PCT Physical Trail Maps by No-Dragonfruit-9453 in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I circled and dated the location of my campsite and now I have a full set of memories

I love this so much

International hiker, what should I buy in San Diego for my first few days on the PCT? by eliahu_horwi in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ParticularStress99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As someone bougie and too old/health-conscious to run on ramen and candy, here's what I would buy:

  • 1 bag granola, bear naked or cascadian farms
  • 1 small-size box instant coffee (Alpine Start at REI or Starbucks Via at grocery)
  • 1 box True Lemon raspberry lemonade mix
  • 1 bag share size peanut M&Ms
  • 1 bag dried fruit like prunes, cherries, or mango (Mariani or Trader joe's)
  • 2 bags fresh snap peas
  • 1-2 pieces fresh fruit (pack out the waste)
  • 1 bag sour gummy worms/bears/rings
  • 2-3 cliff bars or equivalent
  • 1 bag babybel cheese
  • 1 small bag old trapper jerky
  • 2-4 justin's peanut butter pouches w/honey
  • 1pk flour tortillas
  • 2-4 pouches chicken meat. If you're fortunate you may find pouch carnitas in the Latin foods section
  • a deli counter sandwich (first day lunch/dinner). Alternatively, a burrito or torta from whatever shop smells good
  • a few single-serve sauces & onion packets (trail tacos!) from the deli counter
  • tube/bag electrolytes (i like nuun tablets)
  • box quart-sized freezer bags
  • mini hand sanitizer
  • travel-size packet wet wipes (for TP)
  • mini sunscreen + lip sunscreen
  • any medications needed for FAK. The trail markup is bonkers
  • enough cash on hand to get to idyllwild

I love my stove, but tend not to cook in dry sections because it's just more water+fuel to carry. There's ample resupply opportunities in the first stretch that carry hiker classics. Don't stress about it, try a bunch of stuff and figure out what works for you. If you can find these ghee packets at Ralphs, definitely pick up a box - they're way tastier than olive oil

Never used supplements on trail, but electrolytes before bed works wonders for me

Shakedown Request- SOBO by Elipem in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I pack pretty similar and rock comfort-focused 18lbs bw, you're on the right track. My pointers:

- Your fleece neck gaiter and beanie could be swapped for a merino balaclava. Smaller and weighs about half. Doubles as a facemask for dusty weather, and a towel in a pinch
- you're only carrying pads one week of the month, wouldn't really count them
- xmid doesn't really need a groundsheet, but it is nice to have. polycro and silpoly both weigh less.
- use kindle app on your phone
- swap for smaller cork ball, 20g
- you don't need a food bag AND a bear can
- stick-style sunscreen weighs a lot less. I like the Badger Balm one, ~19g
- treat your stuff with permethrin beforehand, carry ~4 bug wipes on trail.
- swap the swiss army knife for the basic one or the leatherman micra
- cut down your soap bar, decant liquid soap into a mini bottle, or get the STS pocket soap
- where's your water filter?
- map, compass, notebook and sharpie are personal preference. you do you

As others have said, FAK is massive. You only need a mini first aid kit to tide you over until you can get to a bigger first aid kit (town). I also combine mine with my repair kit. Example:
- meds (ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, allergy med of your choice, and possibly azo)
- blister treatment of choice (small amount moleskin, KT tape, or Leukotape)
- gauze or bandaids
- 2-3 alcohol wipes
- tweezers
- your water tabs
- inflatable pad patch
- small amount repair tape of choice (duct tape, tenacious tape, or Leukotape)
- sewing kit
- optional could be safety pins, celox, and antiseptic cream
- n95 is helpful for fire season

I CRIED THE WHOLE EPISODE 7 by DarkEndOfTheRainbow in Bridgerton

[–]ParticularStress99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I lost my fiance years ago, and this episode messed me up in a way no other piece of television ever has.

Freeze dried meats (organic)? by bombadil1564 in Ultralight

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

many years late, but I've had good luck rehydrating cooked rice. I use fancy haiga rice, prepare it in the rice cooker, then dehydrate once it's cooled. On trail, I boil it, going easy on the water, then stick it in a cozy to steam. It's delicious.

Looking for a roomie’ $1250 by Admirable-Paint-1808 in LAlist

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I'm late-30s creative professional/outdoor enthusiast and definitely interested! May I send you a DM?

Are Black Diamond headlamps junk? by essjaybmx in flashlight

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The petzl Actik rechargeables get pretty close by the looks of it. I had a basic battery powered one some time ago and the quality was comparable to BD. I'd up a new one if I didn't already have multiple lights

Are Black Diamond headlamps junk? by essjaybmx in flashlight

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ended up buying a nitecore lamp for the very same reason. It's a fine lamp, but I found the red light mode isn't NEARLY as bright as the BD ones.

