Material Concerns: Do you need a bear canister? Yes you do! Half price. We have 3!
- Jenna or Neil
- Nov 10, 2018
- 5 min read
At the moment I literally carry my life on my back and in my mind (except for a bag of clothes I hid under a bed at mum and dad's and my bike which I didn't hide so well).
So what do we carry?
Elemental Trekking Poles: I have no idea if these are "good" or not. We bought the cheapest ones we could get from Wild Earth, $35 each (so, $70 for the pair). They aren't as sleek as some of the ones other people carry, and I have no idea what they weigh, but they have saved my butt time and time again make me feel like a Thun. Using poles seemed silly before this trip...now, I wouldn't hike without them. I think they make you 20% more efficient/powerful*.
Osprey Exos Backpack: I love this bag. It's light and it has compartments to separate things to make it easier to find things and organize things according to frequency of use. Neil thinks it looks cumbersome. Neil likes his ULA Circuit better because his is more "sleek" with no compartments and is orange. Meh. His is less than 1kg mine is 1.2kg.
https://goo.gl/images/uxs4pY
Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad: It is light. It is orange. It is awesome and keeps me off the ground and only weighs 440 grams.
MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 Person Tent: I think this tent is great. We seldom use the fly so we get to watch the stars at night while reading The Magician (until the high Sierras beckoned). It's super quick to set up. Neil thinks it is a bit heavy. It weight just over 1.5 kilograms. I think that's pretty darn light but then again, I don't have to carry it!
Enlightenment Revelation Sleeping Quilt: I had never heard of a sleeping quilt. It's a sleeping bag that can be a blanket or a sleeping bag. It clips, partially zips, and drawstrings rather than fully zipping. You can also cocoon yourself in it at both ends if it is freezing (or you have hypothermia by chance). Worth every cent. Breaking it down into cents per day helps me justify it.
Sea to Summit Sleeping Bag Liner: This helps keep me warm and helps keep my scummy body from touching my prized sleeping quilt.
MSR Cooking System: The science behind this little burner is awesome. Its efficient and looks like a rocket propeller; helping to distribute the heat fast and even. 5 stars.
Shoes: So... the PCT survey states that the average number of shoes worn for the 2600 mile journey is 4.6. I had bought 4 before we had done 1000 miles. Just struggled to find the right fit. So here is what I've tried... all good in their own way.
1. Altra Lone Peak 3.5 - 99% of the trail wears these. I wore them for 2 weeks thinking I had sprained my ankle. I had not, it was the "zero drop" sending my Achilles into turmoil. I hiked in my sandals after this till I got to the next town.
https://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/altra-lone-peak-3.5-womens-trail-running-shoes-pur/AFW1755F-1
2. Merrill something something Ventilators - I bought these off the shelf with zero research in about 5 minutes from a chain store that did not specialise in hiking good. This place could get you high from the smell of plastic. Yet, anything had to be better than the previous show experience. The gamble paid off. Not super padded but they did the job and I'll bring these back to Oz as I only did a few 100 miles in them.
https://www.famousfootwear.com/Mobile/ProductDetail.aspx?originalReferrer=direct&p=90788&pg=1044470&cvo_adid=1044470-90788-9.5W&cvo_campaign=General&cvosrc=cse.GoogleShopping.90788&gclid=CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4ajwENQYrUnu9xvOeHoD6PUDjSYndnAVIRuOY7zoX5A9Iznyt-WfFRoCVuUQAvD_BwE&k_clickid=_k_CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4ajwENQYrUnu9xvOeHoD6PUDjSYndnAVIRuOY7zoX5A9Iznyt-WfFRoCVuUQAvD_BwE_k_&KPID=1044470-90788-9.5W&partnerid=adwordspla
3. BROOKS Cascadia 13 - These were great in the shop. Light weight and comfy. On the trail on instantly got that Achilles pain again in my right foot. So I took out the sole and hiked 500 miles without a sole in my right shoe. Seemed to work, even if I now walk with a limp and shortened calf muscle.
