Over the years I have reduced my pack weight. This year I read "The Pacific Crest Trail Hiker's Handbook" by Ray Jardin . He advocates a light weight back packing style. After applying some of Mr. Jardine's ideas, my pack weight took another signification jump down. I recommend Mr. Jardine's book for anyone who plans to carry a backpack for more than a few miles. But before you do, read this review.
I have gotten a lot of useful advice from people on the PCTA mailing list. There are lively debates by the pro light-pack folks and those by the pro heavy-pack. I tend to listen more to the people who have through-hiked the PCT and most of these people favor light packs. Some people on the list are like me, gathering information for their planned 1999 through-hike. Others hike the trail in pieces. Most people buy most of their gear, but a fair number sew or otherwise build at least something that they will use hiking.
I used to carry a pack whose dry weight was about 28 lbs, and I thought that was light. Then I read Ray Jardine's hand book. I bought a small electronic scale that measures down to the gram and up to 4 Kg. I take it with me when I shop. I took it into a shoe store and bought some light running shoes (but not racing flats, the pair I got have a lot of cushion). The scale cost about $140, but it has been well worth it. I highly recommend looking at The Lightweight Backpacker.
I have been surprised by how much all the container weight. E.g., stuff stacks and little bottles to hold olive oil and the like. That's another place the scale has really helped.
All weights are in grams unless otherwise noted. The links in the equipment list point to web pages for the suppliers or manufacturers of the listed products.
I have edited the lists of equipment, but have not yet redone the sums.
Total Pack and Sleeping items: 3132 (6.9 lbs)
I selected the Mountain Light 4000 (1998 model) because it is the lightest back pack of at least 3500 cubic inches, which is the size I think that I need. I trimmed 3.5 ounces of unnecessary things off of it, such as a small pouch inside of the larger pouch. I would like an even lighter pack. My attitude about packs is "if the pack is tough enough to stand abuse, it is too heavy". I think about sewing my own pack, to get a pack that weighs less than a pound.
I tried to use a lighter sleeping pad, a Ridge Rest, but it was uncomfortable. So at the cost of another pound, I added my trusty 3/4 length Thermarest. As I'll be spending about a third of my time on this thing, it better be comfortable. An extra pound is a lot, but for me, in this case it is worth it.
I've used the tarp just once so far in the rain and it worked well. But the rain was not being driven by the wind, so I think this with a ground sheet is not enough. I have ordered another tarp that is twice the area (10' x 8') and plan to experiment with making a floor-less tent out of it. Or perhaps I'll make my own light weight bivy sack to use with one of the tarps. Or I might take my Stephenson's 2X, a lightweight, two person, three season tent. I have looked at Henry Shires Tarp/Tent design and it looks good. However, I think the Wanderlust Nomad Lite (there is a web page for it, but I can't find it anymore) is even better, and I've put my order in with Kurt Russell for one. I hope that it shows up before I leave.
The titanium stakes seems like a small but worthwhile improvement on aluminum stakes in function, weight, and durability.
The ground sheet is thin and I expect will only last a few weeks. I plan to have additional pieces in resupply boxes. The Nomad Lite comes with a Tyvek sheet (about 8 oz.), which is much more durable than the plastic sheet that I had been planning to take.
Total of Personal Hygine items: 218 (.5 lbs)
Some people on the pct mailing list thought the plastic trowel, for digging cat holes, was necessary, others thought it unnecessary. I have decided to leave it out.
Total Clothing: about 2101 (4.? lbs)
Total Water, Cooking, and Cleaning items: 1038 (2.3 lbs)
I believe that my stove plus fuel container plus fuel is the lightest available. It also happens to be the easiest to use, simmers well, and has the highest heat output of any back packing stove. I've used it to make a number of meals at home and find that I use about 10 grams of fuel per three cup meal (of beans and rice, cream of wheat, oatmeal, corn pasta). Some people on the pct mailing list have warned that propane/butane stoves don't work at low temperature (like below freezing). I do not put much credence in these warnings: I am quite familar with cold weather camping and have seen butane not come out of a bluet stove in the winter. But I also don't see the problem: just warm up the fuel before using it. I might have to do this a few times in a five month trip. The stove's other benefits greatly outweigh this tiny inconvenience.
Here is some of the debate on stoves from the pct mailing list.
Here is the energy content of some camp stove fuels (from Coleman):
Total Emergency and Medical items: 169 (.4 lbs)
note: bag w/ emergency stuff: 195g (7 oz) whistle, space blanket, matches, tea lights, cipro, codine, ibu, band aids
Total Miscellaneous items: 769.5+? (1.? lbs)
Total Clothing Worn: 1137 (2.5 lbs)
Total dry weight of pack plus clothes worn:
I will have a Grivel Nepal Light 53cm ice axe in my resupply
parcel in Kennedy Meadows. The Nepal Light 53cm weighs 260 grams according to Grivel. I measured
the one I got from Climb High at 297 grams, 14 percent more than
advertised. I have advised Climb High of the discrepancy and they are forwarding this to Grivel.
Suppliers:
Back to Rob's PCT page.
Last updated April 7, 1999