11/5/2015: Priorities

At this point in the planning stage (Christmas approaching...), it is important that I shore up my priorities for new/needed gear. As mentioned before, I am searching for the items which give the greatest weight savings per dollar spent. Below is a link to the list (in spreadsheet form, obvi) showing the finalized new gear list. 

SPREADSHEET LINK

Priority is based on cost per ounce saved, ounces saved, pack volume saved, and necessity. By reducing pack volume, I am able to carry a smaller (and lighter) pack, therefore reducing weight. Items that save significant amounts of both weight and volume (like the shelter and sleeping bag) have been placed higher on the list. Items 1 thru 6 on the list are what I've deemed prerequisites; that is, gear that may or may not not save weight but are still necessary for the trip. These include things like a point-and-shoot camera and a sit pad, which add weight but are still something I want to carry.

Items 7 & 8: Immediately following the prerequisites is a new water filtration system, which consists of the filter itself (Sawyer Mini) and a water storage bag (Evernew 2 liter). Together, these 2 items cost only $36 and save 1 lb 3 oz (1.9 $/oz). They replace a heavier pump-style water filter and 1 liter Nalgene bottle.

Item 9: The next piece of gear is a new shelter; the ProTrail from TarpTent. My current shelter is a two-person REI Camp Dome (5 lb 1 oz, incl. tent body, fly, poles, stakes, and lightweight polycro ground sheet). The ProTrail is a lightweight, tarp-style, single-person shelter that relies on hiking poles to pitch. Consisting of little more than a tarp and shallow bathtub-like bug net/floor, its total weight (incl. tent, stakes, and polycro ground sheet) is only 1 lb 11 oz (3 lb 2 oz saved, 4.2 $/oz).

Item 10: At 6.0 $/oz, an Enlightened Equipment Enigma top quilt in place of my mummy sleeping bag saves almost 5 liters of pack space along with 2 lb 4 oz.

Item 11: A pair of Ultralight Rain Pants from AntiGravity Gear would replace my zipoff style hiking pants and save 10 oz at 5.5 $/oz.

Item 12: Next is a new cookpot. Moving from a nonstick-coated pot to an un-coated titanium one is made possible by the fact that I won't be doing any cooking of food directly in the pot; I'll only be boiling water for dehydrated meals (food tends to stick to titanium pots). In addition, the most water I'll need to boil at a time is 2 cups (16 fl oz, 475 mL). At 1.8 L (61 fl oz), my current pot is oversized. Switching to a SnowPeak Trek 700 will save 5.3 oz for only 7.3 $/oz.

Item 13: While the weights of some categories like toiletries and food can be minimized cheaply by simple research and diligence (and spreadsheets), the insulating clothing layer tends to be one where the only weigh way to save weight is to spend money. Even still, a new (goose) down jacket from MontBell (5.6 oz) would replace my (synthetic) down hooded jacket from Columbia (22.5 oz) at a cost of just 9.6 $/oz. In addition to being more lightweight than synthetic down, goose down is more compressible. This allows me to reduce my pack volume and weight even further.

Item 14: Hanging one's food isn't a legal requirement on the Oregon section of the PCT, but sometimes it will be necessary. For example, mice and ants are fairly common on the trail. The former have been known to chew their way through tents and food bags in search of tasty treats. Because of this, a simple method (meaning not necessarily bear proof like in the Sierra Nevadas) of hanging food is desired. The PCT hang is both simple and quick, requiring minimal gear. ZPacks sells a Bear Bag Kit, which consists of a durable (but lightweight) food bag (1.4 oz), 50' of lightweight cordage (1.4 oz), a rock sack (0.1 oz), and a small carabiner (0.1 oz). These 4 items would save 4.4 oz at 10.3 $/oz.

Item 15: The main way to save weight on my sleeping pad is to switch to a closed cell foam (CCF) pad, as opposed to an inflatable mattress. The downside to CCF pads is that they are (for me) terribly uncomfortable. The other way to save weight is to shrink the size of the pad. By switching to a pad that only extends from my head to upper thighs, I can shed about 1/3 of the weight and still maintain a comfortable sleep system. My empty backpack would typically serve as the remaining terminus of the mattress, resting under my feet and lower legs to provide insulation and comfort. A Thermarest NeoAir XLite (short length, 8.0 oz) would replace my REI Flash (regular length, 16.5 oz) at 15.3 $/oz.

All items listed are also on my PCT Pinterest board.

10/12/2015: Stoves

Now that I've decided on bringing a stove (as opposed to going stoveless), the only decision left is which stove system to use. Only 2 options remain at this point: A denatured alcohol Fancy Feast stove and canister fuel with a screw-on stove.