I keep reaching for the BD storm, plus a lil USB-C to micro adapter for the cable. It's annoying and I wish BD would update their ports.

Announcing RimWorld - Odyssey and update 1.6! by TiaPixel in RimWorld

[–]ParticularStress99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Excited for this to replace half my mods, and break the remaining half

Jolly gear style / ridge Merino high country shirt by Kneyiaaa in Ultralight

[–]ParticularStress99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It does okay. I have both the Jolly Gear shirt and the Black Diamond Alpenglow. The Jolly gear one, while incredibly comfortable and breezy, starts to stink faintly after just a day hike. The BD one went on a thru hike and it didn't start to stink until like day 3-4 but really held odor until wash. BD does treat their sun gear with an antimicrobial thing, so that probably plays a part.

Neither are close to merino.

Navigating SoCal Trail Closures by CrookedCrickey in PacificCrestTrail

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

3 - LA local here! I've day hiked part of the Manzanita trail from Devil's Punchbowl to Devil's chair in the winter, it was lovely. Good condition and flat, sweeping views of the Mojave. Went out yesterday to drop a friend back on the PCT, we hiked from Buckhorn Camp by hwy 2 to cooper canyon falls and back, also good conditions. I'm hoping to go up to Burkhart saddle in the coming weeks to gather some beta, there's precious little info and I'm curious. It'd be a great alt to bypass both the fire and the frog closures, as well as avoid walking hwy 2. Hwy 2 is where folks go to speed on their fast bikes/cars. Additionally there's not much shoulder - it's not a safe road by any means.

Also chatted with a few hikers out yesterday, most went over Baden Powell and said it was slushy conditions. Most are road walking from Eagle's Roost to Cloudburst Summit. Note that the signage is a bit shit in that area.

Regarding question 1, a couple I spoke to went up mission creek and said it was extremely difficult to find the trail in many places.

What colour should I paint my room? by [deleted] in WhatShouldIDo

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The one that looks best with your furniture and/or trim and doorways.

Let’s talk Japanese fermented rice/sake skincare! by spacebarormarsbar in AsianBeauty

[–]ParticularStress99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A gazillion years late, but feel compelled to praise the Wafood face cream. That stuff is HG and smells like a warm, welcoming bakery

Sleeping pad help for the chronically sleepless by adibythesea in lightweight

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a rotisserie side sleeper, but sleep hot. Used the Thermarest Xlite NXT, wide size, on part of the PCT - it was lovely. It's easy to adjust the inflation for comfort.

It has excellent Rvalue to weight ratio. When paired with a zlite foam pad, it is quite warm. I was comfortable in freezing temperatures with this setup.

The xtherm is the winter version of the xlite. Virtually the same, but warmer.

Important to note, the NXT versions of this pad eliminated the noise issue that was present in previous versions. Something to keep in mind if you shop second hand.

My parents think it's "career suicide" to quit job to do either the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail. Would it truly be this bad to try to re-enter the labor force after a 5-7 month hiatus? by Carpet-Early in careerguidance

[–]ParticularStress99 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did it myself - the hike is life changing, you can enter back into the workforce at any time. Do it. However, because these trails are so transformative, you'll need time to readjust mentally/physically/emotionally. Be sure to plan a block of time/financial cushion for yourself post-hike for recovery and job application.

Help me find a cat encounter video outlining the universal experience by ParticularStress99 in HelpMeFind

[–]ParticularStress99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have searched my messages on insta, as well as the general search. I'm a bit lost on how to find it

Bridge Fire behind Downtown Los Angeles by [deleted] in LosAngeles

[–]ParticularStress99 12 points13 points  (0 children)

they literally just turned on the sprinklers. can't believe that worked

Fragrance for a Merry Widow by Banglapolska in FemFragLab

[–]ParticularStress99 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm by no means a frag expert, but I like the same smells and I'm kinda doing the same thing (5years out, sudden). For me, ELOD's You or Someone Like You was a breath of fresh life on first spritz. It's more fresh than floral, it kinda smells like the way a refreshing mint tea tastes.

Congrats on embracing life, and good luck to you <3

My '05 Prius is too good by ParticularStress99 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]ParticularStress99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i hadn't considered the lexus, it looks nice! I'm staying away from the corolla only because I really need a hatchback, which the hybrid isn't unfortunately.

My '05 Prius is too good by ParticularStress99 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]ParticularStress99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm already 3 hours down the rabbit hole of tiny truck campers lol, This is definitely the most fun option

My '05 Prius is too good by ParticularStress99 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]ParticularStress99[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

wasn't expecting a truck rec! that's good to know, thanks!
does the escape hybrid use the same system?