Sounds like you've got it really dialed in! Super impressive :) I'm just starting the arduous process of shaking down my gear, I'm a beginner and on a budget so been upgrading piecemeal and finding clever (or not so clever sometimes lol) workarounds, and had to fight my natural instinct to take a gazillion "just in case" items... (I'm a medic so the full first aid kit was especially painful to lose!!!) I'm based in the UK so not thru hiking anything as long or challenging as the long trails in the US like the PCT, although the UK brings its own unique gear challenges (mostly of the soggy variety) and Scotland especially has some pretty unique and challenging wilderness hikes. I'm hoping to do the Welsh Coastal Path this year (870 miles) - I won't be out in the wilderness in quite the same way you guys are, no rattlesnakes or bears to worry about, but Wales can be pretty rugged and isolated, with mountainous regions and long stretches with very sparse habitation and few hikers, and it's a really gorgeous path - and it's my first big thru-hike (most I've done is around 50 miles) so I'm pumped/terrified! It's my dream to one day thru-hike the PCT, hoping one day I'll be able to afford to do it as an international hiker... In the meantime I'll be following you along and living vicariously through you and all the other hiker-vloggers, hope it gies well for you :D
@@quakingleaf Brilliant! Trail name accepted and I’ve been using the last several days - multiple great meanings rooted in one of the most amazing water park experiences in its short-lived existence!
Haven't seen your channel before, but this was one of the most well considered high snow year gear lists I've seen. Glad to hear you're getting your ice axe before San Jacinto. I hiked the PCT in a high snow level year and the conditions where dangerous in some spots before Idyllwild, even with a May 1st start from the border and fairly low miles the first weeks. I'm curious about the Petzl crampons. I've never used "real" crampons on sneakers/trail runners. I've tried four spike instep crampons and a number of micro spikes though. The instep crampons worked marginally because I couldn't get them to fit well enough to feel secure. Some micro spikes have worked really well though, and some come off when I've get too much sideways pressure. My question about your crampons is how secure you get them on trail runners and if you get a lot of pressure on your toes/heels when you tighten them (enough)? And good luck with your thruhike!
Thank you- I really appreciate that! Re: Petzl Leopard FL crampons- I switch to stiffer shoes for the snow sections, but these Petzls are very secure. I’ve also used insteps, front crampons, and microspikes before, and I’m very impressed with these so far. Aluminum means they’ll not be durable on rock or gravel, but I think I’m going to see lots of continuous snow on this trip. Good luck on the PCT!!!
Have a great hike - certainly not a budget setup, but you’ve definitely got all the bases covered IMHO. I’m curious to see how the altiplex works in the snow, since I’ve never tried that with mine, and if the torrid is warm enough in camp - I’ll stay tuned! -G
That is very very light, and expensive! Hope you didnt suffer too much with sleeping pad holes, brittle hiking poles snapping or lack of rain protection. One thing I have noticed with the ultralight backpacking movement is that people dont seem to put any attention into lowering the weight of their smartphones or electronics in general. I have an old smartphone which is 135 grams / 4.76 ounces and this does the job when I put it on airplane mode -- the battery lasts for a long time (especially when I am out in the woods to get away from electronics and use it very rarely). The iphone 13 is 204 g / 7.195 ounces. I also have that lightweight flashlight, but I dont really think you need it if you use the daylight properly and the light from your smartphone in emergencies. Heck, your eyes even adjust to the darkness if you dont flare them up with artificial light all the time. I guess, to each their own, but my backpacking philosophy is to get away from all the complicated things.
Would love to see a post-hike gear review of your pct hike. How did you like the far point alpha pants? They basically look like a mesh layer (in a good way).
oooohhh now i'm interested in those socks you selected instead of the injinjjinnjjii brand :) looking forward to following along. 2024 for me and my daughter..
Probably one of the better considered kits I’ve seen. Would like to know more about your cold soaking options. Also, who makes your down balaclava? Thanks.
Thanks for the video really appreciate your time and effort, what are your thoughts on the Palanta Desert pack for the Sierras with a Bear Canister? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Top-notch. Never seen a better setup on YT. What is your opinion on micro-spikes? BD-Blitz have no heel traction, love the weight though. Procured ECO's, but they rotate around shoes and collect snow. Wasn't happy with them. Can't find ShakeDry in 56"-chest, that's an amazing jacket. Wish you luck, maybe see you out there?