https://www.rei.com/product/133877/brooks-cascadia-13-trail-running-shoes-womens?CAWELAID=120217890005023860&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15997812760&CATCI=aud-363396064924:pla-275944582066&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|404_29263|1338770008|none|57bf9bba-7660-45d7-a3e3-7281a434f097|aud-363396064924:pla-275944582066&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA|404_29263|1338770008|none|57bf9bba-7660-45d7-a3e3-7281a434f097&kclid=57bf9bba-7660-45d7-a3e3-7281a434f097&gclid=CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4UVFn-awrfeuL7-Xr34T1rpaGSOQnB21hx75KLSfSrXPzRN6tdGH5BoCx4sQAvD_BwE
4. La Sportiva Aykya (Mens) - This is not the correct name but something close to this. This is what I am currently wearing. They are great with serious tread and fairly light but heavier than the Cascadia. I feel like the sole will never ever wear out. I have accidentally peed on them many times though but they have limited ventilation on the side so that is good in such moments. These are my pic
of the shoes!
https://www.rei.com/product/110659/la-sportiva-akyra-trail-running-shoes-mens?CAWELAID=120217890003836980&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=15997805560&CATCI=aud-363396065004:pla-449969213729&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|404_169717|1106590005|none|57bf9bba-7660-45d7-a3e3-7281a434f097|aud-363396065004:pla-449969213729&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA|404_169717|1106590005|none|57bf9bba-7660-45d7-a3e3-7281a434f097&kclid=57bf9bba-7660-45d7-a3e3-7281a434f097&gclid=CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4asW5bUlmpCfgX2fhBpM0XnW9zj4ZhDs9uEzFySRw2IF-bbvp4Up8hoCIRsQAvD_BwE
5. Teva Sandals - priceless. Best $140 AUD I have spent. Not really but they saved my Achilles. Super comfy and supportive. I am thinking of sending them forward once we get to the desert to save a few hundred grams in the final desert dash. But will definitely wear them back in Oz. Love them.
https://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/teva-tirra-womens-sandals-plum-truffle/TEVA4266PTRF
6. Sacony trail runners - Okay, but I got what I paid for ($50 USD). But they will do 700 miles. They have to.
https://goo.gl/images/13YpAC
Miscellaneous:
Toothbrush - handle not removed!
Toothpaste - usually small tubes.
Snow spikes: we carried these through Washington. Thank goodness for that! I thought they were an optional extra... not so. For sale if anyone needs some. We have 2 pairs.
Moisturizer. And proud of it. And 3 lip balms located in various easy access locations.
Clothing:
Beanie - found in cupboard.
Memory Walk Cap - from Dementia Australia Memory Jog.
Bandana / wash rag / pee rag - from Katherine Ultra Challenge Team outfit.
Neck Buff - bought in Nepal. I believe I haggled tirelessly for a low price! This has seen me through thick and thin.
2 x merino wool Kathmandu tee shirts (on sale). Amazing. Low smell!
Kathmandu thermal top (on sale)
Raiko Wind jacket - haggled for local brand in Nepal... haggled too much I suspect. Need to know when to quit.
Black Diamond Wind/Rain Jacket with hood. Found out this IS NOT water proof so I bought a White Seirra raid jacket on sale in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Crop top bamboo fiber - gave up on needing this but still carry it.
3 x Kathmandu lightweight undies
Marmot long hiking pants - lovely anand comfortable but now don't fit.
Champion leggings - were below knee but cut now to short shorts. Saving weight!
2XU thermal full length leggings - I wear these every day!
2XU tights with shorts - weigh a million pounds... have sent on for future Jen to deal with... currently in my cutoffs.
2XU compression socks - ankles ate good but long pair are too tight to get on!
Wigwam socks - great, but wore them out :(
Injinju toe socks - fabulous. Keeps toe jam at bay. I wore them for 7 days straight to avoid dealing with how gross my feet were.
Icebreaker gloves - I'm sure they are great in warmer seasons. Not 4 season gloves. But lovely to wear.
Just Jean's checkered long sleeve cotton shirt.
Other random long sleeve running shirt.
I carry 5 shirts which I realise is severe overkill. But hey, we made it this far!
Sawyer Squeeze System - we picked this up in Oregon after gastro struck. It was always our plan to start filtering water in Oregon.
Critter Proof Food Bag / Bear bags/ Bear canister - we are looking to sell these. So if anyone wants them send me an email! The critter bag is great, dusty but in great condition otherwise.
Cup - part of the MSR cooking system.
Fork and spoon - plastic from REI.
Medication and shampoo and razor and nail file and nail clippers and face wipes and show laces and other ranom crap I dont need.
*I made that up. But feels true.
Plus food and 3L water and phone and mp3 player.
No idea how it all fits.
Stay safe.
J x
Kommentare