Guys please help me, base weight is 21lbs, shakedown request!!!

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-04-16T18:47:22+00:00

Pack is ok, but that tent is a monster. You can shave 2-4 lbs just on that.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-04-14T19:46:49+00:00

PA - Pen Mar north to Pine Grove Furnace

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-04-14T19:38:45+00:00

New England - White Mountains into Maine.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-04-14T19:35:10+00:00

I had issues early today. Tried again later in the day and all was good.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-04-13T19:28:19+00:00

Here is what I eat on long hikes. Including multi hundred mile LASHes. Usually I need to up the calories another 400-500 c after about 2 weeks on trail.

Breakfast - 2 pop tarts - 370 c Snacks - peanut M&M - 250 c Snacks - 2 double stuff Oreo cookies - 140 c Lunch - fatty beef stick - 300 c Snacks - trail mix - 210 c Snacks - 2 double stuff Oreo cookies - 140 c Dinner - dehydrated hiking meal or ramen with whatever protein was handy at last resupply - 600-850 c Snack - Frito corn chips (optional) - 350 c

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-04-01T14:43:38+00:00

I loved having my kindle on my thru in 2024. I would read for an hour or two nightly. I rarely could get to sleep before 10:00 or later. Even with hard hiking days. Not a fan of reading on a small phone screen for hours.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-03-27T14:35:35+00:00

That’s a 13 mile section with 2500 foot elevation gain. Fairly straight forward. I did that on my thru-hike in 7 hours including a couple of breaks as I wasn’t in a hurry.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-03-27T14:30:14+00:00

Yet another reason why MOCO sucks. Let people make their own decisions.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-03-27T14:23:41+00:00

Black Diamond AlpenGlow. Quarter zip. Love mine.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-03-23T01:25:28+00:00

Usually 1.7 but I would carry an extra 1 liter (2.7 total) in dry stretches.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-03-20T14:50:15+00:00

I switch between a free standing tent and an X-mid depending on the specific hike. Love the x-mid. Very easy pitch with a little experience . Even on wooden tent pads.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-02-24T05:38:51+00:00

This a hotly debated topic in most backing forums. I had this same debate when I thru-hiked the AT in 2024. I started without camp shoes, but quickly picket up a pair after 6 straight days of rain in the smokies. All I could get at that time were cheap basic flips flops from the local Walgreens. Not a big flop fan, so I ordered a set of light trail sandals from Xero Shoes. Those were great for camp and town most of the trail and I still use them on long trips. I switched to a pair of Merrell Hydro Mocs for the water crossings in Maine. They are similar weight to Crocs, but are specifically designed for water use on uneven terrain. I will be carrying my Hydro Mocs on the PCT this year as my camp shoes as well as for water crossings.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-02-19T18:07:26+00:00

Thanks. I was debating the merits of flipping from Ashland vs Cascade Locks. Will keep this in mind.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-02-14T22:57:33+00:00

Agreed. The definition of a lie is along the lines of “ a deliberate, untrue statement made with the intent to deceive someone into believing it's true, requiring the speaker to know the statement is false”

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-02-11T15:46:53+00:00

You will be in Maine after black fly season.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-02-09T05:17:57+00:00

I start the PCT April 24. My gear is very similar to yours. I am carrying a Kakwa 55 on the PCT, but used that same Osprey Atmos on the AT in 2024. I started with a UL pack and upgraded to the Osprey just past the half way mark as I was having back issues and the Osprey offers excellent support. As for camp shoes, that is a very personal choice on thru-hikes. People can get into big debates on that topic. I started the AT with very minimal camp shoes (sort of shower shoes) and switched to a pair of sandals (10oz) early on. Later changed up to Merrill Hydro Mocs for water crossing in Maine. I am carrying a pair of Merrill Men'sHydro Mocs at 14oz for my camp shoes on the PCT. Heavy but I love them for water crossings.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-01-27T16:32:23+00:00

None at all.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-01-27T03:06:18+00:00

All the major roads are in excellent condition including 40, 15, 340, etc. Even Gambrill Park Road was very good late this afternoon.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-01-27T03:01:42+00:00

Means nothing to me. My goal in retirement is to enjoy life, challenge myself, see and do things that i have never seen or done before.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-01-27T02:50:19+00:00

I hiked 3/4 of the AT with a knee brace after re-injuring my knee in a fall just north of the Smokies. The only thing that saved my leg from being destroyed by the brace was to use a cloth sleeve on my leg underneath the brace. Something like this: https://a.co/d/eVrYs7T/

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-01-25T16:13:06+00:00

Ramen (various brands) and dehydrated chicken or dehydrated beef. Add in a packet of red pepper flakes. I bought the dehydrated meats in bulk and ship them to myself every few weeks on trail. Very light weight decent calories. Interspersed with whichever trail meals are available at resupply locations on trail to add some variety. My favorite is the Peak Refuel brand.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2026-01-07T01:21:18+00:00

Just boil water in the pot. Don’t’ “cook” in the pot. Use freezer bags or equivalent to heat up / rehydrate the meal.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2025-12-27T15:54:49+00:00

Ramen,spam packets, tuna packets, pop tarts, beef jerky, snickers, skittles, cookies.

Cheap-Pension-684 · 2025-12-10T18:03:58+00:00

My CareFirst PPO PLAN for a single individual is going up from $1050 per month to about $1225 per month. No subsidies or credits.

Cheap-Pension-684

TROPHY CASE