Yet Another PCT List

[Eli Zabielski]

LINK: http://lighterpack.com/r/47uqjf

Starting early May, planning to go 25-30mpd on average (100ish days). I did the first 480 miles last year with basically exactly this set up (but I had an umbrella + windshirt), but I'm always looking for advice and ways to fine tune it. I always cowboy camp unless it's raining.

Some things I am thinking about:
* Not really sure I'll use those trekking poles, or poles at all. The Ultra Distance poles are ridiculously popular for American ultra races (for those that do use poles), but they are known to easily break. If no poles I'll put in a carbon fiber tarp pole. I'd like to hear from other high mpd people about how useful poles were for them after weeks and weeks.

* I'm mostly wrestling with making some significant (expensive) changes.
— I could change my sleeping bag to a Zpacks 30 degree, 900 WR Down, and save 3oz. (~$400) But I think the Katabatic bag has a more conservative rating. 30 degrees is already pushing it.
— I could change to a Zpacks Zero backpack and save 5-6oz. (~$180) In the lighter cuben option, this pack would only last long enough for the hike.
— I could change my shelter to a Zpacks Pocket Tarp and save 2oz. ($185) Already asked Joe and he said that if you cowboy camp almost every night, the Pocket Tarp would be fine for the PCT.

* Way to early to see what type of snow gear is needed for the Sierras. I'll add a head net and mail myself some Permethrin to treat my clothing.
* I've got the Zpacks rain jacket down on there, but I haven't bought it yet. Last year I used windshirt + umbrella. My umbrella is still useable but has a partially broken spoke from SoCal wind. The umbrella took the edge off the heat sometimes, but it wasn't a night and day difference in my experience. I could be convinced to go back to that system though.

If I did all of those changes I would be pretty close to sub 5lbs, but it would be pretty costly. But this is BPL, so I gotta put all options on the table!

Let me know what you think.

[Andrew F]

I'd want trekking poles, but it's a personal decision. I find them hugely helpful on high mileage days. You'll do a lot less stumbling when walking over snow with them too.

Personally I wouldn't do the quilt, backpack or pocket tarp. The Palisade is a nice quilt and it seems silly to spend so much for so little weight savings. The backpack will essentially be consumable and you have a perfectly good lightweight pack that should last the hike and then some already. Same thing with the tarp – you will only save a couple ounces and if you do get stuck in multiple days of rain you'll be glad to have the extra room of the solo-plus.

You can save almost as much weight by switching your headlamp to a Petzl e-lite for $26 as you would by getting the pocket tarp.

Do you need the pocket data book or can you just load the trail info on your phone? Could save 3.8 oz there.

[Eli Zabielski]

Thanks Andrew.

Headlamp: I am a huge fan of the BD ReVolt for night hiking and rechargability. It's kind of a catch 22: you need to go light to hike big miles, but big miles means hiking somewhat into the dark a lot of nights. I don't think the e-light is really bright enough for 30-90 minutes of night hiking per day. I know it can be done, Mouse (PCT 2012) didn't have a headlamp at all and he did 81 days. Maybe I just need to be a little less lazy and get an earlier start every day.

Poles: I used Alpine Carbon Corks last year, which seem to be the gold standard of durable/somewhat light poles. Honestly I didn't really use them that much even on a string of 30+ mile days. What I am more worried about is month(s) of high mileage and how much of a difference (even if not noticeable) poles could make.

Databook: I know I could use my phone, but to conserve battery I really just liked having a quick reference without whipping out Halfmile/Guthook all the time. Plus, you go through the databook lighter one day at a time by taking out old pages! Also, in the event my phone stopped working, I would still have all the info I need. I can always ditch the databook if I'm not using it after awhile.

This seems like hairsplitting (it really is), but that's what BPL is for haha.

[Andrew F]

Hiking at night with an e-lite sucks, unless there's a full moon.

How about bringing one pole as a compromise? Then you don't need a separate shelter pole. I hike with one pole all the time and it works great.

