My wife and I were just talking about your trip and had a question related to gear. You shipped a bunch of stuff back and forth. Have you analyzed your shipping costs vs just buying things locally? Is shipping stuff back and forth worth it?
I carried a 20 degree quilt. Was nervous about that so I added Enlightened Equipment down pants and had of course, my puffy. Slept in those a very few nights. Mostly the 25 degree was fine.
I have the same pack but it’s the 46l one. I got mine made in the xpac material. Did some nasty bushwhacking with it. Still looks brand new. Not even a scuff mark.
I use a ursack and a odor proof liner. I live in Washington I hike in the Cascades all year long. That’s what I use on a backpacking trip never fails. I mainly use it because of the mice not the bears.
*BV 475 Is the bear can you have. It isn't on the approved list but it is a non-issue when it is the exact same as the others in the Bear Vault line other than capacity. And not on the approved only because it is new and regulatory bodies are slow to update that stuff.
Good advice about the nylofume. I did that for the JMT, liner and groundsheet. Didn’t hold up. Didn’t need it to, if I did it would have been an issue.
Awesome, thanks for the breakdown of your gear. I really like the analysis of the Light AF backpack. I'm looking at that pack and I appreciate your honest opinion about the material the pack was made out of. I definitely want load lifters so I'd probably go with the 46L. Any idea what your max weight was on the trip?
Try sleeping on your tensor ON your mattress. I do it and I sleep way better. I'm thinking of getting a double for my bed so the dogs fit on it too. My rapide has held up over at least 150 nights and with my dogs walking on it..I keep it covered, but one of them dug on it during a storm a bit, but it's still fine. They are 40 pound dogs...a bit larger than beagles. One is a beagle-heeler. I also listen to stuff like outdoor disasters to go to sleep. It's super common, apparently, with insomniacs, but you could do nature docs, too. Listening to and matching my boyfriend's breathing helped when I couldn't have the TV on. Try not drinking caffeine after noon. Try drinking coffee before bed. Hot coffee before bed is my favorite thing when camping. Just try it on a weekend so that if it doesn't work, you're not all sleep deprived at work the next day. Thanks for this.
Have had Nothing but problems out of Nemo sleeping pads. Always their valves. And they don’t hold up to their warranty. Disappointing because they Are comfy.
My wife and I were just talking about your trip and had a question related to gear. You shipped a bunch of stuff back and forth. Have you analyzed your shipping costs vs just buying things locally? Is shipping stuff back and forth worth it?
I am a huge fan of the VX21 my SMD Swift X is made of. Not the lightest material but it very good when it comes to abrasion resistance.
Excellent review Jason. 👍
I carried a 20 degree quilt. Was nervous about that so I added Enlightened Equipment down pants and had of course, my puffy. Slept in those a very few nights. Mostly the 25 degree was fine.
Ecopak is well known to be less resiliant to abrasion than ultra, hence its cheaper
I have the same pack but it’s the 46l one. I got mine made in the xpac material. Did some nasty bushwhacking with it. Still looks brand new. Not even a scuff mark.
I use a ursack and a odor proof liner. I live in Washington I hike in the Cascades all year long. That’s what I use on a backpacking trip never fails. I mainly use it because of the mice not the bears.
*BV 475 Is the bear can you have.
It isn't on the approved list but it is a non-issue when it is the exact same as the others in the Bear Vault line other than capacity. And not on the approved only because it is new and regulatory bodies are slow to update that stuff.
Good advice about the nylofume. I did that for the JMT, liner and groundsheet. Didn’t hold up. Didn’t need it to, if I did it would have been an issue.
Use a file to refurbish your stakes😮
It's 10 seconds on a grinder and sharper than new
Awesome, thanks for the breakdown of your gear. I really like the analysis of the Light AF backpack. I'm looking at that pack and I appreciate your honest opinion about the material the pack was made out of. I definitely want load lifters so I'd probably go with the 46L. Any idea what your max weight was on the trip?
Thank you so much for all of this useful information. On your entire PCT hike, how many times did it rain on you?
I love Ultra material. Maybe the issue is that yours is recycled ? I have two ultra packs with two different companies. Both are great.
Wondering, will you carry a hammock when you go back in 2026 or stick with the tent?
You didn’t have any condensation problems with your tent?
Try sleeping on your tensor ON your mattress. I do it and I sleep way better. I'm thinking of getting a double for my bed so the dogs fit on it too. My rapide has held up over at least 150 nights and with my dogs walking on it..I keep it covered, but one of them dug on it during a storm a bit, but it's still fine. They are 40 pound dogs...a bit larger than beagles. One is a beagle-heeler.
I also listen to stuff like outdoor disasters to go to sleep. It's super common, apparently, with insomniacs, but you could do nature docs, too. Listening to and matching my boyfriend's breathing helped when I couldn't have the TV on.
Try not drinking caffeine after noon. Try drinking coffee before bed. Hot coffee before bed is my favorite thing when camping. Just try it on a weekend so that if it doesn't work, you're not all sleep deprived at work the next day.
Thanks for this.
What's up frozen?
What up dog? Any plans in the future of hitting the Cranberry area in WV again?
Have had Nothing but problems out of Nemo sleeping pads. Always their valves. And they don’t hold up to their warranty. Disappointing because they Are comfy.