[pct-l] Backpack

[Jeffrey Olson]

 From my perspective it's all about the "system" you carry.  For 
example, I use a Golite Pinnacle or Gust.  I put in an airlines thick 
and large plastic bag to keep everything inside dry.  I then coil a 
full-length blue foam pad inside the plastic sack and pack that acts as 
an extremely efficient frame.  Inside the sleeping pad goes a sleeping 
quilt and Tarptent Contrail, clothes, food, and other gear.  Everything 
fits inside the rolled up foam pad.

I don't "stuff" the quilt, now eight years old and still fluffy so my 
pack never seems to get smaller.  I can carry a bear cannister when 
required without too much fuss.  I can carry six days of food 
comfortably.  (comfortably means 3 lbs a day fits)  My base weight is 
about 13 or 14 pounds, depending on if I carry a book or an extra warm 
layer.

Other systems are based on using a much smaller pack and hanging or 
tying gear on the outside.  Generally this system has you use a small 
shoulder to hips sleeping pad and use extra clothing and the pack itself 
to insulate legs and feet.  The sleeping bag is stuffed of course.

I'm a big fan of having a system before purchasing a new pack/gear...

Here are items I take and their approximate weights.


Pack22 oz

Sleeping quilt21 oz

Sleeping pad10 oz

Tent27 oz

Torso Pad4 oz

Insulation Pad  for groundcloth 3 oz

Sit pad2 oz

89 oz = 5 lbs, 9 oz.

Book9 oz

Compass1 oz

Rope2 oz

Duct Tape1 oz

Hydrocodone2 oz

Mosquito Repellant3 oz

Glasses1 oz

Iodine Pills2 oz

Ibuprofen2 oz

Toothbrush2 oz

Handi wipes4 oz

Camera & accessories12 oz

Ditty Bag41 oz = 2 lbs, 9 oz

Sunglasses and case3 ozWhat I'm wearing

Poncho8 ozShirt

Bandanas1 ozShorts

Gatorade bottles - 24 ozNB 809

Plastic cup2 ozSocks

Trowel2 ozSunhat

Garbage bags 2 oz2 hiking poles

Polypro bottoms6 oz

Polypro tops6 oz

Patagoniatop8 oz

Lip stuff1 oz

4 pair socks6 oz

spoon1 oz

food stuff sack3 oz

wind shirt3 oz

stocking hat2 oz

primaloft Vest - colder climes 8 oz

Toilet paper4 oz

Gear

68 oz = 4 lbs, 4 ozTotal12 lbs, 6 oz,


On 11/20/2011 7:48 AM, Joe Roth wrote:
> After I retire in 2 years my wife and I will hike the entire PCT. We
> are starting to gear up. What  light weight backpacks are popular for
> this? Is there a list of equipment makes and models that worked? In my
> 1976 A.T. through hike I carried an average of 55 pounds. We want to
> walk the PCT with a base of about 20 or less. Thank you :-)
>
>