Thanks! I chose the Blitz for weight so I’ll carry them much if the way for surprise moments. When it’s serious, I’ll have the crampons. I’ve used front spikes before and found it worked fine, but you give up a bit on the downhill. I think the full BD spikes would be better overall when that’s all you have.
To each his won but for 5 more pounds I rather have a bit more comfort over several months. A 10 pound pack is good for weekend but for me not for a thru hike. I can't see myself cold soaking for months on end. However it it works for you then great! I am hiking in 24 we share some gear. I went to a zero degree quilt from enlightened equipment and have a bit more insulation in my pad. I know you went in 23 and interested in how your comfort level during sleep.
Sounds good- hike the way you like. 👍🏼 I was very comfy at night. A 10deg quilt was a bit warm sometimes, but great in chilly nights (I’m a cold sleeper). The Uberlite pad in long/wide was very comfy. I slept well the whole trip. I didn’t switch to traditional weights for San Jacinto- I only added an ace, crampons, and a stove for a few days, then switched back. I had a very different kit for the Sierra, where we hiked and slept in snow the whole time. If you want to see changes I made, I have a 1200 mile gear check-in video. Have an incredible hike!
This might be a very stupid question 😅. But i just ordered a Pa’lante desert pack 19 and I wanted to verify that I received the correct size (17 or 19). Is there a label I’m missing? 🤣 can’t find anything that says what size it is. Measured the back at around 17.5. Not sure. Thanks 👍
Good question. The wind shirt is much more breathable, and it is a great match for an AlphaDirect hoodie. I’ve used that hoodie and wind shirt in combo almost every day of my trip. The. Rain jacket would have been much sweatier with that hoodie.
I did a lot of day hikes with a full pack- usually hiking home from work with as much climbing as possible- building to 10-12 miles, a few times a week. I did some backpacking too, as well as core workouts and stretching.
My base weight was 10 pounds for most of the trip. I used an xterm for San Jacinto and the Sierra only. My xterm (regular) is 3.5 oz more than my Uberlite (large), so 10lb 3.5oz if one were to make that change. I only did this when I knew I would be camping on snow.
I didn’t use a stove for most of the trip, but I did use one for the Sierra and when hiking with my daughter. I used a BRS stove and small canister that I refilled.
Jaunty delivery. Comprehensive and informative. Hope the hike goes well. Hope the mental game of missing your family is not a draining factor. 🙏
Thanks!
I can tell that you’re so stoked, have a great time out there!
Thank you!
So so so happy you’re filming 4K HDR! Please do this on the trail! I’ll be watching you on a LG OLED 77 inch 4K tv. -don from Lorain Ohio USA 🇺🇸
Will do! Thanks for watching!
Thru brought to you by Garage Grown Gear! Love to see it!
Some from GGG- true! I love that they focus on small, cottage companies. 👍🏼
Sounds like you've got it really dialed in! Super impressive :)
I'm just starting the arduous process of shaking down my gear, I'm a beginner and on a budget so been upgrading piecemeal and finding clever (or not so clever sometimes lol) workarounds, and had to fight my natural instinct to take a gazillion "just in case" items... (I'm a medic so the full first aid kit was especially painful to lose!!!)
I'm based in the UK so not thru hiking anything as long or challenging as the long trails in the US like the PCT, although the UK brings its own unique gear challenges (mostly of the soggy variety) and Scotland especially has some pretty unique and challenging wilderness hikes.
I'm hoping to do the Welsh Coastal Path this year (870 miles) - I won't be out in the wilderness in quite the same way you guys are, no rattlesnakes or bears to worry about, but Wales can be pretty rugged and isolated, with mountainous regions and long stretches with very sparse habitation and few hikers, and it's a really gorgeous path - and it's my first big thru-hike (most I've done is around 50 miles) so I'm pumped/terrified!
It's my dream to one day thru-hike the PCT, hoping one day I'll be able to afford to do it as an international hiker... In the meantime I'll be following you along and living vicariously through you and all the other hiker-vloggers, hope it gies well for you :D
Thank you! Have a great experience on your treks as well!
