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right on for your trip! the pct is a great adventure. not always fun, but very rewarding. and unbelievable scenery. i hiked it in 2004 - very low snow in the sierra, but lots of rain in OR (unexpected) and WA (expected).
my comments:
trekking poles: i would never think of hiking without them, but you can easily drop lots of weight there. i used REI UL carbon fiber (made by Komperdell) and removed the wrist straps. i like collapsible poles, for adjusting the tarptent pitch, hitchhiking, etc.
ice axe: if you leave in late may, you might not need an ice axe. watch the snow levels. i left a month earlier than that, and the sierra (in 2004 low snow) was simple without it. however, for 7 oz, it's nice to have one when you need it. but FIRST learn to use it (i took a winter mountaineering course), and that means learning to climb in balance, self-belay, and the last resorts of self-arrest. i had a cassin ghost.
crampons: i can't think you'll possibly need these, especially leaving in late may, especially if you have an axe. i did a monthlong hike (SHR) in the high sierra in 2006 in TONS of snow, and there were probably 5 times when we used our grivel airtech crampons. they were great to have then, but we also could've just timed the descents differently, or waited a while for the snow to soften. i'd suggest you don't need crampons.
light shoes: for sure. you don't need all the weight and support with light pack weigth and trekking poles. they keep your feet comfortable in hot socal (and norcal and oregon!) and dry faster in the non-stop wet of the snowmelt sierra and rainy washington. i didn't use gaiters, but i might use very light ones if i did it now.
rain gear: you'll want some kind of rain gear for california too. i got rained on in socal, and sierra thunderstorms can be pretty serious (rain, hail, etc.), albeit usually for a short time period. we got LOTS of rain in oregon, and i didn't have my full cold/wet gear... it wasn't great. i never use rain/wind pants, but i did wear tights under shorts in the rains in WA.
pack: i used an old aether 60, but i'd use the vapor trail if i did the trail now. i have much lighter gear now, and it's a great pack. i'm going to shorten the extension collar of mine, and i cut off the needless bottom side straps that go over the side pockets.
shelter: i used a tartpent squall 1 on my 2004 hike, and i LOVED it. especially in the rain, it's great to have lots of room to spread out and keep dry stuff dry and wet stuff wet. it's a palace. however, i also have a contrail, and am very impressed by the size inside (i'm tall). i'd use that if i did the pct now. henry shires is the man. you'll quickly learn how to deal with condensation and wet inside/outsides - bring a packtowel to wipe it, and dry it in a few minutes when the sun comes out.
groundsheet: i used a tyvek groundsheet, and i might do the same now (vs. polycryo). it's nice to have a burly groundsheet - in socal we just slept out, and it's great for lunchtime siestas, etc. i don't like babying groundsheets.
groundpad: i used a z-rest in socal/sierra, and a short thermarest after tahoe. i might use a nightlite now since they are so light, or my Prolite 3 since it's more comfy. i quickly learned to sleep on my back on the z-rest, and you're so tired usually anyway it just doesn't matter.
sleeping bag: i'm sure your bag is good. i used a WM alpinlite for the whole hike except Tahoe to Ashland, where i took a synthetic kelty 45 bag. i knew it was going to be hot, dry, and dirty for those miles, and didn't want to get my good WM bag dirty, and didn't need the temp.
stove: i used a optimus crux with canister the whole way, but i think i'd go to alcohol and the lightest setup possible now. however, i really enjoyed the convenience and safety of the canister when in my sleeping bag in the rain in OR and WA and cooking in the Squall vestibule. cooking in PCT-style, you can get LOTS of mileage out of a canister, but i still like the superlight approach (well, minus the fuel on longer stretches) for alcohol now.
pot: 0.9L is the way to go. enough room to put a large dinner in. trust me, you'll want to pig out. :)
water: i carried 6 liters max in socal, 1 liter through the sierra, 3 or more in norcal, and remember that there are LONG dry stretches in oregon too. and the hat creek rim. you'll quickly learn (if you don't know) how to deal with water - everyone's apprehensive about it, especially in socal, but you learn to camel up, carry the right amount, predict the sources ahead, etc. it's not a big deal. but err on the side of carrying the capacity for water - my usual was a 1L Aquafina bottle, plus a 2+L Platypus. and i can't stress this enough - DON'T rely on the water caches. i didn't (and i am opposed to them) and found several key ones empty when i arrived. carry the water you need to get to the next reliable source.
camera: a good digital with good movie mode. i took tons of pictures, and also lots of movies. it's great to have all the memories. make sure to keep a journal somehow too - it can seem like a pain sometimes, but it's very woth it.
as you round your list out, i'd be happy to give you any more thoughts i can. pack light and have a great time. most of all, hike your own hike. it's easy to get caught up in trying to keep up with people (or lose people!) or this and that... but just focus on hiking and having fun. it's an amazing trip.
peace.
dave t.
Edited by DaveT on 11/17/2007 10:48:34 MST.
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