[pct-l] Light vs. Ultralight

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

It is your personal choice what you decide to carry, where you decide to go, and how you choose to travel. All that we at Mountain Education strive to encourage is that you be informed of the realities of the trail, understanding the challenges ahead of you, prepare for them, including the skills to safely overcome them, and exercise your best judgment, after going out on the trail and testing yourself, gear, and food systems, regarding the above as far as what actually "works" for you.

The less weight on your back, the better! However, do not sacrifice your safety and that of your rescuers (based on your anticipated ability to perform what you know and the skills you have practiced relative to the possible situations you may encounter) when you choose to either not bring something or bring something that is simply not up to the task.

For example, really lightweight pant shells usually do not survive an icy glissade and get ripped to shreds. Descents off passes like Forester or Mather (northbound) afford great glissade possibilities, but will your pants or gear protect you from getting wet and cold? Maybe this doesn't matter to you, but at least consider the consequences. If you brought dry, warm clothes to change into at the bottom of a short slide, then this is your solution. If the glissade is a long one, then you may be one frost-bitten mess once at the bottom. Stuff to consider. 

Along the Spring, snow-covered "trail" this May thru July we met many thrus that simply carried a small pad or piece of plastic on which to glissade. (We assumed that this was their informed and chosen method of safely glissading down from the high passes). In all practicality, we would like to hear from them, "Did that keep you from getting wet? Were you still able to self-arrest while both hands were holding onto the pad/plastic? Where was your ice axe at the time? Did you wear gloves so that your hands didn't get ripped up by the crusty ice? Were you able to steer? Would the pad/plastic ever get wrenched out of your hands?"

The objective of good Planning and Preparation is to investigate, test, train/practice, and organize into supplies the choices you have come to based on the information you have gathered and experience obtained. First there is Understanding, then there is Experience. Know the difference.

To some, it is their goal to hike as light as possible, to see for themselves what little they really need and still "get by" without too much discomfort or risk (based on what they know the realities of the trail to be from their own prior experiences). Fantastic! Go for it! What a great challenge! However, this may not be the choice for everyone. 

The principle that lighter can be more comfortable while walking, balancing across a creek crossing or field of suncups, ascending morning snow and ice, or descending those awful granite "stair steps" that can be an 18 inch drop  certainly is true, but what of the rest of the time? Sure, a lightweight poncho is great for rainwear--as long as you don't mind you legs getting wet and the air temp stays warm. Sure, lightweight rain pants will get the job done, but don't sit down on anything that might rip it (you should test this out for yourself before you rely on it later). Sure, a lighter sleeping bag will lessen the overall weight of your pack, but are you certain that the temperatures you expect to encounter on your trip will remain within its tolerable range or is it possible that a cold front or storm might blow in and you'll have to endure a cold, sleepless night?

What of the times not hiking? Is it your purpose to be out there walking from sun-up to sun-down? Will you ever have to cook inside your tent, thereby ruling out the alcohol stove? Could you experience a high-wind, horizontal rain storm which might make questionable some tarp and tent designs at keeping you dry throughout the night? 

What you bring, the design, quality, and durability of it may dictate how enjoyable and safe your trip will be, all systems included, here. One hiker may have the skills experience to know how to set up a tarp-tent in all nasty conditions, on all types of surfaces, including granite, and in a panic, so he or she can have a lighter pack whereas another does not and should not rely on this type of shelter. One hiker may elect to carry and use a ULA Potty Trowel as an ice axe, aware that it may self-destruct in the process, in order to save weight, and regret it later when rescued or worse. Another may choose short gaitors over tall ones in order to save weight or volume only to get severely cut up while post-holing against a submerged boulder.  All these concerns must be addressed in your Planning and Preparation stage for you to make an informed decision based on Experience rather than just Understanding. Hike Your Own Hike, but be ready for it!



Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org