Great gear list! Thank you in particular for that snow gear list, great to see that there are lightweight options there too! :)
Thank you!
Best of luck on the PCT! Awesome weight on your gear. Great choices. New follower here. Crow✌️
Thanks and welcome!
You know your watches! Great pick, I also still rock the Casio F-91W
Great choice!
Great gear selection!
See ya on the trail!
Thanks! You too!
This is amazing stuff! Great to meet you on the trail yesterday Quaking Leaf!
So cool to meet you too, Brian. Great talking about old Issaquah. I give you the trail name Black Hole. Take it if you like!
@@quakingleaf Brilliant! Trail name accepted and I’ve been using the last several days - multiple great meanings rooted in one of the most amazing water park experiences in its short-lived existence!
great video! Best of luck on the trail
Thank you!
Haven't seen your channel before, but this was one of the most well considered high snow year gear lists I've seen. Glad to hear you're getting your ice axe before San Jacinto. I hiked the PCT in a high snow level year and the conditions where dangerous in some spots before Idyllwild, even with a May 1st start from the border and fairly low miles the first weeks.
I'm curious about the Petzl crampons. I've never used "real" crampons on sneakers/trail runners. I've tried four spike instep crampons and a number of micro spikes though. The instep crampons worked marginally because I couldn't get them to fit well enough to feel secure. Some micro spikes have worked really well though, and some come off when I've get too much sideways pressure. My question about your crampons is how secure you get them on trail runners and if you get a lot of pressure on your toes/heels when you tighten them (enough)?
And good luck with your thruhike!
Thank you- I really appreciate that!
Re: Petzl Leopard FL crampons- I switch to stiffer shoes for the snow sections, but these Petzls are very secure. I’ve also used insteps, front crampons, and microspikes before, and I’m very impressed with these so far. Aluminum means they’ll not be durable on rock or gravel, but I think I’m going to see lots of continuous snow on this trip.
Good luck on the PCT!!!
Have a great hike - certainly not a budget setup, but you’ve definitely got all the bases covered IMHO. I’m curious to see how the altiplex works in the snow, since I’ve never tried that with mine, and if the torrid is warm enough in camp - I’ll stay tuned! -G
Thanks John! I also haven’t tried the Altaplex in the snow. Not your ideal winter tent, but I’m betting it will be okay. Stay tuned!
I love my Holey Hiker Bidet. Hope you have success with it as well.
I’m learning! Thanks!
That is very very light, and expensive! Hope you didnt suffer too much with sleeping pad holes, brittle hiking poles snapping or lack of rain protection.
One thing I have noticed with the ultralight backpacking movement is that people dont seem to put any attention into lowering the weight of their smartphones or electronics in general. I have an old smartphone which is 135 grams / 4.76 ounces and this does the job when I put it on airplane mode -- the battery lasts for a long time (especially when I am out in the woods to get away from electronics and use it very rarely). The iphone 13 is 204 g / 7.195 ounces. I also have that lightweight flashlight, but I dont really think you need it if you use the daylight properly and the light from your smartphone in emergencies. Heck, your eyes even adjust to the darkness if you dont flare them up with artificial light all the time.
I guess, to each their own, but my backpacking philosophy is to get away from all the complicated things.
Great video and info
Thanks!
Would love to see a post-hike gear review of your pct hike. How did you like the far point alpha pants? They basically look like a mesh layer (in a good way).
oooohhh now i'm interested in those socks you selected instead of the injinjjinnjjii brand :) looking forward to following along. 2024 for me and my daughter..
Right on! My daughter and I have been dreaming about this for years. So excited for both of us!
@@quakingleaf oh yes I was so excited that she is planning to join you up trail to hike with you to Canada. That’s awesome!!!
Yes, everybody is looking for something more durable than injinji.
Probably one of the better considered kits I’ve seen. Would like to know more about your cold soaking options. Also, who makes your down balaclava? Thanks.
Thank you!
I mostly cold-soaked ramen and instant mashed potatoes. Nothing very interesting!
The down balaclava is a Chinese AliExpress special.
