Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#185227 - 05/20/14 10:57 PM Critique my gear list
Marto Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/20/14
Posts: 4
Headed out on the PCT in a month or so. Wanted to know a 3rd party opinion on my gear set up.
Fire away.

http://lighterpack.com/r/9tvwt8


Edited by Marto (05/20/14 10:58 PM)

Top
#185228 - 05/20/14 11:10 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: Marto]
rockchucker22 Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/12
Posts: 751
Loc: Eastern Sierras
Are you just section hiking or hiking the whole PCT? If so your starting pretty late.
You may need a beanie or some kind of head insulation.


Edited by rockchucker22 (05/20/14 11:12 PM)
_________________________
The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.

Top
#185229 - 05/20/14 11:57 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: Marto]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
bear bags are not allowed in many parts of the sierra's. Depending on where you will be you will probably need a bear can for part of the trip.

Top
#185232 - 05/21/14 02:04 AM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: rockchucker22]
Marto Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/20/14
Posts: 4
Thru hiking. Going to be shoot for 25-30 miles per day. I'm going to be packing a balaclava for sleeping/camp chores.

Top
#185235 - 05/21/14 08:19 AM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: Marto]
rockchucker22 Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/12
Posts: 751
Loc: Eastern Sierras
I would say your starting way to late this year, most are already deep in the Sierra, have you looked at any of the PCT trail blogs from this year? You have a pretty long section in southern Ca that is already cooking and pretty dry, most hikers are well past those parts already.
_________________________
The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.

Top
#185239 - 05/21/14 12:05 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: rockchucker22]
Marto Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/20/14
Posts: 4
From what I'm seeing online there are actually very few groups who have made it to the Sierras. Yes, the pack is getting close, but they are nowhere 'deep' as in 1000 miles up the trail. Average seems to be around 300-500 miles in.
By doing longer days I figure that I should be able to hit the larger streams and lakes that never go dry, or only do very late in the season. I'm fully prepared to carry 2 1/2 gallons when I need to through most of the southern section.

Top
#185240 - 05/21/14 12:38 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: Marto]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
By late next month, the southern California section will be both very hot and, in this year of horrendous drought, very dry. The water caches will no longer be maintained and most natural sources will have dried up. Are you already in condition to do 30 mile days with all the water you'll have to carry?

There is often plenty of snow in the high Cascades of northern Washington by early October. Some years sooner, some years later, but that's a good average. Many years, people who try to stretch the season into October have been stopped in the middle of Washington.

With a late June start, had you considered going southbound instead (that's about as early as you can start in the North Cascades)?

Your list mostly looks pretty good to me. I'd definitely add a lightweight base layer top and bottoms. Frost and snow can happen any time of year at high altitude, even in midsummer, and certainly by September. While in motion on cool days your shirtsleeves may be too cool but the Nanopuff will be far too warm--an added lightweight baselayer top is (for me) often just right. I'd also be concerned if your quilt and pad (and your balaclava) won't take you down to 20 degrees F.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#185261 - 05/21/14 07:21 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: OregonMouse]
Marto Offline
newbie

Registered: 05/20/14
Posts: 4
Yeah the long days between water is what has been worrying me the most about SoCal. I guess a better question is, will there be reliable water sources frequently enough no matter what the drought ends up being like? I feel like as long as I have a lake or stream that is guaranteed to have water I can plan accordingly for the amount of water that I carry between those sources. Thoughts?

Top
#185265 - 05/21/14 08:27 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: Marto]
rockchucker22 Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/12
Posts: 751
Loc: Eastern Sierras
I was just in the southern sierra and ran into a lot of PCT hikers, there is a bunch in Kennedy Meadows, and plenty well past. I'll be hiking a section near cottonwood next week and can give you some more info then.

The water in So Ca will not be reliable this year, the drought is in full effect, and isn't likely to change.
_________________________
The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.

Top
#185268 - 05/21/14 10:38 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: rockchucker22]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
If (big if!) the promised El Nino hits, Southern California might get some rain by November, another argument in favor of a southbound hike. Or you can start in the Sierra (which would give you time to get to Canada before the snow flies) and flipflop back to do Southern California last--even if it isn't wetter, it will be a lot cooler.
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

Top
#185275 - 05/21/14 11:07 PM Re: Critique my gear list [Re: OregonMouse]
rockchucker22 Offline
member

Registered: 09/24/12
Posts: 751
Loc: Eastern Sierras
Yes, I've never considered a SB hike, you make a compelling argument for it.
_________________________
The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 209 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum