What packs are you using?

[guthook]

Okay, just because I'm curious, what packs are you all planning on using for the PCT (or have you used in the past)? I've heard the ULA Catalyst is one of the most popular. What else is out there?

I'm kind of curious to see what's the smallest pack you've seen a thru-hiker wearing.... This being so different than the AT.

[garlic08]

I used a fairly heavy-duty (20 oz) frameless pack with removable stays for my PCT hike. I've since started using a very light frameless, stayless silnylon pack (9 oz), but if I needed to hike the High Sierra again (with a bear cannister), I would probably go back to the heavier pack, just for that section. My load exceeded 25 pounds in that section, and my UL pack would not be best for that. My favorite packs are from Gossamer Gear.

So it depends really on your total load. There are some very fast, very experienced hikers (and maybe with some support) who can hike the Sierra with a lighter load and can use a UL pack very well.

You're right about the ULA packs, they're very popular out there, and a great investment for a sturdy, long-lasting pack. They're too heavy and pricey for me, though.

[Spirit Walker]

I use a ULA Catalyst. It carries heavy food and water loads well. Remember, for much of the trail you will be carrying a LOT of water.

[Spirit Walker]

As to lightest pack - I know Wolf just used a daypack. I think his pack weight was about 7 lbs. He is a strong fast hiker (or at least he was before the Army got hold of him and forced him to carry 70 lb packs!)

[Mango]

I'm going with an Osprey Aether 70. It's a lot heavier than the silnylon bags-with-straps, but I think it carries my gear more comfortably. Also, when 10 to 12 lbs are water required in some sections, it seems a heavier-duty pack would be needed. However, the ones who have completed the PCT with UL packs have credibility that I don't. On the AT, several hikers I met had quality problems with Gossamer Gear packs - seams ripping, etc.

[TwoForty]

I carried a ULA Catalyst for both of my longer section hikes. Even for only sections, I encountered a lot of variety so I needed a pack that could handle it all. From 7 liters of water to 10 days of food and a bear can to only 3 days of food and a few liters of water.

I now use a Conduit for shorter hikes in Washington, but that is because I don't encounter as much variety. Sure, the Conduit would have been more ideal for some sections where I used the Catalyst, but I would have suffered in other sections.

I'll never thru, but if I was going to, I'd take the Catalyst for sure.

[FamilyGuy]

Mystery Ranch Trance (2007). But I avoid re-supplies.

[Chance09]

ULA circuit, love it. I was debating buying a Z pack at around 6 oz for the PCT but A i don't think i'd be able to carry a bear canister with it and B i think i'm going to take comfort over lightweight in the pack category.

[sbhikes]

My observations were that most people had either a ULA or a Gossamer Gear Mariposa pack. The smallest pack I saw was a Gossamer Gear Murmur. I used a Gossamer Gear G4. I was so hungry I had to have a big pack to carry all my food.

Now I hike with a ULA Relay. It's so tiny. I just love it! I think ULA makes the best packs.

[guthook]

Interesting. I'm having trouble deciding between my MLD Exodus (frameless, 1 pound or less) and my Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone (frame, 3 pounds +). I'm starting to think I'll take the Nimbus Ozone for the first half of the trail (big water loads, bear canister) and switch to the Exodus once I'm through with that crazy stuff.

But it seems like it would be oh so nice to have the super light Exodus for the whole trail... Probably unlikely though. The upside to using the Nimbus Ozone is that I could say it's been on two thru-hikes!

[frisbeefreek]

Granite Gear Nimbus (48oz) allowed me to carry 42# into the Sierras (my base weight was less than 15#, so it was mostly food). The bear canister fit nicely sideways in the bottom. A bit roomy elsewhere on the trail.

Lots of people used the Granite Gear Vapor Trail (32oz). This will be my first choice if I hike again.

I met a bunch of people who went ultra-light frameless, but didn't have baseweights <10#. They consequently were quite unhappy when they had to load up 5 quarts of water and 5 days of food.

[frisbeefreek]

Couldn't figure out how to edit my post -- I used the Nimbus Ozone. The Vapor Trail is 37oz, but I was able to cut ~4oz of straps and stuff off my Ozone, so I figure a similar amount on the Vapor Trail.

Granite Gear Nimbus (48oz) allowed me to carry 42# into the Sierras (my base weight was less than 15#, so it was mostly food). The bear canister fit nicely sideways in the bottom. A bit roomy elsewhere on the trail.

Lots of people used the Granite Gear Vapor Trail (32oz). This will be my first choice if I hike again.

I met a bunch of people who went ultra-light frameless, but didn't have baseweights <10#. They consequently were quite unhappy when they had to load up 5 quarts of water and 5 days of food.

[Dogwood]

I was thinking like you Guthook, realizing that some parts of the PCT required longer hauls between resupplying or having to carry heavier colder weather clothing and/or gear or hauling more H2O. I got away with using a ULA Conduit almost the whole way, but I have an UL small volume kit. Everyone does not have that. And, at times, like through the Sierras, I was maxed out on carrying wt. for often the first day or two out. So, it's not just a matter of the trail, the PCT, and/or even the section but also the type of kit(wt and volume) you have. Often the most wt and the longest food hauls you will carry for the longest amount of time occurs in the Sierras on the PCT.

Guthook, the only reason I can think of for having a larger pack starting out is for the same thing you are now realizing, water carrying comfort, so in this sense what you might want to be thinking is not necessarily have a larger volumed or heavier pack, but just aim to have a pack that can comfortably carry a slightly heavier wt when carrying water. And, also realize in the Mojave Desert you can often get away with carrying less heavier wt clothing and shelter so it can slightly offset the extra water wt. One other thing about the necessity of hauling water in SoCal. If you get up to date water reports at www.4jeffrey you will be in a much better position to manage how much water you have to carry so you may not be that overloaded with water as often as you think. Add to that an earlier to avg NOBO start date in an avg snowfall yr. and you are more likely to find more water sources and water caches not dry yet. All helps to manage your water wt!

[Doooglas]

Currently a Cloud and a DG3 Crossfire.
As of next week? This

[ARambler]

I saw two Cuban fiber packs with tiny, shared loads. I got a negative review about the abrasion resistance of Cuban. However, one review is not a lot of data, and the packs made it well into WA.

I don't think the typical pct packs were that much lighter than the AT June finishers in 07.

Guthook, the kickoff may be too early if it is a normal snow year.

Rambler

[guthook]

Guthook, the kickoff may be too early if it is a normal snow year.

Rambler

Too early for what?

I'm very tempted to try my frameless MLD Exodus in the beginning of the PCT, but it's probably a safer bet to take the Nimbus Ozone. Who knows though. There's plenty of time to change my mind several times before April.

The folks with the cuben fiber packs you saw... I wonder if they continued using them in the Sierra with bear canisters. Hmm...

[Jester2000]

Osprey Atmos 65. Loved it -- if I hiked the PCT again I'd use the same pack.

[ARambler]

Too early for what?

I'm very tempted to try my frameless MLD Exodus in the beginning of the PCT, but it's probably a safer bet to take the Nimbus Ozone. Who knows though. There's plenty of time to change my mind several times before April.

The folks with the cuben fiber packs you saw... I wonder if they continued using them in the Sierra with bear canisters. Hmm...

I was off topic, but thinking of the big picture. I saw you on the AT in February, doing pretty big miles. If you start before (or at) the kickoff, lighten your load, and hike fast, you will see a lot of snow on Fuller Ridge and in the Sierras (in a normal year). Of course, you do not need to hike as hard as 07. It's way too early to be fixed on the postholer.com SEI
Rambler

[guthook]

I was off topic, but thinking of the big picture. I saw you on the AT in February, doing pretty big miles. If you start before (or at) the kickoff, lighten your load, and hike fast, you will see a lot of snow on Fuller Ridge and in the Sierras (in a normal year). Of course, you do not need to hike as hard as 07. It's way too early to be fixed on the postholer.com SEI
Rambler

Yeah, on the AT I had a set date I had to finish by because I had a job lined up. Not making that mistake again.... I'll be jobless as far as I can tell (not sure if that's good or bad in the long run). Of course, I do have to fly back east for a friend's wedding at the end of June, but I've got some ideas for that so I'll still be pretty flexible. I'm planning on hiking not as hard, but I'll still be going light and starting at the Kickoff.

When were you on the PCT, Rambler? And what's SEI stand for? I still have much to learn

[wandering_bob]

Six Moon Designs Traveler
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=59

Panel loader
3800 cubic inches ( 62 liters )
26 oz frameless or 31 oz with 2 removable aluminum stays in place


Sierra weight with 7 days' food in bear canister and 1 liter of water was 32 pounds.