A Fancy Feast stove is a simple, lightweight, and inexpensive option for lightweight backpacking. It is an empty cat food can with holes punched around the top of the can. One simply fills the stove with denatured alcohol (Heet gasoline additive is usually easy to find) and lights it on fire. Once the cook pot is on top, the flames are forced out of the holes creating fairly efficient flames. Normally, this type of system is the lightest for shorter trips. The stove weighs just 6 g and the amount of fuel brought on the trip is adjustable (as opposed to a canister fuel container). In addition, there is flexibility in the alcohol fuel container. Typically, a small 8 fl oz flask (0.95 oz) is just the right amount for a weekend trip. The downsides to this system are its controllability and weight (ironically). Once the stove is lit, the flame is nearly invisible (especially in bright conditions) and will persist until the fuel is spent. In a dry environment where a human-caused forest fire is a real danger, this type of stove is an irresponsible choice since there is no way to shut off the flame. In addition, while this system tends to be lighter for short trips, the relatively low energy density of the fuel becomes the limiting factor for extended trips. Larger (heavier) fuel containers must be carried, and the weight of the fuel begins to offset the savings presented by the stove itself. Below are the stats for this system.

Stove Wt: 0.78 oz (incl stove and windscreen)
Fuel Container Wt: 1.1 oz (16 fl oz Smart water bottle)
Fuel Container Capacity: 16 fl oz
Fuel per Meal: 1.8 fl oz

A "jet stove" and pressurized fuel canister is likely the most common backpacking cooking system. It is safer and easier to use than an alcohol stove system, and is generally lightweight. Because the fuel and fuel container are relatively heavy, it is often overshadowed by an alcohol-based cooking system for shorter weekend trips. However, once the trip length creeps upwards of 5 days, the energy density of the pressurized fuel begins to offset the weight of its container and it becomes the lighter choice. The other benefit of a jet stove system is the ability to positively shut off the flame and fuel source. Below are the stats for this system.

Stove Wt: 3.5 oz (incl. stove and bag)
Fuel Container Wt: 4.2 oz (110g pressurized canister)
Fuel Container Capacity: 3.9 oz
Fuel per Meal: 0.32 oz

The static factors when comparing weights of cooking systems are the stove (plus accessories like carrying bag, windscreen, etc.) and the fuel container (not the fuel itself). One can think of these as "overhead." They must be carried regardless of the trip length. The dynamic factor is the amount of fuel carried, which depends on the trip length. The alcohol-based system has the benefit of flexibility in the amount of fuel carried. On a one night trip, you may only use 15% of the fuel in a jet stove container. However, you still must carry the entire 4.2 oz of the canister because the fuel is pressurized and cannot be repacked into smaller containers. On the same trip, using an alcohol stove, I would only need to carry 1.8 fl oz of fuel, meaning I could downsize my fuel container to something that only weighs 0.7 oz. The comparison table for this trip is below.

As you can see, the fuel container for the alcohol system is able to be scaled down to fit the length of the trip. In contrast, the jet system requires you to carry the excess capacity. In this case, the alcohol system weighs less than half of the jet system.

Also evident in the table are the various other factors which influence the overall weight of the cooking system. Starting from the top, The static weights (stove and fuel container) are listed. Following that, the total and daily mileage of the trip is listed. From this, the total trip length (in days) is calculated. The next input is meals/day. This is anywhere from 0.5 (cooked dinner every other night) to 3.0 (cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day). Total number of meals for the trip is then acquired. The final input is the amount of fuel required per meal. From this, we can calculate the total amount of fuel and therefore the number/size of fuel container(s) needed. The total weight is then simply STOVE + FUEL CONTAINER(S) + FUEL. 

In the next example, the longest resupply stint I will face on the trail (105 miles) is modeled. On the alcohol side, you will notice the changes include: alcohol fuel container weight (changed from small 2 oz bottle to a 16 oz water bottle), miles, and meals/day (assumed cooked breakfasts every other day). This table paints clear picture of the downsides of an alcohol-based system. The fuel simply contains much less energy per oz than the pressurized canister.

From this data, we can plot a chart of the overall cook system weight (vertical axis) as a function of trip duration (horizontal axis). This applies the same parameters (miles/day, meals per day, etc.) to both the jet and alcohol systems while varying the trip length. The point at which the 2 lines cross is the trip distance where the 2 systems would weigh the same. Any shorter and the alcohol system is lighter. Any further and the jet system is lighter. Also of note are the steep jumps that occur at mile 120 for the alcohol system and mile 160 for the jet system. These are the points at which an extra (or larger) fuel container would need to be carried.

10/11/15: Hiking

Topographic map (follow trail North to South)

Route: Trail 626 from Vista Ridge trailhead, 2.5 miles to user trail continuing up the ridge. South another 1.5 miles to the top of Barrett Spur. Descent via same path.

Stats: 8.1 miles (3,600' gain)

Notes: Trail 626 links up with the old Vista Ridge trail after 0.3 miles. After filling out our wilderness pass at the kiosk, we continued uphill at a fast pace, gaining 1,300' and 2.5 miles in just under an hour. After a quick peanut butter snack, we left the trail and started up the direct, steep slope to the base of Barrett Spur. Gaining 1,500' in only 1 mile, we finally started up the steep user trail on the north ridge of the spur proper. We quickly discovered the slick, transparent sheets of ice on the north side of most rocks, and proceeded with caution until gaining the summit of the first and lower of Barrett Spur's 2 peaks. Looking south, the view of Mt. Hood's daunting north face was incredible, glaciers and steep faces making us feel small. Looking across the ridge to the true summit of the spur, I continued until the start of the final climb, where the ice and exposed nature convinced me to halt. Ryan proceeded on to the summit (you can see him at the top), then returned for a lunch break of epic proportions. Our perch felt like the top row of a movie theater, with Mounts St. Helens, Ranier, and Adams the stars. The clouds beneath us began to thicken and race towards us, so we began the steep trek back down to the car. 

9/14/15: Hiking

Mt. Hood from Zigzag Canyon

Route: Trail 778 from Paradise Park trailhead, 5.3 miles to PCT. East 2.5 miles to trail 779. South 4.4 miles to Rd. 39, 0.9 miles back to car.

Stats: 13.8 miles (4,281' gain)

Notes: Trail 778 (Paradise Park) climbs the west side of Zigzag Canyon. The trail is sustained and quite steep at times, offering 2 main viewpoints: one partway up the canyon atop the steep western walls, the other among beach-like sand below the towering peak. At the junction with the PCT, we turned right and admired the vast chasm that is Zigzag canyon, Mt. Jefferson looming in the distance. After an accidental detour and a lunch of salami, cheese, and snickers, a gradual descent to the crotch of the canyon led us to a wmildly flowing Zigzag river. The trail then kicked back and provided a tough mental and physical challenge from mile 6.5-8.0, climbing 1,400'. The best view was atop a steep saddle on the east ridge of Zigzag canyon, providing us with a clear view of Illumination rock below the summit of Mt. Hood. The lack of snow near the summit gave us the sense that we could simply hike to the top, while the harsh, dust-laden wind urged us to keep moving. Once at the junction with Trail 779 (Hidden Lake), we turned right towards the car and descended sharply for 2 miles past Hidden Lake. The trail then levels to a fast 2 miles back to the road. Just under a mile on the road (tarmac hiking is actually really terrible after miles on the dirt) brought us back to the car, and a high-five celebrated our accomplishment.

9/4/2015: Itinerary

Spreadsheet magic

While it will be impossible to plan out each day of a 430-mile hike, an overall schedule is necessary to plan out resupplies and food quantities. The main topics to be worked out are starting date, resupply quantities/locations, and total time on trail.

Picking a starting date is somewhat of a balancing act. Weather, trail conditions, bug activity, and work schedules all play a part. The window for weather and trail conditions is between mid June and early September. Any earlier than June and one risks running into too much snow. Any later than September and drying creeks combined with hot temperatures make for a difficult trip. I'm still researching when bug activity is at a minimum, but it seems like it's too hard to predict. In addition, I've yet to read a PCT journal that didn't mention how terrible the bugs were through Oregon. It may just be a fact of the trail and time of year, so all I can do is prepare with the proper gear and mental outlook. Since I want to meet Kylie along the way and will be relying on her for to and from the trail, the duration of the hike must fall within her summer break, which starts in mid June and ends in early September.

Alternatively, one could reference the schedules of the hundreds of thru-hikers starting at either border (Mexico or Canada) to see when they'll be in Oregon. The standard start date for the 5-month trip is early April for Northbounders and late June for Southbounders. This places the Oregon window between July 15 and August 6 for both groups (assumes overall 20 mile/day pace). However, when planning to hike the entire trail, Oregon is hardly the driving factor for selecting a start date. For Northbounders, the crucial times are the heat in the southern California desert, residual snow in the Sierras, and new snow in the Washington Cascades. For Southbounders, the critical window is avoiding residual snow in the Cascades and getting to the Sierras before new snow. In both cases, Oregon not the priority but rather an afterthought sandwiched between more serious challenges.

The duration of the hike is based on average miles hiked each day, number of zero-mile days, and time spent at resupply locations. My duration assumes a 20 mile/day average, which is based on research and what I think I am capable of. After interrogating Ryan and reading others' online journals, I've learned that once your body gets used to hiking every day, the miles tend to come easier. In addition, it's not hard to spend 12-16 hours each day hiking, especially when solo. After eating dinner at 6:00 PM, for example, you have the option of setting up camp and relaxing for 3 hours waiting for the sun to set, or you can keep hiking and gain another 6 miles (assuming your feet abide). In short, there's not much else to do but hike! I don't plan on taking any zero-days, save for any potential meet-ups with friends along the trail. As a buffer/safety factor, I've assumed that once I make it to each of my resupply locations, I'll spend the rest of the day there, continuing on the next morning. This accomplishes a few things: It allows me time to collect my resupply package, purchase anything I may need, charge my devices (phone, battery pack, camera), eat "real food" at any facilities there may be, and shower/launder, if available. As calculated by one of my many spreadsheets (photo above), this works out to a total duration of 25 days.

All things considered, I am thinking that a start date coinciding with the full PCT dates (July 14 - Aug 7) is best. In addition to satisfying the criteria outlined above, it conveniently accomplishes a few additional things. It occurs in the window between Kylie and my wedding anniversary (July 2) and Kylie's birthday (August 13). In addition, hiking during the standard Oregon window means there will be the highest volume of thru hikers and therefore the most potential for receiving support. Since I'm hiking solo, the chances of getting help on trail will be the greatest during this time. 

9/1/15: Calories

Mmmm, peanut butter

The main priorities for me when it comes to food are perishability, calories/oz (weight), and ease of prep/cleanup. By and large, there are 2 main options I'm considering: boiling water for dehydrated meals or eating all cold meals. There are certainly benefits to both options, but my (limited) experience is steering me towards the former.

By going stoveless and eating only cold meals, I could save almost 1 lb by eliminating my stove (3.5 oz), cookpot w/ lid (3.0 oz), pot cozy (0.6 oz), and fuel (8.0 oz, in canister). Also saved is the time and headache of setup and teardown of the stove every night (and perhaps some mornings). The obvious downside is cold meals. I've done some research into no-cook hiking and, to be honest, it sounds terrible. Breakfast and lunch options would be mostly the same as if I had a stove, since I don't plan on heating water for most of those meals. Dinner, however, is where the stove system makes up for its added weight. Many no-cook dinners would consist mostly of the trail foods I'd been eating all day: granola bars, trail mix, peanut butter, dried fruit, candy, etc. While there are some dried foods that can be rehydrated with cold water (quinoa, cous cous, chia seeds, insta-potatoes), they tend to require a lot of other ingredients to make them palatable, some of which don't have a shelf life of 30+ days. Since I'll be sending resupply packages ahead of time (as opposed to buying in towns along the way), everything in them must last at least 30 days.

I believe that for trips up to a week long, going stoveless is a viable option. For my situation (25+ days of hiking with resupplies sent ahead of time), bringing a stove will serve me much better. Not only are the dinner possibilities much more delicious and calorie-filled, the stove will give me the flexibility to have hot breakfasts when I need them.

In keeping with the theme of carrying as little weight as possible, finding foods with a high caloric density is essential. An average of over 100 calories/oz is ideal. Foods that tend to be high in fats are very good in this sense: peanut butter, olive oil, nuts, and candy. Foods that are mostly protein or carbs are generally heavier: tuna, jerky, bread, and cheese. Of course, calories aren't the only thing to be concerned with. While it is necessary to eat over 3,000 calories/day, providing your body with a decent mix of fat, protein, and carbs is also important. Again, there exists a balance. This one between carrying the lightest 3,000 calories/day and the healthiest 3,000 calories/day.

Keeping a constant variety of foods will also be crucial. After my 2013 hike of Mt. Whitney, I learned that all the calories in the world mean nothing if you don't want to eat them. Although the elevation played a large part in ruining our appetites, we all learned the hard way that if it doesn't taste that good to begin with, it will certainly not taste good after eating 10 of them (I'm talking about Clif bars). This is part of the challenge in sending resupplies in advance: I'll need to decide on and send my 25 days of food up front.

I was surprised with the breadth of foods that can be packed in without spoiling. Aside from the obvious items (nuts, jerky, granola bars, etc.), cheese blocks, dry salami, mayo packets, summer sausages, and dehydrated ground beef offer the ability to vary meals in an exciting way.

Breakfast
Breakfasts will either be hot or cold, depending on how I'm feeling that particular morning. A 110g canister of fuel will contain enough fuel for heating water every morning and night for a week, so I have some flexibility. One of the things I'll need to work out during training trips is if/how often I feel like cooking for breakfast. While hot oatmeal and tea every morning sounds nice now, taking the time to boil water before hiking may not be something I want to do every day. I suspect that I will end up mixing both strategies.

For hot breakfasts, oatmeal will be the go-to. For ease of packing and cleanup, I will likely pre-package 2 packets of insta-oatmeal into individual sandwich bags. Dried fruits (cranberries, blueberries, etc.) are easily added on the trail and provide some variety. Since I suspect I'll only be having hot breakfasts once every few days, I'm not too worried about getting sick of the oatmeal.

For cold breakfasts, it's all about danishes and granola bars. I am also looking forward to testing out granola mixed with powdered milk. I'm hoping it turns out like the Trader Joe's cereal...

Lunch/Snacks
So far, my backpacking snacks have normally consisted of pretty typical trail food: peanut butter (it's the best), trail mix, bars, almonds, candy, and jerky. Lunches are slightly more interesting, but still not cooked. Current items I like include dry salami, tuna sandwiches (foil tuna pouch, mayo packet, bread) and tortilla rolls (ingredients ranging from peanut butter and nutella to salami and cheese).

Some things I'm looking forward to trying between now and next summer are ProBars (supposedly good tasting and very filling), PB&J on flatbread, dehydrated fruits, and more tortilla wraps (want to experiment with PB, jerky, hot sauce, fritos, etc.). I also read about someone who brought Emergen-C for electrolyte and vitamin intake...something to think about. I could also use Gatorade powders in my water at lunch and/or dinner, which provide a welcome break from the monotony of 5 L/day of water.

Dinner
Dehydrated meals cooked in freezer bags are the name of the game here. Not only do they give me a hot meal full of good calories, they are (relatively) lightweight and (extremely) easy to clean up. Some things I've liked in the past are Mountain House entrees (made in Albany, OR!), Knorr sides (pasta, rice, and asian), insta-potatoes, and mac and cheese.

While Mountain House entrees are the easiest and (generally) have the best flavor and texture, they are very expensive (between $5-8 per meal). Knorr Pasta sides have good flavor but a funny texture (they are designed to be boiled in a pot for 5-10 minutes, not just rehydrated by sitting in hot water). I've read great things about the Knorr Rice and Asian sides (yet to try). Idahoan insta-potatoes are supposed to be a favorite of thru-hikers. I've seen some "interesting" recipes that involve combining a pack of insta-potatoes and a pack Ramen noodles (nicknamed the Ramen Bomb for the dense orb of calories it assumes). Classic mac and cheese rehydrates pretty well after 15 minutes of sitting in a pot cozy. The noodles take on a different texture than when boiled for 10 minutes, but the radioactive cheese mix is the star. The other selling point is that 1 box provides 780 calories for under $1 and 7.6 oz. A squirt of olive oil bumps the calories over 1,000 and results in a caloric density of 117 cal/oz.

All of these get repackaged into freezer bags with any included flavor/spice packets already mixed in. On the trail, I simply set the freezer bag in my pot cozy, pour in hot water, close the bag, then wait 10-15 minutes for the food to rehydrate. The pot cozy (made from reflectix bubble insulation) keeps the concoction hot while it cooks. After eating, I simply close the freezer bag and put it in my trash bag. A quick lick of the spoon and dishes are done! Since I'm only using my cookpot for boiling water, it never needs to be cleaned.

There are a number of dinner options I'm looking forward to trying. Some are simple additions like adding summer sausages to mac and cheese, tuna to Knorr pasta sides, and having miso soup packets as an appetizer to Knorr asian sides. New ideas include meals I've never tried backpacking-style. Tacos can be had with a dehydrated taco filling mix, tortillas, and cheese. Bean and cheese burritos are similar except with a black bean mix, to which ready-rice can also be added. Sloppy joe mix on flat bread sounds appealing, as does a simple meal of pasta, freeze dried ground beef, and olive oil.

08/27/15: Partner

I talked with Kylie about general info and logistics last night, and it helped me to verbalize feelings I was having about the hike. Until tonight, it was mainly just me and my spreadsheets. Her main questions were

1. Why solo?
2. How is cell service?
3. Can we meet up for sections of hiking?

For me, the issue of thru-hiking solo is mostly a matter of practicality. It is virtually impossible for 2 hikers to be on the same schedule. One may need a rest day to recover from blisters while the other is ready for a long day. One may want to stop for dinner at 6:00 and continue hiking into the night while the other doesn't want to eat until 8:00 and be done for the day. In addition to the practical reasons, I believe I would get more from the hike (spiritually and emotionally) by myself. The thought of being completely free to decide where, when, and how I hike, camp, eat is appealing to me. Obviously, there are safety concerns, but between my research, planning, and loved ones willing to help, I know we can make it safe.

It appears as though cell service is quite good along the trail. At a minimum, I'm expecting to be able to make calls and emails at all 4 resupplies. Here are the grades given to the 4 resupplies according to PCTA’s cell service report: Mazama Village (A), Shelter Cove Resort (A/B), BLYC (B), Timberline Lodge (B), Cascade Locks (A). Service is actually pretty decent along the trail, with a grade of at least B coming every 50 miles or so. The other good thing about the PCT is that it will be relatively busy at that time of year. I'll likely be starting my hike within the window of full-trail PCT hikers arriving in Oregon (late June to late July), so I'll be getting passed by a number of hikers daily.

I do hope I can meet up with Kylie and Geoff for short sections of the hike, perhaps for a weekend or 2. I think I would enjoy the change of pace and company. The main hurdle is logistics. They would need to shuttle 2 cars or take public transit on the way down and/or back. I looked into good spots for making this happen and have yet to come up with any good ideas.

08/26/15: Chopped

Nothing is safe (source)

Current base weight is 17.7 lbs. Working my way through the lists again to see what else is a big contributor.

List of heavy items that could potentially be eliminated: sandals (TBD, approx. 2.20 oz), gaiters (LevaGaiters, 1.80 oz, $28), knife (Mora Companion, 3.40 oz), pack cover (ULA, 3.00 oz), sit pad (3.25 oz), mug (GSI, 1.5 oz), miscellaneous cord lengths (2.35 oz), and my grandpa's old candle lantern (old school REI, 8.60 oz). Eliminating everything would save 26.1 oz (holy crap that's a lot), but would come at a cost.

1. Sandals (2.2 oz, source) - These are for lounging around camp. I'm either going buy a cheapo foam pair or make them out of a blue foam sleeping pad from WalMart. I kind of love how ugly they are. Plus, they are lighter than any other options and are dirt cheap (can make multiple pairs from one sleeping pad). If I don't bring sandals, I'll be stuck wearing my hiking shoes around camp, which sounds annoying. I'd probably want to wear socks in the shoes but could go barefoot in the sandals. These will stay for now.
2. Gaiters (1.8 oz) -  This will have to be trail-tested once I get low-top trail runners. The idea is that they keep crap out of your shoes, but I'm not convinced this will be a problem. From what I've read, most of Oregon is packed dirt. This is in contrast to southern California (sand) and the Sierras (rocks) where gaiters would be much more valuable.
3. Knife (3.4 oz) - I already have a small folding knife (Gerber Compact Scout, 0.90 oz) included in my base weight. The question is whether or not I need this larger, fixed-blade knife. Pros: allows me to process firewood, provides a better sense of security/self-defense. Cons: weight (obvi), likely to have no fires due to fire restrictions, false sense of security. Apparently the only reason I have the knife is for a (potentially false) sense of security, so I'll need to decide if this is something that is 3.4 oz important to me.
4. Pack Cover (3.0 oz) - I'll definitely be using a heavy duty trash bag (1.5 oz) inside my pack as a liner for my sleeping bag and clothes, so I'm not sure a pack cover is really necessary. Plus, pack covers don't keep the pack 100% dry (the area on your back is still exposed), so water will work its way into the pack one way or the other. I think this is gone.
5. Sit Pad (3.25 oz) - I always said this was worth its weight, but nothing is safe at this point. Actually, I just read that the ULA Ohm 2.0 has a removable foam back pad weighing (1.5 oz) so this additional sit pad is out.
6. Mug (1.5 oz) - For lunch, there will be no cooking and therefore no mug required. For dinner, I'll boil water in the cookpot, then pour it into a freezer bag containing dehydrated food. The freezer bag sits in a reflectix cozy (size and weight yet to be analyzed) and the food is eaten straight from there (no need for a mug/bowl). For breakfast, I'll either be eating oatmeal or danishes. The oatmeal can be repackaged into sandwich bags or can be eaten straight from its pouch (although that may make it difficult to add fruit/toppings). However, I'll likely want to be eating 2 oatmeal packets per breakfast anyways, so I'll just repackage them into sandwich bags (and perhaps add the fruits/toppings beforehand). This means I can rehydrate, cook, and eat directly out of the bag (assuming my pot cozy works with both large and small bags). So, the only thing left for the mug is hot beverages. On the mornings when I'm heating water for oatmeal, I'll probably want tea or coffee and will thus need something to drink it out of. This means either drinking from a mug or drinking straight from the cookpot. My current cookpot is fairly large (1.8 L), and the orientation of the handle makes it too unwieldy for direct drinking. Since the most water I'll need to boil at a time is 2 cups (16 fl oz, 0.5 L), I could find a smaller cookpot that is smaller, lighter, and more suitable for drinking (new cookpot to be analyzed below). The other option I've seen is a cheap plastic travel mug. This would likely add 2-3 oz, but would allow me to hike with a hot beverage instead of trying to gulp it down at camp so I can start hiking. It would also keep the beverage hot for a long(er) time than an uninsulated metal cookpot. In conclusion, I think all this means that I should ditch the small GSI mug. If I want to drink tea at camp, I'll use the cookpot (if I get a new, sexier one) or get a travel mug (cheap, sexy in its own way). The travel mug also gives me the added flexibility of walking and drinking, which my current one does not.
7. Miscellaneous Cord Lengths (2.35 oz) - This is a group of cordage lengths on a carabiner. I typically bring this when using my Mamajamba tarp as it allows more flexibility in setup. However, the TarpTent Protrail is pretty much a one-trick pony so the only extra cordage I need will be for hanging food, clotheslines, etc. which I can accomplish with one 30 ft length (already included in base weight). For these reasons, Miscellaneous Cord Lengths (2.35 oz), you've been chopped.
8. Lantern (8.60 oz) - As bloody heavy as this thing is, I don't want to leave it behind. After my grandma bequeathed this to me, I knew I owed it to my grandpa to use it in a deserving way. I believe a month-long trek on the PCT is a as good a chance as I'll ever get, and that both my grandma and grandpa would be happy to know that I brought it along. However, I have two concerns: that it might get damaged and that fire restrictions wouldn't allow its use. I know I can come up with a safe way to store it (I'm thinking reflectix, maybe integrated with my pot cozy...). If the fire season allows, I'll bring it.

With these optional items gone, I just saved 15.3 oz. This is assuming I actually follow through with the gaiters and knife. Along with some other minor changes, my base weight is down to 16.1 lbs.

The list of heavy items I have to keep, but could replace, is as follows: insulation layer (Columbia Platinum, 22.25 oz), battery pack (Outdoor Tech Kodiak, 9.4 oz, $50 or Mophie Powerstation, 4.4 oz, $80), cookpot (GSI 1.8L, 8.05 oz), pot cozy (1.09 oz).

1. Down Jacket (22.25 oz) - Clothing is a frustrating category because unlike some other items, money is pretty much the only way to make any significant gains. I'm happy with the weight of the rest of my clothes (shirts, light jacket, pants, beanie, gloves), but the Columbia puffy jacket I have leaves a lot of room for improvement. A Montbell jacket (Ex Light, 5.6 oz, $200) would provide a pound of savings. At $12 per oz saved, it's not the best deal, but 1 lb is a lot of weight.
2. Battery Pack (9.4 oz) - For an extra $30, I can shave 5 oz ($6 per oz saved) by going to the Mophie Powerstation. I've tried my darndest to eliminate this brick all together, but I believe it will be the lightest way to keep my devices (phone and camera) charged.
3. Cookpot (8.05 oz) - Per the mug discussion above, I only need 16 fl oz / 0.5 L of cooking capacity as opposed to the 1.8 L I have now. The SnowPeak 600 (2.8 oz, $40) is a good fit and a pretty good value at only $7.62 per oz saved. I'll also get a lip guard (SnowPeak HotLips, 0.3 oz, $4) so I can use the pot as a mug without burning my face off.
4. Pot Cozy (1.09 oz) - My current pot cozy is sized to fit snugly around my GSI cookpot. If I do get the smaller SnowPeak pot, I'll make a new pot cozy that fits snugly around it. I'll still eat dinners directly out of the freezer bag, which sits in the cozy. This will likely only result in about 0.5 oz savings, but is free and makes packing easier.

Current base weight after all these (assumed) changes is 14.4 lbs. Hooray that's light! In reality, my pack will end up somewhere in between a number like this (15 lbs) and the number I'm at with my current gear (24 lbs). I have no intention of making all the changes I've listed so far, but rather analyzing which changes would give the most bang for my buck.

08/25/15: Doubt

Tarptent ProTrail (source)

Already wanting to change the shelter to a combo tarptent (Tarptent ProTrail, 26.0 oz, $209) for extra weight savings. It's still really cost effective at only $3.50 per oz saved. I went through my list again tonight and ended up at a base weight of about 18.6 lbs, higher than I want. I added a battery pack and updated some quantities and weights, resulting in the higher overall base weight. Downsides to the ProTrail are that it's not as large of a floor area and is not as flexible in that it is a one-piece tarp/bugnet system. Upsides are the weight and ease/speed of setup.

08/25/15: Three

Warbonnet Mamajamba tarp

The Big Three - shelter, sleep system, backpack. These 3 categories hold the greatest potential weight savings. Using only gear I currently have, my shelter (dome tent, tarp, ground sheet) is 5.5 lbs, my sleep system (sleeping bag, sleeping pad) is 4.5 lbs, and my backpack (62L, internal frame) is 3.0 lbs for a total of 13.0 lbs. Upgrading my shelter system could save 47.9 oz, changing from a mummy bag to a lightweight quilt would yield 35.5 oz, and downsizing my backpack might shed another 19.4 oz. A total savings of 6.5 lbs for $530 ($5.10 per oz saved) is a good investment. For comparison, spending $200 to replace my down jacket would save 1 lb, which costs $12 per oz saved (more than double the relative cost of replacing the big three).

My new shelter would consist of my existing tarp (Warbonnet Mamajamba, 18 oz), a Tyvek ground sheet (36 square feet, 7.6 oz), and a new bug shelter (BearPaw Minimalist 2, 15.0 oz, $135). I debated heavily about whether or not to include a full bugnet like the Minimalist 2 in my shelter system. With just a sleeping bag and headnet, I'd be protected from getting bit while sleeping. However, if mosquitoes are heavy where I'll be camping, it would be nice to have a "safe zone" that is big enough to hang out and sit up in. Also, an enclosed bug tent with bathtub floor will keep any crawly bugs at bay (red ants are fairly common on the Oregon stretch). BearPaw also has a single person bug shelter (Minimalist 1, 9.0 oz, $100) which would save another 6.0 oz and $35. Yet the extra space inside the 2-person shelter will be psychologically rewarding and will also allow me to keep all my gear in a bug-free zone. The Tyvek ground sheet will protect the floor of the bug shelter and will also give me a dry place to sleep when the bug net is not needed. I've been using the Mamajamba tarp for a couple years now, both for ground and hammock camping. It pitches very tight and has tons of room underneath it. My only concern is that I won't be able to pitch it high enough to clear the bug shelter using only hiking poles. If it does turn out to be a problem, an easy fix is to tie off to a tree for the high side of the tarp (head end) and use a hiking pole for the low side (foot end).

My current sleep system is a sleeping bag (Ledge Sports Featherlight +20°F mummy bag, 48.4 oz) and an inflatable pad (REI Flash, 16.5 oz). For a reasonable cost, I can save over 2 pounds by switching to an ultralight quilt (Enlightened Enigma 40°F, 12.9 oz, $195). I will use my existing sleeping pad since it's about as light as is available for a full length inflatable pad and is also super comfy. There's about 8 oz to be saved by switching to a foam pad, but as a side sleeper, sleeping for a month straight on a foam pad sounds absolutely terrible.

My backpack (REI Flash 62, 49.4 oz) is considered lightweight in traditional backpacking terms, but there are numerous 60+ liter packs available which offer significant weight-saving potential. I'm also somewhat concerned about the durability of the REI Flash, though I have no evidence to support that sentiment. Regardless, the ULA Ohm 2.0 (29.2 oz, $200) is a tried and true PCT backpack and ULA packs are perhaps the most common on the trail. While there are lighter options, they are somewhat less known brands and tend to be a bit “too light” (I never thought I'd say that). They have less substantial shoulder and hip padding and fewer features that I have deemed necessary (load lifter straps, frame structure, hip belt pockets).

