Hypothetical PCT/AT List

[Rick Rogers]

Fantasizing about a PCT or AT hike in a year. Learning about ultralight backpacking principles. I’d appreciate a review of this list, mostly so I can learn and refine. No need to do a comprehensive review, and a quick glance over so I can learn is fine.

About me: 48 years old, have backpacked on two 6 day and one 10 day wilderness adventure with Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout; adventures at Double H, Philmont, and Northern Tier). Find peace and grace in the backcountry like nowhere else. Plenty of funds to spend on backpacking hobby, but “A Scout is Thrifty” so okay with spending money on quality/function but don’t want the exponential cost increase for truly marginal gains. Dream of doing PTC/AT/CDT and/or PNT before I die.

Need to get in better shape before doing a PCT or AT hike, but live less than 3 miles from AT so trail with reasonable elevation changes is easily accessible for training. On past New Mexico adventures, had some chafing issues in unmentionable parts. Sweat a lot and I seem to drink more water than normal while hiking (5-6 liters per day). Wool seems like a better fabric for me given sweat than polypro.

I think I am a cold sleeper. I have been cold at ~50 degrees in a 30 degree down REI bag. I included extra gooseFeet sleeping gear to compensate for the Palisade quilt. Side sleeper so the quilt has some real attraction.

A bit of a klutz and therefore wary of alcohol stoves. No interest in accidentally starting a forest fire. Ultra-reliable resupply person (my lovely and understanding wife) who can mail (or drive, across 3-4 states) supplies to me as need. Attracted to Montebell because of weight/price/quality tradeoff but happy to consider other options.

Odd body dimensions: 6′ 0″ with 30″ inseam so especially long torso and short legs. Have read books by Jackie McDowell, Justin Lichter, Mike Cleland (love the illustrations!), and Dan Feldman (the best!). Have read many articles on Section Hiker, Backpacking Light, Outdoor Gear Lab, Snarky Nomad,

Proposed gear list: https://lighterpack.com/r/2e8ie8

Open to any and all feedback. Won’t be defensive about criticism. Thank you.

[Owen M]

Looks pretty good. I see a few small things that could be ditched/simplified: no trowel (just upend a rock or use a tent stake, no need for a map case, ditch the brillo pad and just use small rocks in the stream, repackage the aqua mira drops in mld mini droppers, 10 oz feels like a lot for first aid/toiletries – maybe post those in a separate thread and get some help cutting it down?, also a lot of weight for electronics – (since you’ll be in and out of towns and on a pretty popular trail with other people to find you if you get hurt, maybe ditch the DeLore? or ditch the bigger camera and just use your iPhone?), and your stove setup seems pretty heavy.  My small pot and canister stove is about 4.5 oz total.  Others might chime in about alky vs. canisters, but if I was going on a thru hike I would definitely go alcohol.  Lighter, easier to resupply, no need to recycle anything, can take only as much as you need for a section, etc.

Also, I would make sure to add extra socks (especially sleeping socks) to your list.

The only big thing that jumps out at me is the 40+ oz for a shelter.  That seems pretty heavy for a $1000+ cuben shelter.  If you already have it and love it, then I would say go for it and take the penalty, but you could cut over a pound off your base weight by switching to a Zpacks shelter or a tarp+bivy setup.

Much will depend on which trail you decide to do, as the AT and PCT are very different.  Also, what you need for a given section will vary depending on the location and the season.  For example, you probably won’t need those down pants on the AT in July..  But you can mail them ahead so you have them later on.

I would strongly recommend going out as much as possible with your gear choices so that you can learn what works best for you (and get in shape).  There’s no way of knowing what your preferred setup is without getting on the trail with different things and trying them out.

[Matthew / BPL]

Your list includes more stuff than I seem to need but you need to find your own comfort level and see what works for you. Your gear choices are from popular, high-quality brands so you should be able to easily sell items you decide you don’t really need for 50 or 80% of what you paid for them. Take your best guess at the gear you need and start spending more nights on the trail.

That shelter seems really heavy given the price. I know they make bombproof gear but you probably won’t be in conditions that rough. Also the 2P inner in a mid means you get rain inside when you open the door. You might be better off with a 1P inner which gives you a nice big cooking area/vestibule and a protected nest in the back.

[Rick Rogers]

Thank you so much Owen and Matthew. I’ll rethink the shelter, and re-organize the list to show the down sleeping items are optional additions for cold weather. I’ll also rethink the electronics and stove system. I truly appreciate the advice, as this helps me get a reasonably representative set together for shakedown and conditioning hikes on the nearby A-T.

[Link .]

I disagree with Owen about carrying a potty trowel Why ultralight hikers should carry potty trowels .

[Link .]

I agree with Paul Magnanti in THIS THREAD about trowels the PCTA also asks that you carry one.

[Author]

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