[pct-l] First timer

Thu Apr 21 17:30:16 CDT 2016

There are a whole bunch of people who feel the same about the Gossamer
Mariposa back.  Very similar to the ULA Circuit.  A hair less weight and
around the same price and equally duable.  I like it because of the
overflap and multiple outside pockets.

On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 2:29 PM, Dan Welch <welchenergy at gmail.com> wrote:

> Ditto to what Shroomer says about the ULA circuit.  I saw a LOT of them
> out on the PCT in 2014 - and never heard anyone who was dissatisfied.
> That's not to say you shouldn't consider other packs - just that I think
> you ought to include it in the list of packs you may want to consider.  It
> is light-weight, rugged, and comfortable.  Those are my main priorities.
> And when I had a hip belt buckle that was not fastening as securely as I
> liked, they shipped a replacement hip belt to me on the trail at absolutely
> no charge.  Good people making good products...
>
> Timberline
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Scott
> Williams
> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 5:10 PM
> To: Brick Robbins
> Cc: pct-l @backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] First timer
>
> Hey Sabrina,
>
> I agree, the first thing is not to buy gear, but try as much different
> stuff as you can over the next year.  See what fits and what doesn't and
> keep listening in on gear and pack discussions on line.  And for a shot at
> really ultra light backpacking, Bryce is right, most of "the big three"
> items we all use are not found at REI.  Lots of other stuff is, and
> they're still my favorite toy store.  "The big three" are 1. shelter, 2.
> sleeping bag and 3 backpack.  For these, a multitude of wonderful companies
> have sprung up in the US, specifically catering to thru hikers, i.e.. ultra
> light backpackers.  Nowhere else in the world do you have such a plethora
> of great little companies producing something so specific, as we have
> here.  These companies are all oriented toward our National Scenic Trails.
> And that's because nowhere else on earth do you have so many thousands and
> thousands of miles of safe, long distance, wilderness hiking available to
> ordinary folks.  If you like wilderness and not having to deal with wars
> and insurrections in the wild, this is the place.  We are truly blessed!
>  Many foreigners know more about our National Scenic Trails than the
> average American.   Enough pontificating, but I do love what we have.
>
> Back to the big three.  For a recent talk I did at the Northern California
> Camino Pilgrim Gathering and Blessing, I put together a list of the Ultra
> Light Companies I could think of off the top of my head and I'll include it
> at the end.  All that I have ever had dealings with have been very good
> about taking anything back that you find doesn't fit right or doesn't live
> up to your expectations.  So when you get ready to buy stuff, realize, that
> it needs to feel right after you try it in the field, and if you've kept it
> in good shape, they'll probably be good about a return.   I'll plug in the
> list at the end.
>
> As for me, I started the PCT with an Osprey Exos, a 2 lb pack that was
> really comfortable.  The only problem was that it couldn't stand up to the
> harshness of the deserts and the need to carry water.  By mile 500 or so,
> it was falling apart.  I returned it to REI during a break in trail and
> they were great about the exchange, and I put on a heftier Osprey, the
> Atmos.  I liked it, but it was never as comfortable as the Exos had been.
> It took me over the High Sierra in a big snow year and all the way to
> Oregon.  Plain Slice, one of the folks I was walking with at the time, had
> just bought a new ULA Circuit pack at Ashland and as we're the same size, I
> asked to try it on.  It was love at first mile. I've still never found
> another pack that fits me so well.  Where I had had to lean forward to
> balance the Atmos, with the Circuit, I stood right up straight (that's
> because the Ospreys have a very comfortable mesh suspension that gives nice
> airflow across your back, but pushes the center of gravity a bit further
> back, causing me at least to lean forward to counterbalance it.  The ULAs
> are just a simple bag that lay up against your back, which is a bit
> sweatier, but so much better for my posture overall.  And over the
> thousands of miles, that's much more important)  We happened to have cel
> service and I called Chris at ULA and had one shipped to Crater Lake a
> couple of days later.
>
> That pack has gone over 10,000 miles now and is still usable.  It was
> starting to come apart on my hike of the AT 2 years ago and at Trail Days
> in Damascus VA, I found a new one Circuit, which I bought, only to find
> that the Osprey company had set up tents and brought their gear repair
> people.  They were working on any piece of gear that needed repairs, from
> any company.  What a great company!  They took that old Circuit and had it
> overnight, and when I got it back the next day, it was like new again.
> It's still a pack I use.  I kept the new Circuit for trips with my wife or
> daughter, where I don't want my smelly old pack to offend anyone.  They do
> get funky.
>
> Well, this is way too much, so I'll just add the companies I know of.
> There are probably many more, and Yogi's guide may list some of the others.
>
>
> Good luck with all the planning and training!
>
> Shroomer
>
>
>
> *Companies Specializing in Ultralight Gear for *
>
> *Long Distance Walking*
>
>
>
> Enlightened Equipment - Down quilts and sleeping bags:
> http://www.enlightenedequipment.com
>
>
> ZPacks - Cuben Fiber Shelters, Cuben Fiber Backpacks, Quilts, Cuben Fiber
> Rain Gear and much more:  http://www.zpacks.com
>
>
>
> Dirty Girl Gaiters - Lightweight gaiters for running and hiking:
> https://dirtygirlgaiters.com
>
>
> Gossamer Gear - Cuben Fiber Shelters, Backpacks, Sleeping Pads, Trekking
> Poles, Trekking Umbrellas and lots more gear:  http://gossamergear.com
>
>
> Ultra Light Adventure Equipment (ULA) - Backpacks:
> http://www.ula-equipment.com
>
>
>
> Purple Rain Adventure Skirts - Hiking Skirts and Kilts:
> http://www.purplerainskirts.com/about/
>
>
> Tarptent, Henry Shires - Shelters:  http://www.tarptent.com/index.html
>
>
> Six Moon Designs, Ron Moak - Backpacks, Shelters, Rain Gear and more:
> http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
>
>
> Mountain Laurel Designs - Cuben Fiber Backpacks, Cuben Fiber Shelters,
> Quilts, Bivys:  http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php
>
>
> LightHeart Gear - Shelters, Clothing:  http://lightheartgear.com
>
>
> Granite Gear - Backpacks:  http://www.granitegear.com
>
>
> Western Mountaineering - Sleeping Bags, Down Clothing:
> http://www.westernmountaineering.com
>
>
> Mont Bell - Clothing, Down Clothing, Sleeping Bags, Backpacks, Shelters and
> more:  http://www.montbell.us
>
>
> Feathered Friends - Sleeping Bags, Down Clothes:
> http://featheredfriends.com
>
>
>
> For any questions, my contact information is: Scott “Shroomer” Williams,
> email at:   Baidarker at gmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 12:27 PM, Brick Robbins <brick at brickrobbins.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I would suggest buying a pack last, after several shake down hikes,
> > and getting your other gear in order. You won't know how big a pack to
> > get till you figure out what you are going to be carrying.
> >
> > Also to remember to make some allowances for your bear can for the
> > short section where you need to carry it.
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