PCT thru

[Benjamin Jacobs]

Hey all. Still dialing in a few details, but this is my currently planned list:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aij1omsc78P5dGhxcE9TQ0hGVDNpOFVNdGFucU1ITFE&usp=sharing

A few notes:

* I haven't written up Kennedy Meadows drop yet but that will include BV500 and more depending on how the snow looks.
* I already own the majority of this except the pack and tent. I'm currently using a TarpTent Rainbow which I used on the AT; it still has some miles left on it but that's the easiest pickings in my current list to cut some weight. I saw the other recent thread re: shelter and don't mean to rehash anything – mostly looking for horror stories on using a Hexamid / Net Tent before plunking down on those :)
* I sleep /cold/. If it drops below 30, staying warm in the Ultralite means sleeping in a puffy too. The fleece might appear a bit redundant but I generally need one more layer in camp at night than my buddies do.

Think I'm at a good compromise between light and comfortable but.. I always learn a few things when I post. Let me know what you think.

[Andy F]

You probably included these in something else, but if not, consider adding:

map
compass
whistle
sunglasses
sunscreen
insect repellent

[Mike Henrick]

You don't need a compass for the pct, it's extremely well marked and generally easy to follow. Reading topo lines and map features is much more important.

Looks pretty good, few things:
You won't need your bug net or any kind of spray until Kennedy Meadows. Rain chaps or wind pants will work fine. I would highly highly recommend an umbrella if you can hike without poles for part of the day. They are also excellent in rain, I through hiked with a wind breaker, rain pants and an umbrella and stayed far drier than people with actual rain jackets. There is very little shade in SoCal. Also real tent stakes since there's a lot of loose sand in CA. The sawyer will be nice in SoCal but you can ditch it in the Sierra. Expect night time temperatures into the low 20's here and there in SoCal, a bunch in the Sierra and a bunch in WA. It's HOT in northern CA, quilt's are nice for the venting and blanket-ability.

PS
I'm Hiker Box Special in the 2014 yogi guide.

[Seth Brewer]

I would have to disagree with Hikerbox and say that EVERY hiker should carry a compass. I carry a 0.5 oz. Silva Forecaster 610 compass that cost me $9 and has lasted over 5,000 miles and still going strong.

Part of being self-contained and able to handle the UNEXPECTED is being prepared with the BASICS (navigation, fire, shelter, first aid, etc.) and I would disagree that you don't need one on the PCT.

I encountered an unexpected typhoon in Northern Washington that made the trail a solid blanket of snow for a good couple hundred miles, not to mention that in the desert – sandy little trails often look alike – especially in the dark. I also had dust storms in the desert, fog banks that limited trail visibility in Oregon, and numerous other situations that my compass came in handy.

I would consider it somewhat foolish and irresponsible to be a thru-hiker (someone who should be at least as prepared and knowledgeable as those around them) and not have the basics. Forcing search and rescue to come find you would be a waste of needless resources and probably embarrassing if you didn't really have an emergency.

No offense to Hikerbox – as each thru-hike comes with its own challenges, and sometimes navigating the MOSTLY well marked and followable PCT is not the most challenging part of the hike.

I would simply suggest that you READ many opinions from well respected leaders in the field of long-distance hiking and backcountry travel before making any decision.

Have fun and enjoy the walk !!

Seth "Naturally Caffeinated", AT '11, LT '12, NET '12, PCT '13 and mYamaAdventure PCT Thru-hiker Mentor

[Benjamin Jacobs]

Thanks both for your replies!

@Andy – yep! Need all / most of that for sure. Maps is the biggest thing I'm undecided on right now. I've never /not/ carried physical maps (or something like the Thru-hiker's Handbook on the AT), but am considering going out with solely the Guthook and Halfmile apps. I don't really like the idea of having to pull out phone throughout the day and manage batteries, etc., but would also love to avoid printing / chopping / bouncing / etc. a physical copy.

@Michael – thanks for weighing in (and for your thoughts in the form of Yogi's book!). Can definitely go pole-less; time to start watching Gear Swap for a Golite Chromedome I suppose. I'm quilt-curious for exactly the conditions you mention (as well as usually being a side-sleeper), but a bit hesitant to tinker with the Ultralite since I already know its ins and outs. That said, it's by far the easiest place to trim substantial weight – think I just need to beg/borrow/steal one between now and then and see if I like it.

[Benjamin Jacobs]

Compass stays in for sure, Seth. I have a similar one from Suunto (compass + thermometer) that comes with me no matter how short of a hike I'm on. Being self contained is also the biggest driver for me to hang on to physical maps. No matter how convenient the phone seems, all I can think of is how dumb I'd feel if that dies for any of the odd number of reasons a phone can.

