[pct-l] Gossamer Gear packs anyone?

[Craig Rice]

I've used two Gossamer Gear packs for my section hikes of the PCT--a  
G5 for Washington and Oregon in 2006 and a modified Whisper (I had two  
side pockets added to make sort of a mini-G5) for Campo to Kennedy  
Meadows in 2007. Both packs worked well on the trail. The rest of the  
PCT I had previously used Six Moon Design (Starlight and Moonlight)  
packs, but ultimately switched to Gossamer Gear packs for their  
lighter weights. The G5 and Whisper were more than adequate for these  
950 and 750 miles sections, respectively, of the PCT. My G5 now has  
around 1200 miles on it, and I continue to use it. The Whisper died  
after about a 1000 miles following some rough cross-country use in the  
Sierra's. Too much scraping against granite and manzanita eventually  
wore out the fabric.

For an ultralight backpacker, the Gossamer Gear packs are well suited  
to the predominately open, clear trails of the PCT. I would they  
carried much better than the Six Moon Designs pack I had previously  
used. For the Sierra sections, the Mariposa would be my pack of  
choice. The extra load carrying capacity of the Mariposa relative to  
the G5 or Whisper is better suited for this stretch of trail. The rest  
of the PCT, a G5 or Whisper was more than sufficient for me. Gossamer  
offers both sil-nylon and spin-cloth packs. I would recommend the sil- 
nylon over the spin-cloth. The sil-nylon seems much less prone to  
snags and abrasion.

Sil-nylon is surprisingly abrasion-resistant, and relatively robust  
material considering its weight. But it still needs to be babied. If  
you're the type who "takes good care of you gear", you'll be happy. If  
you like to just drop your pack without regard for where it lands;  
drag it behind your car, or spend a lot of time going cross country  
you'll be better off with a heavier and more robust fabric. Sil-nylon  
will have a shorter life than heavier fabric. But given how light  
weight and compact the Gossamer Gear packs are, you might consider  
putting a spare in your bounce box.