2022 Apr-Aug AZT+PCT
- Category Price Weight
-
Food
$20.00
2.75 lb
-
Water
$0.00
2.2 lb
-
Clothes, Worn
$3.00
0.11 lb
-
Sleep
$442.50
1.63 lb
-
Shelter
$272.00
1.15 lb
-
Clothes, Carried
$173.08
1.04 lb
-
Pack
$81.50
1.12 lb
-
Electronics
$116.94
0.86 lb
-
Water
$40.00
0.34 lb
-
Ditty
$23.36
0.34 lb
-
Toilet
$1.00
0.06 lb
-
Kitchen
$3.81
0.08 lb
-
Navigation
$60.00
0 lb
-
Section: AZT Pine to UT
$0.00
0 lb
-
Section: Sierra
$0.00
0 lb
Results
Started AZT March 30th, then PCT May 9th.
AZT went well. Southern half was physically tougher, northern half was mentally tougher. Extra clothing in AZT northern half worked perfectly, used every item I sent.
If I do the AZT again I would probably use the Grand Canyon as the northern terminus, met someone who did that and it seems like a better way to spend a few days. I would definitely bring a gravity setup for AZ as good water sources are a once-per-day event and you end up hanging out there anyway. Might bike parts of the northern half as it was a pretty boring walk.
Gear-wise liked the running vest style pack, it carries weight higher and tighter than a Burn, unexpectedly found myself running a few times when it got light. Loved all the external pockets, put them to good use. CCF sleeping pad worked fine, would use again. Was cold one night in the low-20Fs, put my rain jacket underneath and was fine. Fleece instead of puffy worked fine, only time I was cold was hanging out outside drinking at a party in northern AZ -- could've wrapped myself in my quilt. Am sold on alpha direct fabric -- it's warm, airy and doesn't hold water. It has no stretch at all though, which makes getting it on and off a small hassle, and the fit is slightly awkward compared to fleece with some stretch. Slept in my fleece on a few of the coldest nights in the 20Fs and was cozy. Quickdraw worked well, no complaints; I would recommend it over a Sawyer. Got tired of squeezing and switched to Aquamira after San Jacinto on the PCT and never regretted it. Sent all my cold weather stuff from AZ home in CA except my trucker cap which I used in town, at rest and on a few colder days; it's warmer and more comfortable than the visor but is way too hot to use all the time. Set up my Gatewood Cape shelter 5 times in 85 days, 4 times for strong wind and once for warmth; worked great. Cowboyed in just my Borah bivy 95% of the time, was brain-dead simple and quick to set up (throw it on the ground) and tear down (stuff into pack). Simplified even further by keeping my quilt inside the bivy all the time. Cold soaking on the PCT worked fine once it got hot, cooking on the northern half of the AZT in the cold also worked perfectly, wouldn't change either.
Speed-wise on the PCT I ended up slower than last year on the CDT. I had persistent issues with shoes failing too early. My logistics on the trail were worse and over time it stressed me out and wore me down. It's really easy to lose a day and quite hard to make one up.
I enjoyed carrying a simple, light and compact kit, I stayed comfortable in the arid US west and had so few items I always knew where everything was. Setup and teardown was quick and easy. I kept breakfast and dinner on the outside of my pack but would yard sale half my pack out for lunch, I can do better.
Looking to further lighten and simplify my setup; can probably save another ~1 lb total: Drop the bivy and wind jacket, split the Gatewood Cape into a flat tarp and rain jacket, switch to a woven baselayer for wind-proofness. I tried a Jolly Gear Triple Crown button down; I loved the style but it was too hot, I might make a custom button up hoody. With a hard shell I can lighten my fleece to 90 gsm. Can also lighten/simplify pack by a couple of ounces. Can probably get sleeping pad from 3/4 inches to 1/2 inch or even 1/4 inch CCF. This setup would be reasonable and likely close to the lightest I can practically get for a general-purpose three-season setup.
Planning
Did 30 mpd @ 8 lb bw on the CDT in 2021. Aiming for 35 mpd @ ~6 lb bw on the PCT in 2022.
Start AZT late March/early April, PCT mid-May.
Trickiest part is at Pine on the AZT. The conditions to the north of Pine are so different than the conditions to the south that it is useful to almost consider them separate trips. South of Pine your main concern is heat and lack of water. North of Pine the concerns are cold and precipitation. This is a La Niña year with warmer/drier expected in AZ but it's too soon to tell how that will manifest itself. I will send myself fresh shoes in Pine as well as ~1.5 lbs of clothing layers and my stove so I will be comfortable in the below-freezing temps and snow I am likely to encounter. On the plus side at least it's flat and you can make miles. Will mail this stuff back from SoCal.
