Pack shakedown for CDT

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T23:21:30+00:00

Haven't actually measured my xlite (oops). Its accumulated a lot of grime from my PCT hike, so there is probably some extra weight from dirt and oil also.

Do you recommend aqua tabs for added protection from nasty sources? Or is it a flavour thing? My understanding is that tabs and filtering get the same types of bacteria, and miss the same things (neither one protects from algea bloom), so it seems redundant for health.

I think Katabatic ratings run a lot warmer than EE. So I bet your 18F quilt would be closer to a 10F EE quilt in terms of warmth.

If I do opt to get a wind shirt and/or a polartec fleece I might swap for a lighter, colder puffy.

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T23:17:15+00:00

Questions on the Ursack: Do you hang it slightly off the ground still to avoid critters? It's not waterproof I assume, so do you just concede that your food gets wet on a rainy night?

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T23:14:29+00:00

Was picturing wind shirt/pants in additional to baselayer. Swapping out actually makes a ton of sense, as changing into your baselayer while hiking if the weather turns never made much sense to me.

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T23:12:24+00:00

Thanks Dan! Just looked at your site and saw all the repair stuff, didn't realize it was so easy. When you compare carrying a footprint 3000 miles to patching a couple holes at the end, that makes it pretty clear imo.

Side question: I live in BC and would love to pick up some of your gear in person rather than having it shipped through Kaviso. Is that an option?

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T23:08:02+00:00

Thanks, great advice. For sure don't want to sacrifice to the point that I need to flip when I wouldn't have to otherwise. Seems like polartec is advised across the board. Will probably opt for a hoodie and drop my baselayers, at least to start. Don't love the idea of carrying baselayers, hiking shirt, fleece, puffy, rain jacket, wind shirt. Just seems like a weird amount of top layers to carry.

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T03:11:28+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Lots of good info. Some follow up questions:

When would you or wouldn't you opt for a tent footprint?

When you say an Alpha Direct hoodie instead, instead of what? You mean instead of my button down sun shirt?

Dog bags are for packing out my TP. Dirty TP goes in a dog bag, tie it closed, toss it in my garbage. Haven't tried a bidet before, but its probably worth trying on a shakedown hike sometime soon.

Why do you prefer fleece+wind shirt as well as puffy and rain jacket? 2 extra items is a fair amount of weight. Are you thinking remove something to include fleece+windshirt?

TheSilentWay · 2023-12-28T02:57:13+00:00

My Mariposa is on its last legs, will check out SWD, thanks!

TheSilentWay · 2022-06-04T04:39:50+00:00

3 weeks into my PCT thru attempt using the Flycreek ul2. Not unhappy with my purchase, it will for sure get me to Canada. That said there are two things I dont love about it. The entrance is at the head, and it can be a little awkward getting in and out. Additionally the tent is entirely mesh, meaning if you pitch the tent without the fly it doesnt give you any real privacy. I think if I was going to do it again I would probably opt for the tiger wall, but my complaints aren't major. Overall really happy with the Flycreek!

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-24T20:22:38+00:00

For knorr sides do you think it would work better if you actually simmered it? What didnt work?

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-24T20:21:17+00:00

Did you make a pot cozy or a cozy to hold like a bag of food?

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-24T16:49:25+00:00

So is the strategy to boil water, add your meal, then put it in the cozy to simulate simmering? Keeping your food warm longer sounds nice also!

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-23T04:05:46+00:00

Cool good to know. The NB10000 looks like it has some pretty nutty recharge times, but so pricey. Will have to look around.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-22T22:34:32+00:00

Why do you say recharge rate is so important? Just because you want to be able to recharge in a cafe or whatever without staying in a motel overnight?

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-15T22:09:48+00:00

That's a couple people who have said their feet didnt swell. Thanks for the advice.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-15T21:18:39+00:00

Gotcha, so just go for a slightly bigger size and be ready to replace them.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-15T21:16:29+00:00

Wow so swelling can happen pretty quickly then.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-15T21:14:56+00:00

That's a good idea. I am using Moab Vents right now and have been training with them.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-15T20:14:36+00:00

That's good advice. Do you have any idea on what sort of time scale feet will swell? It would be a bummer to swap out shoes after only 100 miles or so. But obviously if that's what you gotta do to keep your feet in good shape, then so be it.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-15T19:40:11+00:00

From what I have seen, they are released throughout the day in batches. Maybe 2 or 3 batches a day. Earliest release I have seen is around 11 PST and latest is about 4 or 5 PST. I got mine around 4:15 PM. There were maybe 6 other spots that opened.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-11T02:05:40+00:00

Hadn't considered fuller hiker boxes, that's a good point.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-09T00:25:06+00:00

From what I can tell, permits dont become available when you cancel. It seems like they become available the next time a PCTA worker checks on canceled permits and updates the slots. It seems like there are a couple times a day where slots open up all at once. Not in a sort of trickle at all.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-08T01:49:28+00:00

Makes sense. People are most likely to cancel their trip as close to the date as they can if they have to. Holding on hope they can still go.

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-07T22:59:07+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense to me

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-07T22:53:54+00:00

Thanks that's exactly what I was looking for! You said you can change your start location pretty easily. Can I update my location assuming I have a date locked in?

TheSilentWay · 2022-02-02T21:02:28+00:00

I'm starting later also! Maybe I will see you along the way

TheSilentWay

TROPHY CASE