With these new big three items, my base drops to a respectable 17.8 lbs. The longest leg between resupply points is 106.4 miles at a 20 mile/day pace, so the heaviest load I'll carry will be with 5 days of consumables which adds 14.8 lbs (9.8 lbs food, 4.3 lbs water, 11 oz misc/other) for a total maximum pack weight of just 32.5 lbs. Of course, this will rapidly decrease at a rate of almost 3.0 lbs/day, leaving myself with a sub 20 lb pack towards the end of my resupply legs.

08/24/15: Beginning

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, Oregon section (source)

It was about 2 weeks ago when the new engineer started. Ryan interned with our company last summer, starting the week before I did. After graduating this Spring, he thru-hiked 800+ miles through part of Washington, all of Oregon, and into California via the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT). Having been yearning for an adventure, this piqued my interest. The great outdoors, becoming one with my equipment, and the planning; all 3 equally as appealing to me.

Spreadsheets have been made: checklists, wishlists, weight saving ideas, gear comparisons, hiking schedule, resupply notes, calories packed, etc. Each new spreadsheet is more interesting than the last. Of course, I've also updated my normal backpacking checklist with new gear, wishlist gear, new food ideas, and new formatting. I also added the ability to plan a trip for 2 people including weight breakdowns for each person, making splitting/comparing loads very easy. I'm currently using Person 1 as a "current case", using only gear that I have already (24.5 lb base weight). Person 2 is serving as my "ideal case", which includes ideas for new gear to reduce my base weight.

Aside: The process of spreadsheeting the shit out of something begins slowly, but escalates hurriedly. The same thing happened with my new car, my rc car, our emergency supplies, and my shotgun. It almost always starts with a cost comparison, then advances to summarizing research I've done, then evolves into an auto maintenance log, a motor gearing calculator, a go-bag checklist, and an ammo counter.

Base weight is one of the main concerns when planning a thru-hike. It is the weight everything carried in/on your backpack that is not a consumable. It facilitates apples to apples comparisons of pack weight regardless of trip length. Obvious examples of consumables are food, water, and fuel, but I've also categorized things like toothpaste, batteries, hand sanitizer, etc. as consumables. This is as mainly for housekeeping purposes so that when planning my resupplies, I'll reference my list of consumables and remember what to include.

Much of what I document in this journal will be about reducing my base weight, either through replacing "heavy" gear or eliminating gear outright. While initial instinct is to start buying and replacing gear, a large chunk of savings can more easily (and cheaply) be had by eliminating items. This is not to say that anything can be eradicated; the trick is to find a balance between safety and light weight. For example, some items that would typically be brought but have been nixed in the name of weight are a trowel (4.25 oz, for digging poo poo holes), coffee cup (1.5 oz), and pack cover (4.05 oz). I will dig holes with sticks and rocks, drink coffee/tea directly from my cookpot, and pack my sleeping bag and clothes in a lightweight plastic bag to keep them dry.

Another way to save weight is to use items for multiple things. The foam back sheet (1.1 oz) in the ULA Ohm 2.0 backpack can also be used as a sit pad in camp, eliminating the bubble mailer (3.3 oz) I would've brought otherwise. ZPacks makes a clothes stuff sack that has fleece lining sewn on one half of the inside. Flip it inside out and fill with extra clothes to produce a comfy pillow (1.65 oz), eliminating a donut travel pillow (5.5 oz).

To avoid carrying unreasonably heavy loads (the vast majority of which would be food), I'll be resupplying at 4 points along the trail. These equipment resupplies are the heart of long-distance thru-hikes and 2 main strategies exist: buying as you go and shipping packages ahead. I have so far chosen to ship all or most of my resupply packages ahead, mostly due to the fact that stores are not always readily accessible off the trail (some may require 20 mile detours into town, either by walking or hitch hiking). In addition, these stores may or may not have a good selection of backpacker-friendly food (think gas station convenience stores). I've chosen 4 resupply points along the 430 miles (Crater Lake, Shelter Cove Resort, Big Lake Youth Camp, Timberline Lodge). All of these accept and will hold packages for thru-hikers. There's also the possibility of meeting someone on or near the trail who can provide a resupply. I'm hoping I'll be able to meet Kylie and Geoff at some point(s), and hike with them for a few days. While I want to spend the majority of the hike solo, it would be really nice to break up the monotony with some company and a couple slower/shorter days.

Aside from food and fuel, I'm still deciding on what should be in the resupplies. The entire list of consumables includes ibuprofen, bug spray, chapstick, deodorant, moleskin, paper towels, soap, sunscreen, toilet paper, toothpaste, wet wipes, pack liner, batteries, books, groundsheet, maps, sock, and water purification drops. As with most things hiking, there exists another balance: this one between minimizing weight and minimizing inconvenience. From a weight perspective, it would be ideal to carry only enough of the above consumables to last the 5 days until my next resupply. However, not only would it be annoying to have to sift through and refill 20 different things at each resupply, it may be unsafe to cut back on things like Advil or sunscreen.