[pct-l] First timer

Thu Apr 21 19:07:35 CDT 2016

Absolutely re the Gossamer Gear Mariposa.  I know lots of folks who love
it, as with the Z Packs Cuben fiber packs, much lighter than either the
Circuit or the Mariposa or the MLD packs.  There are so many great options
out there at this point.  It is one of the great things about attending
either Trail Days in Damascus on the AT, or the Kick Off for the PCT at
Lake Morena, which is not happening this year because of a screw up on the
part of Lake Morena park not confirming a date for us until it was too late
to put on such a huge endeavor.  But in a normal year, these different
companies are invited to both events and that is where you can try on and
walk around with the packs and pitch the different tarps and tents to see
which you really like.

If you're on the East Coast, Trail Days is May 12th to 15th this year and
it's the best place to see all the gear companies and often get to know the
owners ,  http://traildays.us/index.php?id=2

Shroomer

On Thu, Apr 21, 2016 at 3:30 PM, Dennis Phelan <dennis.phelan at gmail.com>
wrote:

> 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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