Also did you really mean to have two phones on the list?

[Matthew S]

You seem dialed in.

Wake up earlier and use the FULL day. Don't sleep in.

For what it's worth, I would want poles as well. The math works out, poles do improve energy expenditure. Mechanically speaking, not all weigh is explicitly a "drag" if it's being used to allay energy use elsewhere.

Good luck

[Tony Ronco]

RE: "The math works out, poles do improve energy expenditure."

This maybe considered a nit, but one I think is important enough to comment on:
The understanding the difference (confusion) between net energy expenditure, and reduction of exertion peak intensity (by sharing exertion over more muscle groups).
* huh?? read on … *

Energy Expenditure
If the above statement "improve energy expenditure" means increase net energy expenditure, then it agrees with the current research
… if however "improve energy expenditure" means reduce net energy expenditure, then it is counter to the research.

Here is one illustrative example of the research
Here is another illustrative example of the research.

Important Note: Research above involves various forms of Nordic Walking, a generally more vigorous form of pole use … but it is reasonable to conclude that the less vigorous use during hiking would simply lessen the amount of extra energy expended … but extra net energy never the less. This represents a potential disadvantage that is commonly overlooked: the need to carry more calories (food) … for gram counters this maybe be a more significant consideration.

Sharing exertion over more muscle groups
This is where poles can shine, they reduce the intensity of exertion on legs, delaying their exhaustion. Poles functioning as movable hand rails certainly do that and they certainly can aid you during off balance moments.
That sharing of the load over more muscle groups blissfully removes some of the load isolation off your legs … but the considerations for how useful that benefit will be to you is heavily dependent on your load weight, your conditioning & the strength of your legs .

You're going very light (which will naturally greatly lessen the load requirement on your legs), and I'm assuming you very fit. Given those two things, there is no compelling "math" for you to use poles, it is all simply a matter your personal preference. HYOH

Have a wonderful journey.

EDIT: A few changes for clarity and improving my English :-)

[Anonymous]

"Sharing exertion over more muscle groups
This is where poles can shine, they reduce the intensity of exertion on legs.
Poles functioning as movable hand rails certainly do that and they certainly can aid you during off balance moments.
That sharing of the load over more muscle groups blissfully removes some of the load isolation off your legs … but the considerations for how much that benefit is useful to you are your load weight and your condition & strength of your legs ."

Another consideration is how long you are hiking. Using poles can delay the onset of leg muscle glycogen depletion to the degree the arms/poles supply propulsive force.

[Simon Kenton]

No cook?

[D M]

How you use the poles, bio mechanically speaking, matters. I see a lot of people "pulling" themselves along rather than using the poles in a more ergonomic manner like the Pacer Pole method. Just watch a few films of people using poles and decide for yourself. As I've gotten stronger, I use them less, but I'm darn happy I have them when I need them, like during an occasional stumble that might have led to a hike ending injury.

[Jake S]

I'm sure this will come across as nitpicking, but you either need to list a re-hydrating container or add in some empty plastic bags. ;)

[Frank T]

Poles most definitely make a difference in how my legs feel after a long day of hiking.

And they greatly reduce the onset of "cigar fingers" which comes about when I'm hiking without poles and with my hands down near my sides.

[Eli Zabielski]

I'm not planning on rehyrdrating, so I don't need a container for that. The spoon on the list is for eating peanut butter and nutella, or putting one/both of those on a tortilla.

[Jake S]

Fair enough. It was indeed the spoon that had me confused. :)

[Eli Zabielski]

I think I'm going to start without poles and see how that goes. If I start getting extremely fatigued after a month or two, I'll have my Alpine Carbon Corks sent to me and see if that helps. From my hiking/running so far I haven't used poles regularly even on high mileage days.

I also went with the Zpacks 20 degree quilt. For basically the same weight as the Katabatic 30, it will probably be a little warmer and just nicer than dealing with a quilt. Also we'll see how 900 WR down works.

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