Shakedown Request (PCT 2019 NOBO)

The trash compactor bags are fine. That said, I’ve had the same 2 nylofume bags for maybe 5 years. Both still going strong.

If the bandanna is made from cotton, it’s almost worthless for sun protection. Speaking of which, will you carry sun grubbies for your hands?

have you considered forgoing the phone? You can save over a pound by making a headlamp the only item on your electronics list. Plus it’s psychologically liberating.

Yes, follow your instincts! The Cap Thermal definitely seems redundant to me.  I would also go with the nylofume bags (if not even a simpler, cheaper, lighter garbage bag).  The bags would rarely ever need to come out of your pack.  And if they ever did develop a pin hole somehow, duct tape or band-aid it.

Keep things in perspective, other than in the case of a complete immersion, the nylofume bag is really only there to keep the accidental spill or seeping rainwater from intruding.  Even a few pinholes aren’t likely going to matter in these low-volume, momentary events.

Good luck with the Thru!

@Jeffrey, in 2016 I fell into a river in Washington and my phone was waterlogged dead for the last 350 or so miles. It was definitely liberating, but I rely on Guthooks for navigation and felt a bit anxious lest I lost the trail (thankfully I did not). I also use my phone for podcasts at night when I’m struggling to sleep and for music during some days. The bandanna is the PCT 2016 class bandana. A white cotton shirt is SPF 7, and since this is dyed a darker color and woven more tightly I think it should offer enough head protection (especially when overlaid atop my youthfully full head of hair). If it doesn’t seem to be working I have a Tilley I could have mailed to me, but I like carrying the visor because I can wear it under my rain shell, which doesn’t have much of a natural beak. Haven’t really needed sun gloves in the past.

@Matt, in 2016 I fell into a river in Washington – total immersion. Maybe I could use several nylofume bags in serial (replacing them every 500 miles or something) to save the weight and still be safe in case of total immersion.

Thanks for your time!

John: yes, being Backpackinglight we look for weight saving options. Apparently there are these things called single page “maps” that weigh far less than a phone. The old timers managed with these pretty well!

However: I hear you in terms of needing some distraction at night when you’re looking to fall asleep. I used to carry the lightest paperback book that I could find, but eventually transitioned to the cheapest non back-lit Kindle, which is also the lightest in weight. This carries as many books as you might want for no weight penalty. The non-back lit version means that the battery lasts for a very long time indeed, especially if you don’t go on-line. So no podcasts!

this Kindle weighs a lot less than your phone and battery pack, but it does weigh about 7 ounces (???). That needs to be factored in.

I get lost at the drop of a hat, or worry that I am, so I understand the need for a map as well. I just think that gps is overkill on well marked routes like the pct.

what I like about sun gloves, beyond sun protection, is how they keep mosquitoes off the backs of my hands. I use poles so this definitely an issue. I hate Deet but carry it in season. A single spritz on the sun grubbies really does the trick.

given snow conditions this year, mosquitoes will be a big issue in the spring/summer.

A friend likes his Kindle Paperwhite. The current version is waterproof, which is good for backpacking and the battery lasts 6 weeks with 30 minutes/day of reading.  Not bad.  Sure, this is backpacking light, but you’re going to enjoy your hike.  So, that’s a light option if you want to read during your hike.

Have a great time!

I’m guessing the chair will be the first thing left behind.

Erica, I was thinking the same thing:)