[pct-l] the fuss about prepardness

[Jerry Goller]

 That's not lightweight hiking. It's stupid hiking. 

Although I am an ultralight backpacker I also keep it real. Going to
southern Utah in the late spring/early (*very* early) summer? A 5 pound dry
weight pack is very doable in complete safety. No tent needed because there
are no skeeters and no rain. Freak afternoon shower? No problem. It won't
last long and I'll soon dry out. 

The Uintas in summer? 8-9 pounds is very doable with shelter and rain gear. 

Winter in the Uintas? My pulk, loaded with all gear for -20F conditions
weighs in at around 37 pounds, including the pulk. That is with a large two
man tent. If I'm going by myself I can get a pack down to around 25 pounds
or less. And, trust me, I take no chances in the mountains of Utah in the
winter.....

Jerry


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-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Will M
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2008 11:08 AM
To: Jeff
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] the fuss about prepardness

Over the years, I've constantly debated with myself, the merits of
ultralight backpacking.  I think its a great philosophy and a good starting
point, but I have never been able to completely embrace the philosophy for
just the reasons we are discussing today.

I remember vividly an ultralight hiker bragging about how small and light
her pack was, in a shelter on the Appalachian trail.  Everyone ooohd and
awed'd over her awesome pack and gear but what they didn't see was 5 minutes
later, she asked to borrow a dry shirt form one of the other hikers because
all her gear ( what little she had) was wet.  The other hiker was in a bind.
She didnt want her friend to suffer but she said that she only had one dry
shirt left for sleeping in.

I think there is far too much emphasis on hiking light.  I see it on the
PCT-L and trail forums and Whiteblaze.  You name it, folks are always
trotting out their pack weights as if somehow, their light weight gear makes
them the better, more self-sufficient hiker.