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Gear Review Being happy
with your choice is vital so read, experiment, then make your choice.
Then be happy with it! We brought a
lot of gear to the US and left much of it with a friend to mail to us as and
when we needed it. I tried to give us options for different weather
conditions, especially WA where our bounce box had a spare tent, boots and
full set of waterproofs. I've listed only the items we used. When we
finished with them we either mailed them back or put them in the drift box
and "bounced" them ahead in the mail. Flexibility is a good
thing. And
remember, it's not the gear which makes the difference... it's you! EQUIPMENT LIST Shelter: 2 person Tarptent.com. Repelled heavy rain and mosquito
swarms, yet weighs just 22oz. can't wait to see if it's suitable for 2/3
season UK use. Our award for "best new kit". 5** Pack: Golite Gust. Most popular PCT pack. Modified with mesh
side pockets (courtesy of Glen and Francie Van Peski) and hip padding. Both
should be standard on new Golite Trek pack. With modifications 5* Wide brim hats: Simon- Columbia. Floppy when wet. Stylishly challenged. 3* Liz- Weekenders. Wide stiff bring, no good in wind. 4* Warm hats: Liz- Berghaus fleece cap Simon - Golite fleece cap Glasses: Liz- Prescription glasses: Clip fix. Have magnetic sunglasses
attachment. (Disposable contact lenses as back-up.) 5* Simon- Several pairs of cheap sunglasses as I kept breaking or
scratching them. Shirt: Both used Patagonia
Tropical. Ultralight, good ventilation, weave & collar give sun
protection. Simon- Worn every day. Two chest pockets held map/guidebook
sections & camera. Shoulders went into holes under pack straps after
1800ml. 4* Switched to Ex-officio travel shirt which was on sale at REI and
bought mail order. Delivered to Timberline Lodge, OR. Heavier weight material
good for OR and WA, but Patagonia better for SoCal 4* Liz- Wore her tropical shirt less frequently and often hiked
in her GoLite c-thru top. Spare/Town shirt/base layer: Liz- GoLite c-thru sleeveless top. When her arms didnŐt need
covering to protect them from the sun, Liz loved hiking in this top. The
weave and back panel give excellent ventilation, and the shirt is ultralight.
5* Simon- GoLite c-thru long sleeve top. Not used to full advantage
as hiked in shirt. Little warmth as base layer. Would have preferred
sleeveless like Liz's 3* Warm base layer: Liz- Patagonia R1 5* Simon- Berghaus ACL in Oregon & Washington. 4* Warm shirts: Not used when using Coals Liz - Patagonia capiline. No pocket. R1 seemed warmer 3* Simon- Berghaus Yukon shirt 4* Warm Jackets: In SoCal, Sierra and Washington both used GoLite Coal insulated
jackets. Excellent warmth for weight and very popular on PCT. A vest version
would be good. 5* Lanyard: 2 photon II
flashlights with velcro to attach to hats; mini swiss army knife; small
compass. 5* Shorts: Both started in
different GoLite shorts but neither liked the cut, so switched. Liz - Berghaus running shorts. Not as fast drying as Patagonia,
no pocket, but cheap. 3* Simon- Patagonia shorts. Supremely fast drying and hard wearing.
Expensive ($42) Need larger and more pockets. 4* Legwear: Liz - Gramici pants, worn from start to mid-Washington. Simon- In SoCal Patagonia long pants. Light but elasticated
waist band could be thinner 4* Until Washington wore shorts and GoLite Reed waterproofs as only
legwear. Ultralight, excellent mosquito protection, but abrasions meant I had
to duct tape the backside! 5* Warm Legwear: In Sierra both wore silk long johns for sleeping, and could have
hiked in them if necessary. In Washington Liz-Columbia long johns 4* Simon- Patagonia mid-weight Capiline long johns (too baggy) 4* Socks: Both used Smartwool
Light-hiker throughout. Liz also used smartwool liners. Most PCT hikers start
in, or switch to these. Lost count of how many pairs we wore out! 5* Shoes: Simon- Merrell Exotech outside Sierra. Approx 700ml per pair 5* Used Kayland Plume boots in Sierra but liner tore and got wet
feet 4* Liz- also used a mix of Merrell Exotech, Kayland Plume boots.
Sadly, Merrell UK tell me they may have to discontinue this model due to
legal action. Rain Jacket: Both used Golite Flow (Epic fabric). Excellent wind jackets. Added
GoLite umbrellas in Southern Washington and they kept us dry too. 5* The star
rating assumes you accept their limitations in exchange for the weight
saving. However, we both switched to Berghaus Goretex from Bounce box
for last 90mls as snow and high winds were forecast. Simon- Paclite 5*
Liz-Trango 3* (too heavy for PCT but great in Scotland!) Rain Pants: Both use Golite Reed throughout. The most
popular waterproof pants on the trail 5* Poles: Black Diamond Flick
Lock. Tips broke off SIX poles. I like the adjustment system, but these poles
did not prove to be robust 2* Used 1pr Leki titanium
for last 1000ml 4* Sleeping bags: 2x Rab Micron 600. Pertex Endurance shell sheds frost /
condensation & protects down. Over specified for much of the trip, but
warm when needed. When hot, we used just one bag as duvet and mailed the
other ahead in bounce box. 4* Liner bag: Jagbag silk double. Too large, had to cut & resew. Much
easier to launder than down bags. However, easily ripped 3* Stove: Homemade from soda can
or buy on-line. Burns alcohol 5* Pan: MSR 2L Titanium. Lid
warped and hideously expensive, but good size for two people. 3* Drinking: Platypus with drinking
tube. SEVEN models sprang leaks in identical spots. Awful. 1* One Nalgene canteen eventually leaked 4* Ultimate Direction hydration system - valve too complicated but
robust bladder 4* Water purification: Aqua Mira throughout
5* In SoCal used 1ltr Safewater Anywhere Expedition bottle filter
for very bad water. Difficult to change filter. 4* Ice axe: 1 Cassin Ghost. The
ultralight axe most PCT hikers use. 5* Watch: Cassio with altimeter. Most useful function is a loud alarm! Communication:
Sharp
mini-disc & microphone. I've recorded our hike and conversations with
others along the way in the hope of making a radio programme. Also Liz likes
listening to music on tough climbs, so we put a disc with different music on
it in each resupply box. Pocketmail Composer. If you want to escape to the wilderness,
don't take one! You'll find your evenings disappear writing stuff like this.
But if you enjoy communicating, this is the best thing since sliced clif
bars. Backup (not used) MSR whisperlite stove MSR miniworks water filter Hilleberg Nallo 2 tent Mountain Range gaiters Links If you're interested in lightweight equipment you might find
these sites helpful. Golite - the company which makes our Gust packs. While on the trail I wrote articles for their monthly newsletter
called Coup's Scoop. Current and back editions are on this site: http://golite.com/intheworld/coups_scoop/coupscoop.html Our friend Glen Van Peski who sewed the pockets onto our packs
also makes THE lightest backpacking sack with a hipbelt, as used by Flyin'
Brian Robinson (first to hike the PCT, CDT and AT triple crown in one year).
I have one but for me it wasn't comfortable with the weight we'd carry.
However, the G5 is a superb ultralight weekend pack. |
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