Thanks for the video really appreciate your time and effort, what are your thoughts on the Palanta Desert pack for the Sierras with a Bear Canister? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Top-notch. Never seen a better setup on YT. What is your opinion on micro-spikes? BD-Blitz have no heel traction, love the weight though. Procured ECO's, but they rotate around shoes and collect snow. Wasn't happy with them. Can't find ShakeDry in 56"-chest, that's an amazing jacket. Wish you luck, maybe see you out there?
Thanks! I chose the Blitz for weight so I’ll carry them much if the way for surprise moments. When it’s serious, I’ll have the crampons. I’ve used front spikes before and found it worked fine, but you give up a bit on the downhill. I think the full BD spikes would be better overall when that’s all you have.
To each his won but for 5 more pounds I rather have a bit more comfort over several months. A 10 pound pack is good for weekend but for me not for a thru hike. I can't see myself cold soaking for months on end. However it it works for you then great!
I am hiking in 24 we share some gear. I went to a zero degree quilt from enlightened equipment and have a bit more insulation in my pad.
I know you went in 23 and interested in how your comfort level during sleep.
Oh i see,. He is switching to a more traditional weight at PV. I was so confused! I had to watch till the end.
Sounds good- hike the way you like. 👍🏼
I was very comfy at night. A 10deg quilt was a bit warm sometimes, but great in chilly nights (I’m a cold sleeper). The Uberlite pad in long/wide was very comfy. I slept well the whole trip.
I didn’t switch to traditional weights for San Jacinto- I only added an ace, crampons, and a stove for a few days, then switched back. I had a very different kit for the Sierra, where we hiked and slept in snow the whole time.
If you want to see changes I made, I have a 1200 mile gear check-in video.
Have an incredible hike!
Some unusual brands along with the big brands. I like your organizational skills.
Thank you!
This might be a very stupid question 😅. But i just ordered a Pa’lante desert pack 19 and I wanted to verify that I received the correct size (17 or 19). Is there a label I’m missing? 🤣 can’t find anything that says what size it is. Measured the back at around 17.5. Not sure. Thanks 👍
Mine is a 19” and measures just under 18”, seam to seam. I think you have the right one!
@@quakingleaf appreciate the reply! Good to know. Kinda crazy that there isn’t any label . 🤣
Nice video for sure. Don't you have a hood on your Torrid jacket that would double as a sleep hood?
Yes- 4 hoods in all. But for cold weather and a hoodless quilt, a more substantial hood makes a big difference. At least for this cold sleeper. 😁
why do you bring an extra windshirt when you could just use your rainjacket?
Good question. The wind shirt is much more breathable, and it is a great match for an AlphaDirect hoodie. I’ve used that hoodie and wind shirt in combo almost every day of my trip. The. Rain jacket would have been much sweatier with that hoodie.
What does your training entail and how long has it taken to prepare?
I did a lot of day hikes with a full pack- usually hiking home from work with as much climbing as possible- building to 10-12 miles, a few times a week. I did some backpacking too, as well as core workouts and stretching.
@@quakingleaf I like your attitude/style.
What was your total base weight with all your gear except the ice axe, crampons, and bear can? Using your Xtherm pad not uberlite.
My base weight was 10 pounds for most of the trip. I used an xterm for San Jacinto and the Sierra only.
My xterm (regular) is 3.5 oz more than my Uberlite (large), so 10lb 3.5oz if one were to make that change. I only did this when I knew I would be camping on snow.
Showwd us the stove, but no fuel ???
I didn’t use a stove for most of the trip, but I did use one for the Sierra and when hiking with my daughter. I used a BRS stove and small canister that I refilled.
Do you use a tyvek sheet for under sleep pad
No. I used a short section of 1/8” foam under my air pad.
so sorry... what's the brand of those reading glasses?
Sure! They are Nooz armless readers.
Where is you bear can going ?
My Plan A is for it to go inside the pack. It fits vertically. Tent may need to go outside. Plan B- it straps to the top. We’ll see!
No rain jacket?
Yes- it's at 15:23
what is the cost of all of this gear?
Sorry- no idea. Some is new for the trip but I’ve had a lot of it for years.
I wouldat least 2
Grand ya gotta think over a thousand for the pack sleeping bag /
Sleeping pad