[Andy F]

I agree with Seth's thoughts about carrying a compass. I too usually carry one of those compass/thermometers. I also carry a 3 gram button compass backup in my wallet pocket. I have to be careful using it in high winds so that it doesn't blow away. :D

Batteries and electronics can fail unpredictably. I was on a trip once where one guy went ahead of the group, took the wrong trail, and then his only map and compass was has phone. Of course, his battery died. He had a solar charger, but there's not much sunlight on a cloudy day in the forest. He made it back shortly before we left to report him missing because he encountered a couple with a paper map who told him how to get back to the trailhead.

[Mike Henrick]

I stand corrected! 2013 was a low snow year and I finished before the snow started falling in WA so I had no problems with navigation. If that isn't the case a compass is handy to have. However, I did the entire trail without one and never got lost. YRMV!

[Paul Magnanti]

Take a compass and learn how to use it. As other said, a simple compass weighs less than an ounce. The Silva 1-2-3 is a classic example.

I am afraid map and compass use is going the way of long division: Theoretically every (outdoors) person should know it, but it is easier to use electronic equipment and the skills are going away.

Even Triple Crowners are admitting to having poor or non-existent navigation skills in cases.

In the High Sierra is the place that immediately comes to mind where a compass was useful for me. For some reason, a Wolf Lake comes to mind…. The years admittedly makes the memory fuzzy.

[Scott S]

A few thoughts:

– the R1 plus the down parka is overkill. Sleep in the parka if you get cold. The only time you should get temps well below freezing is in the Sierra. If you're really worried about sleeping cold, get the R1 at KM and send it home at Echo Lake. Or just get a sleeping bag liner. A silk liner is 4 ounces or so and adds 5ish degrees to your bag rating. I'm a cold-ish sleeper, and I used a 32-degree bag on the trail with a silk liner and would do so again.

– If you want, you can save an ounce or two with a polycryo groundsheet instead of tyvek. One piece should last the entire trail.

– ditch one of the bic's and get some waterproof matches as a backup. It's hard to keep lighters dry in a multi-day rainstorm like you might get in WA.

[Mike Henrick]

Actually the PCT helped my map reading tremendously since I didn't have a GPS or Smartphone, just halfmiles paper maps. I could almost always tell where I was on the trail within a quarter mile by contours or based on what road/feature I crossed and how long ago. I have done some bushwacks recently in NH and just use the compass starting out, then follow the terrain. The only times I got "lost" where when the trail was a dirt road and branched off somewhere. I don't think a compass would help there anyway.

Mags you might be thinking of the way up to Muir pass, which was a little confusing for me with low snow.

I definitely jumped the gun saying you don't need a compass, it is a silly ounce to cut but I managed without it.

[Miner]

Overall, I think you list looks good. Sure there are a few areas you could drop a few ounces here or there, but overall, it will work. However, I don't see why you want the SMD Nettent when you could just get a Hexamid with built in netting for less overall weight.

I used a compass on the PCT for navigation a few times. I carry a Brunton 27LU ccompass (0.8oz) that has a sight mirror. The mirror makes it dual purpose. On the PCT, I used it to fish out 2 insects out of my eye. And just recently on the TYT which parallels the PCT north of Sonora Pass, I had to use the mirror to check out why my neck was inflammed with pus and whether I wanted to try to drain it in the backcountry or wait until I finished the trail.

But looking at the weight of your Iphone+Otterbox… I'd never carry that much weight for a phone. People really need to start to think about buying their electronics for the trail use. That is one area I noticed is growing heavier in recent years bucking the trend for lighter gear.

[Benjamin Jacobs]

@Scott – roger all that. Good suggestion re: shipping the R1. My other thought along those lines is to swap out the parka and the R1 for a slightly warmer puffy altogether (Alpine Light). Good example of packing my fears, I suppose.

@Mags – definitely taking a compass. As posted previously, the biggest thing I'm wrestling with is whether to take physical maps or be okay with those on a phone (even if not using the phone for GPS). I'm thinking more and more about a hybrid approach – ship maps to all the areas previous hikers mention wanting them and then using digital maps the rest of the way.

@Sean – main reason for the net tent is being able to set it up without the hexamid, although I realize that utility might be more hassle than helpful. A bit more trusting of the durability of floor on the net tent, although I know many people have carried the hexamid (or other cuben floors) successfully. Agree re: the weight of the Otterbox being absurd. If I can find a lighter case that still gives me peace of mind on the phone that's the first thing I'm going to drop. Ditto the Anker which I haven't purchased yet (even if just swapping out for a lighter version).

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