[pct-l] Gear/Resupply questions

[John Papini]

I second the advice to come up with a gear list and share it. I’ll also echo the sentiment that your backpacking setup is a system, so it’s best to critique the entire system as a whole rather than individual gear choices. Share one when you have it!

I thru hiked in 2016 and in addition to this mailing list I found backpackinglight.com to be a great resource, especially the forums, where folks post gear reviews and their own gear lists for others to critique. 

I’ll also echo the sentiment that the trail does provide. I spent close to six months preparing - I had multiple spreadsheets with gear weights and food calories and all sorts of excessive prep. For me, that was a fun process and it helped me get psyched about my trip, but it was certainly not necessary. Get some feedback on your gear choices, make sure you know how to use it, understand the basic trail conditions, download or print maps and the water report, then get out there and start walking! You’ll learn as you go, get what you need, and be surrounded by an incredibly knowledgeable and supportive community of hikers and PCT townsfolk!

Good luck!
Woodstock

Sent from my iPhone - please excuse any typographical errors!

> On Oct 15, 2017, at 11:59 PM, Jay Bruins <jbruins at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
>> On Oct 15, 2017, at 12:21 PM, David Zallis <dzallis at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hey Guys!
>> 
>>     I am starting to look at gear and set my resupply points. I would
>> love to get your thoughts on specific gear (brand and make) what worked for
>> you and whatnot -
> 
> This is quite open-ended. It’s better to start with your own research (google, this list’s archives, r/ultralight’s wiki, etc), summarize what you're thinking in a shareable form (such as lighterpack.com), and then ask targeted questions.
> 
> 
>> Pack,
> 
> If possible, choose this after you get your other gear dialed in. The lighter your contents, the lighter the pack.
> 
>> Shoes/boots,
> 
> Personal preference, but having hiked in a pair of Merrell Moabs for a section, I can tell you that I personally need the padding of a running shoe for high milage days. (My feet would be uncomfortable by 18 miles and screaming at 22.) Go to a good running store and help picking shoes + insoles. We can tell you how durable a particular pair might be, but we can’t tell you how they fit your feet.
> 
> Do plan on a larger size. My dress/street shoe size is ~10.5. My first pair was 11. All subsequent pairs were ~11.5.
> 
>> shelter, bag/quilt,
> 
> Yes, bring a shelter. You’ll find wide ranging opinions here. Zpacks gear is nice, but they’re not the only once.
> 
>> (snowshoes/ice axe - do I need them?)
> 
> Depends on the conditions. Unless you’re in the Sierra before May, you won’t need snowshoes. I did not use an axe, but I had one ready to be mailed to me. (For me, this made sense given I knew I’d use it in subsequent years.) Microspikes give nice confidence, but are often unnecessary unless you’re early. (How beneficial they are depends on the tread of your shoe.)
> 
> If an ice axe is appropriate, learn to use it before you need it. Freedom of the Hills describes many of the snow skills you should have before venturing out, but practice and theory are different.
> 
>> whatever other pertinent gear you think I need!
> 
> It rains/snows in “the desert”.
> 
>> Any thoughts on what is better in your opinion Lok sacks or a bear can?
> 
> Where required, bear cans. Otherwise, what you carry your food in is up to you. (I used Zpacks’ hang kit, but rarely hung my food.)
> 
>> 
>> Also, any advice on setting resupply points? Right now I am using Craig's
>> PCT planner to get a rough outline of my mileage/dates and using that info
>> to look at where I will be research the town and set my resupply points.
> 
> The defaults provided on the form works pretty well. I used non-standard points in the Sierra due to meeting people.
> 
> I bought food as I went in CA, so I had flexibility to tweak resupply points if I wanted to keep with people. I bought OR’s food in Ashland for mailing to myself. WA, I had someone purchase and mail food.
> 
>> 
>> Overall, I tend to overwork things and don't want to do that but I have 6
>> months. So I am trying to figure out what to focus on. Right now it is
>> gear, the pacing I expect and my budget. Any other thoughts will be super
>> helpful!
> 
> "The trail provides” is probably the second most popular refrain after “Hike your own hike”. Provided you can read the water report, the rest of the logistics have a tendency to work themselves out.
> 
> Do get your base fitness up and try out any gear purchases as soon as possible.
> 
> Armstrong
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> 
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/
> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.