accomplish.

    My BLOG / Website : http://www.peaksandvalleys.weebly.com (still not complete, but getting there) and will be trying to add to it during the hike (every few weeks).

    QUESTION: Since I don't normally use long pants to hike, I'm a running shorts and t-shirt guy usually

    —> What is the Best underwear / anti-chafing combo you've found ??

    #1982262
    Hiking Malto
    BPL Member

    @gg-man

    Anti-chafing
    1) boxer briefs, far superior to lined short in my experience.
    2) wipes and frequent cleaning.
    3) anti microbial powder a couple times a day. (Also use powder on feet, great to prevent athletes feet and helps keep dirt from sticking)

    I found chafing to be a much bigger issue with heat and high mile days. The above strategy has all but eliminated the issue.

    #1982430
    Brian Lewis
    Member

    @brianle

    Locale: Pacific NW

    To the good ideas in the last post, I'll add a couple more ideas:

    Alternate going commando, i.e., no underwear. This helps some people (including me sometimes), but not others, so — YMMV. But if nothing else is working, give it a shot.

    Losing weight is certainly no bad thing; I tend to chafe only when I'm carrying more pounds than I like, so that the inner part of my fatter thighs are more prone to rubbing together. Obviously this isn't a quick fix (!), but still.
    On a thru-hike excess body weight is a problem that tends to take care of itself after the first 2 – 4 weeks on trail.

    #1985995
    Evan Chartier
    Spectator

    @evanchartier

    In my experience, I found a windshirt to be useless on the PCT. Of course this depends on your personal temperature, but I carried a Montbell wind jacket and found it to be useless. I either wanted to wear my down jacket or nothing, and found that the wind jacket was overkill. Just a thought.
    Evan

    #1986074
    Guy Trek
    BPL Member

    @trek_guy

    My blueprint for not chafing…
    1. Chamois Butt'r on inside of legs and other obvious areas (popular cycling product, they have it at REI) applied once each morning. They sell tiny packets to minimize weight.
    2. Under Armour Boxerjock boxer briefs, which is something suggested up above.

    And for no blisters…
    1. Coat toes and feet with BodyGlide (popular running product, they have it at REI) once each morning. Never any blisters! They sell a travel size to minimize weight.

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