Second trickiest is PCT Sierra. The bearcan and resupply is tricky, as is the potential for snow and weather. Last time exited via Kearsarge and the combo of that and Forrester Pass in 1 day resulted in an ankle injury... will try Cottonwood Pass + VVR this time and see what happens.
Research
- Sentinel imagery e.g. AZT south terminus
- https://www.postholer.com/snow/Pacific-Crest-Trail/1#CA
- https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/february-2022-la-ni%C3%B1a-update-just-along-ride
- https://www.johnzahorian.com/2021-pct-gear/
- Interactive SNOTEL charts
- CA Snow Water content
- https://twitter.com/pctwx
- San jac tramway cam
Adjustments
- carry less food: I carried 24 oz / 3500 cal/day on the CDT and it was too much, I always had food left over and I barely lost weight. Eat less on trail and make up the deficit in town. Plan to do shorter carries and more town stops which will give me built-in breaks.
- lower volume food: a Snickers bar is much denser than e.g. a pack of trail mix. Take food volume into account.
- minimize stops and opening pack during the day: carry entire day's food on outside of pack.
- shorter stops: when I do stop for a break or a view or a meal, simplify and shorten them.
- carry less water: I still carry too much out of fear. IMHO more important than carrying lots of water is being mindful of the water you have: know what conditions you face, where your next 3 water sources are, never rely on someone else's cache, reduce sweating, breathe smarter, drink conservatively, travel further, camel up and be less afraid.
- simplify gear: inflatable+sitpad → foam, puffy → fleece, Ti cup+stove → pb jar. not just about weight but simplicity, reliability and time saving.
- MYOG: understand what I'm carrying even better and learn a skill by making some pieces.
- mapping: on the CDT I met several savvy hikers (and one biker) who used GAIA to plot and share fire workarounds, alts and track smoke forecasts, among other things. I hope to learn Caltopo and GAIA over the winter.
- water treatment: will bring a filter for the cow ponds in AZ but will switch to Aquamira for the PCT. grew frustrated with my sawyer filter on the CDT and when i find a good source now i will not always treat
Check/Ship:
red star = TO DO
-
-
Food
Price Weight qty -
food
1 day
$10.00
22
oz2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Water
Price Weight qty -
water
1L
$0.00
1
kg1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Clothes, Worn
Price Weight qty -
sun hat
Headsweats Supervisor. shades my nose and face, adds a small amount of warmth. layers nicely with hoods. sometimes wrapped around my wrist.
$19.00
1.5
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sunglasses
Goodr midnight ramble blue lenses good for blue skies. scratched to shit
$25.00
22
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
nasal dilator
experiment to improve breathing technique
$0.00
0.5
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
base layer
Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoody II (L) (2019) 100% polyester, wicking, breathable, stretchy, comfortable, durable. best sun hoody ever made. discontinued 2023.
$41.00
6.8
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bottom baselayer
Patagonia Baggies (5 inch) (M) secondhand. thick and durable, huge pockets.
$30.00
6.1
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
$0.00
0
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
socks
Gold Toe nylon dress socks (XL). thinnest socks i can find, my feet sweat like crazy in anything thicker.
$3.00
1.8
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gaiters
Dirty Girls (size=DANG!)
$20.00
1.3
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
footwear
Altra Olympus (size=15)
$170.00
30
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
trekking pole
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z (130 cm) (strapless) packs small, moderately durable, light. doubles as shelter pole
$0.00
5.3
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Shelter
Price Weight qty -
tarp
Gatewood Cape (15d) (gray) one of a kind -- a better poncho than a poncho, a better tarp than a tarp. would love a zipperless one in silpoly...
$145.00
10.9
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bivy
Borah Gear Ultralight Bivy (XLong, Wide) thanks John!
$109.00
6.2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
stakes
Ti shepherd hook
$3.00
6.5
g6
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Clothes, Carried
Price Weight qty -
top midlayer
MYOG alpha hoody (120 gsm) w/ extra long sleeves, a confusing combo of high warmth and extreme ventilation
$41.58
8.5
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
top softshell
Montbell Tachyon parka (XL) (2019) love the fit and features, use it every day. thousands of miles later still going strong
$99.00
2.9
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
second socks
Gold Toe (XL) — breathable, cheap
$3.50
1.8
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bottom soft shell
MYOG wind pants dance pants clone (20D 1.1 oz ripstop nylon). light, moderately durable, cheap
$12.00
2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
buff
merino, black-ish. versatile: beanie, eye mask, bandana, towel, balaclava, mask
$15.00
1.2
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
mask
KN95 for transport/public places. works for smoke too.
