Right now, my base weight is 13.6 lbs. That's not as low as I'd like, but I’m trying to think of this more as a work in progress, pre-PCT gear list. I anticipate that I will be learning a lot as I go, and finding ways to cut my pack weight further. **If anyone has any suggestions, please comment or email me.**
A few notes about me and my hiking style to provide some context. This is my first long-distance hike. Much of this gear is what I’ve used backpacking in the southeast on weekend trips. I tried making a few changes for the conditions that I expect along the PCT. I’ve already covered the hammock-specific gear in a previous post (here).
You may notice that my sleeping clothing tend towards the heavy side (i.e. down booties and fleece hoodie). I tend to be cold, both at night and while hiking. I’ve been testing various systems all winter, spending several nights VERY cold and uncomfortable, trying to see how little insulation I could get away with. There is a tradeoff between weight of sleeping clothes and weight of quilts- when I use lighter sleeping clothes, I needed warmer quilts to stay tolerably warm. I decided to go with lighter quilts and heavier sleeping clothes so that I can then also use the clothes when I am cold while hiking. For example, I wrap my head with my down jacket when I sleep because my quilt doesn’t have a hood, but I often wear my down jacket (and fleece hoodie, and rain pants) while I hike.
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| That's me on the left with my rainpants and fleece hoodie, while everyone else is in tshirts. |
Stove I’ve enjoyed the simplicity and speed of stoveless meals for several years. With the drought and fire restrictions in So. Cal. I believe that it is important to do everything possible to prevent forest fires- I’ll definitely NOT bring an alcohol stove or have campfires. I know there is an argument for carrying a stove for safety reasons, so I will consider bringing one into the Sierra and Washington at a later time.
Solar charger I’m going with a battery pack to charge my iPhone between town stops. I will keep my phone off as much as possible and use my paper Halfmile maps.
Camp shoes I don’t use these now. I just air out my feet during breaks and wear my trail runners through water crossings.
Things I’m still undecided about:
Camera
I’ve been trying for months to use the camera on my iPhone, but I’m still disappointed with the quality of the photos compared to my Canon S120 (7.5 oz). The weight cost of my camera is 7.5 oz, even if I bounce the battery charger ahead (2.3 oz) or omit the extra battery (0.9 oz). I was talking to JJ about it last week- and she really urged me to think about my priorities for my PCT trip, and how it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I do value having nicer photos to remember my trips and to post here on the blog, and I have always regretted all the trips I’ve previously done without my camera- without exception. But 7.5 oz is a lot.
Hat
I’ve got a 2.5 oz Sunday Afternoons hat that is huge and provides lots of coverage. But I wonder if this is needed with the umbrella. I’m going to be on the lookout for something lighter in the next month. Any suggestions?
Hiking clothes- pants vs. skirt.
I’ve got two hiking clothes options: what I normally wear and love here in the southeast, and what I think could be better adapted to the sun of So. Cal. I love the versatility and breeziness of my DIY skirts and tall gaiters. And I actually sewed up a new skirt for the PCT (out of the lovely galaxy print fabric from one of my old trapeze costumes), and made it longer to protect my knees. Plus it’s even an ounce lighter than my old DIY camo hiking skirt! But, I am also considering wearing Railrider pants- they would provide better sun and bug protection, but have pleats and are an ounce heavier than my skirt plus DIY tall gaiters. The other consideration besides weight, comfort, and hideous pleats is that skirts make for super-fast peeing- and I really don’t want to go back to having to take off my pack and squatting- ugh!
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| Pants/ short gaiters vs. skirt/ tall gaiters. |
I’m also trying to decide between my old long-sleeved, collared shirt and my short-sleeved icebreaker shirt plus DIY sleeves combo. The long-sleeved shirt (7 oz) provides better sun and bug protection, is possibly cooler because of the side vents and material, but it weighs a bit more. On the other hand, I wear my icebreaker wool short sleeved shirts (4.2 oz) all the time in the southeast, and I like how they feel. My DIY sleeves (1.5 oz) are versatile- I love that I can take them on and off without taking off my pack, and I sewed up new DIY sleeves for the PCT out of a favorite old, lilac capilene shirt that come down over my hands with little slits for my thumbs- this will provide extra sun protection for my "freakishly" long arms.
I’m leaving for a trip to the southwest, and I will be bringing all these clothing options and thinking more about my camera, so hopefully that will help me decide. And if not, I’ll leave it with my parents so they can get whatever I decide I need to me on the trail.
LOVE the new hiking skirt! Is all the fabric recycled or is some of it new? I'd love to hear where you get your fabric if some of it is new, I'm really struggling with finding good fabric for making gear. I hope the skirt makes an appearance on the trail (and I hope we get to see a few blog posts while you are hiking, if you can manage it)!
ReplyDeleteHey Megan, Thanks I’m really proud of this new skirt. I’ll try to post some photos when I wear it on the trail. I got the solid light blue ripstop supplex nylon fabric from Rockywoods- that part was new. Nice lightweight fabric, but unfortunately not stretchy. I’ve gotten quite a bit of fabric from Rockywoods and been happy with it- they can send small fabric samples too. The galaxy print on the sides is salvaged from leggings from our trapeze costumes a few shows ago. Still stained from all the “sticky spray” used behind my knees to give extra grip- oh the memories!
