[pct-l] A few gear questions

Tue Nov 27 23:12:24 CST 2012

I use the Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel and the Guide 10 Plus charging pack to go with it.  It isn't too heavy if you're into your power and it's a great charger even with some cloud cover.  Plenty to keep an iPhone charged.  I run my GPS to track my hike all day long and take lots of pictures and some video (video chews through batteries even more than GPS does) and I can keep it pretty well charged I just have to manage it precisely.  Without using GPS and particularly if you had it in airplane mode most of the time you'd have power to spare even allowing for tree/cloud blockage of sun.  (I primarily am in the Portland Oregon area for reference)

Mike / GoalTech

On Nov 27, 2012, at 7:27 PM, Randy Godfrey <randy3833 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Regarding the iPhone and a charging system: Have you read the blog by Mama Bear and Monkey (Heather and Sierra). Check out their gear list. Heather lists the charger she used. They both just completed their PCT thru-hike this fall, 2012. I believe they used a PowerMonkey Explorer.
> 
> http://www.sierrapct.blogspot.com/
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Tracy Fisher <tfisher9 at hotmail.com>
> To: nathan4517 at gmail.com; pct-l at backcountry.net 
> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 10:36 AM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] A few gear questions
> 
> 
> Hello everyone, I too have the same questions as Nathan regarding the larger tent size.  I was going to get the Big Agnus Fly Creek UL2 (7sq ft) for my partner and I but when I looked at it in the store was surprised how small it looked so opted for the Fly Creek UL3 (12.5sq ft).  As I bought this at REI I can easily take it back. How often are we limited to space on the trail?  Most of the time or just occassionally?  Also, was wonder about responses to Nathan's questions regarding the solar charger. Nice questions Nathan! Good luck.  :-)  Tracy
>> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2012 10:53:09 -0700
>> From: nathan4517 at gmail.com
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: [pct-l] A few gear questions
>> 
>> Hello Everyone,
>> 
>> In planning for the 2013 year I have a few questions for the group:
>> 
>> 
>> At this point I am considering two tents: The Six Moon Design Haven with
>> netting or the Tarp Tent StratosSpire 2.  They are very comparable tents
>> but the Haven is a bit smaller, lighter and more expensive (~6oz,3sf,$25)
>> 
>> 
>> The extra space on the TT vestibules (33in on each side) would be very nice
>> for storing gear and better ventilation in a storm but I worry it will be
>> hard to find spots on the trail to support the large footprint (7ft L X 9ft
>> W),
>> 
>> 
>> I have read books where people say they could not find a spot to sleep
>> other than directly on the trail. Is this a valid concern or will there be
>> enough room 99% of the time?
>> 
>> 
>>   I think overall the tent comparison comes down to extra living space vrs,
>> 6oz less weight. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>   My wife and I will both bring Iphone’s (4S) for music, Halfmiles Map
>> App(As backup), and our only cameras.
>> 
>> 
>> We are just starting to map out our resupply points but it looks like we
>> will be in a town roughly every 3 days. My guess is we can get around 1.5
>> days of power from each phone so we will need to recharge on the trail. My
>> two considerations are a solar charger or an external battery.
>> 
>> The pros of a solar charger is you never run out of power (provided you’re
>> in a sunny area) and you don’t have to wait hours in town for all of your
>> battery’s to charge.
>> 
>> 
>>   So far I am leaning towards 1 6000mAh(4 Charges) battery backup.  There
>> are other options out there that offer 7 charges and 11 charges but I am
>> just not sure how much power one typical uses.
>> 
>> 
>> I would expect we would listen to a few hours of music a day, check
>> Halfmiles Map app about a dozen times, and frequent photos.
>> 
>> 
>> Did anyone use an Iphone in 2012 and what was your experience on battery
>> life? I would be very interested in hearing real life experience on the
>> trail.
>> 
>> Currently my wife and I have two good sleeping bags. A Marmot Pinnacle (44
>> oz) and an REI Joule (35oz) We are considering getting a 20 degree extra
>> wide quilt to share between us or just use one sleeping bag unzipped with
>> individual silk liners for around 700miles. Is this realistic with some of
>> the higher passes in the desert? It would reduce our weigh from 79oz to
>> 25.5oz almost 2 liters of water.  We have shared an unzipped sleeping bag
>> in the past without issue into the 40s,
>> 
>> 
>> Thanks for the advice!
>> 
>> Nathan
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