$2.00
6
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Pack
Price Weight qty -
pack
MYOG gridstop Pa'lante V2 clone. figured out pattern by looking at photos on /r/ulgeartrade, materials mostly from RSBTR, sewed by hand with a needle and thread. hope it works! 😬
$80.00
17
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
pack liner
nylofume. surprisingly durable with care
$1.50
0.9
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Electronics
Price Weight qty -
phone
iPhone 8 (mAh=1821) secondhand w/ case. nav, comm, camera. battery replaced
$0.00
154
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
power bank
Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3
$64.95
150
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
headlamp
Nitecore NU25 (mAh=610) + UL headband. slight weight penalty over flashlight
$30.00
32
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
wall charger
Anker 511 USB C Charger
$12.99
30
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cable
usb-to-lightning (40 inch) (stock) USB C iPhones someday...
$0.00
17
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cable
USB C to USB C cable, 6 inch
$5.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
adapter
USB A to USB C
$3.00
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
adapter
USB C to micro USB
$1.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Water
Price Weight qty -
dirty bottle
Dasani 1L
$0.00
25
g2
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water filter
Platypus Quickdraw (2022). superior to Sawyer Squeeze. good for the AZT, but dropped for the PCT
$40.00
64
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water bladder
Evernew 2L (cap swapped)
$0.00
40
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Ditty
Price Weight qty -
toothpaste
travel size
$0.97
1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sunscreen
travel size. for nose and anything exposed
$1.38
1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
FAK
24 ibuprofen, 8 Sudafed, 2 Zyrtec, 2 Immodium, tweezers in a baggie
$0.00
18
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
wallet
2 cc + id + rubber band
$0.00
15
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
lip balm
Carmex, cheap and doesn't fall out
$1.50
14
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
lighter
Mini Bic
$1.00
11
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sleep aid
one Ibuprofen PM per night until the next Walmart
$3.97
8
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
ditty bag
Ziploc (quart)
$0.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cash
$0.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
knife
Micro Scissors. cuts tape, floss, mail, nails.
$3.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
blister repair
leukotape strips on shipping label backing
$1.00
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
toothbrush
bamboo, chopped. surprisingly durable
$1.49
3
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
gear repair
silnylon patches. for shelter, quilt, bivy, pants, jacket, ... used once on the CDT, another hiker had their tent chewed by a skunk. cut with scissors, worked great.
$9.00
5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
earplugs
for sleep. plus extras because i lose them
$0.05
2
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
sewing kit
floss + needle for repairs, use with microscissors. used twice, once on PCT for quilt rip, lent to someone else on AZT for clothing repair
$0.00
1
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
repair
safety pin for popping blisters, holding stuff together
$0.00
0.5
g1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Toilet
Price Weight qty -
disinfectant
hand sani
$1.00
1
oz1
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Section: AZT Pine to UT
Price Weight qty -
top hard shell
Frogg Toggs Xtreme Lite (XL) secondhand. non-breathable fabric, baggy fit, long enough to cover my butt. hand pockets. trust it more than the UL2. Great cheap option.
$21.27
8.8
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
baselayer bottoms
Patagonia 2 capilene lightweight leggings (XL) secondhand. breathable, comfortable, moderately durable
$15.00
5.9
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
cook kit
toaks 550 + soda can lid + DIY Ti cone + DIY stove + orange mesh bag
$40.00
2.9
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
warm socks
Darn Tough Hiker 1/4 Cushioned (XXL)
$18.00
2.5
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
glove liners
Decathlon Adult Mountain Trekking Fleece Liner Gloves - Trek 100 (XL) cheap, surprisingly durable
$2.00
26
g0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
-
-
Section: Sierra
Price Weight qty -
bear can
BV450 (2024)
$61.00
33
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
bug headnet
Coleman. doubles as clothes sack / pillow. from Walmart
$5.00
0.3
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water treatment
aquamira liquid
$0.00
2
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-
water treatment
Aquamira (weight of bottles). doesn't clog up or freeze
$15.00
1
oz0
- oz
- lb
- g
- kg
-