ReplyDeleteHonestly...I think your issues are going to be with heat not cold, at least for the first 700 MI. I am super cold too and have reynauds, but I've hiked the JMT and half of WA and in no way shape or form did I need down booties or more than light gloves. you will not need those in the desert at any rate. consider bouncing to km. That being said, people get pretty bent around the axle about base weight. Sometimes at the expense of hygiene or safety. On both my three week sections my BPW was in the teens and I had no trouble keeping a good pace.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I'm so glad to hear you didn't need the down booties and extra gloves- that's a great suggestions to pick them up at KM- I'll do that.
ReplyDeleteI like your DIY projects, especially the arm warmers. Many gals are happy wearing skirts on the PCT. I'd like follow your blog, but it looks like you only have it set for RSS feed. Might want to consider adding the email follow option. BTW, I'm a fellow GG ambassador :)
ReplyDeleteGot the email follow figured out!
DeleteHi Jan! Thanks for the comments! I've run across your blog a few times- found it really helpful- and somehow I missed that you were a fellow GG ambassador. Yes, the arm warmers are one of my most-worn clothing items. One of these days I want to write up a more complete description of how to sew them. And thanks for pointing out about adding an email follow option- guess you figured it out somehow, but I overlook some of this blog construction stuff. Great to meet you and talk to you later!
DeleteWe used a battery charger for our phone on the AT and FT and liked it a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'll echo some of the sentiments about not leaving the camera behind. I think you'll regret not having good photos to look back at one day, esp since you are attempting to keep your phone off most of the time. Take the camera!!!
I really love your DIY sleeves...might have to consider some of those just for regular day wear.
Glad you agree about the camera- OK I'm not gonna think about this any more- it's going with me. Quality photos are gonna be worth it. :)
DeleteThanks for this post! I appreciate the thoughtfulness you put into the gear list. It’s very helpful. PS: Glad you are bringing the camera.
ReplyDeleteHello there Susan, Glad it's helpful. Will be making a few minor changes after finishing the SW tour, but feeling mostly ready. Are you getting a new camera too?!?!
DeleteI was logging on to add a comment to say YES DEFINITELY take the camera, but I see you've already come to that wise decision! There's a reason it's heavier than the iPhone, and what you get in exchange for that weight is vastly better photos. You definitely will NOT regret that decision, but I fear you would have many times over if you'd tried to make your iPhone your only camera!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear more as weeks get closer for your start!
Thanks so much, Brenda! I'm feeling good about the decision too. I was thinking I might not care too much about photo quality since I'm not a big into photography, but I guess I care more than I thought. :)
DeleteI'll be curious to see how you like the skirt and short-sleeved shirt + sleeves combo, as that is exactly how I would dress if I were going. The extra tall gaiters, what kind of fabric are they made from? Are they just for sun coverage, or do they provide bug protection or abrasion protection?
ReplyDeleteAt least on our trip to the southwest, I liked the shirt+sleeves for cold/ moderate weather, but when it got hot, I preferred the *loose-fitting* long-sleeved shirt. I made these tall gaiters from ripstop supplex nylon fabric that I purchased from Rockywoods. I've made other tall gaiters from old hiking pants. They serve all these functions- protection from sun, bugs, abrasion, wind, and dirt. I think I'll start the PCT with the long-sleeved shirt, but plan to switch out past So. Cal.
DeleteLikewise, since the skirt/gaiters combo feels cooler, I will also start with that. I loved the railrider pants, but they are less versitile than a skirt- I like the ease of layering my long-underwear under a skirt and I really like how easy it is to go pee with the skirt- I don't have to squat or takeoff my pack so it's super-quick. I'll keep the other clothes options waiting in the wings (i.e. with my support people, along with my pre-paid boxes) as priorities change.
And of course will keep you posted how things go on the PCT! I'm sure this is all going to change and change and then change again. :)
Your gear list looks awesome! I'm super jealous of your sewing skills and all of your cool hammock stuff.
ReplyDeleteRe: Blister/foot care stuff. Have you heard of Leukotape? It's pretty awesome, and once you put it on it can stick for up to a week (make sure you do it at night so the adhesive binds to your foot better by morning). I use that combined with hydrocolloid bandages (which can also stay on for about a week) if I actually get a blister (pop the blister, put the hydrocolloid bandage on, and slap some leukotape over the whole deal). The whole setup is kind of awesome because it can be used for regular cuts/wounds too as long as they aren't oozing or bleeding profusely. Hopefully you won't have to deal with any of that, though!
Also the zero degree underquilt for the Sierras might be a little too warm come June, but if you're a cold sleeper then it's probably about right.
I live in Southern California, so let me know if you run into any sticky situations or need any help while you're out on the trail. I am excited to follow your journey.
Thanks so much, especially for the recommendation about the leukotape. I will be on the lookout for that and will pick some up. I've been spending lots of time with preventative footcare- putting on moisturizer and anti-friction cream, and checking my feet at every break, airing them out often. So far, so good, but I'm sure at some point, I'll need to tape them more.
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