Despite having rather speedy 4G access in most towns, I have been finding it extremely difficult to write anything on the iPhone. Simply is not a big enough screen with the keyboard to make writing enjoyable. One of those times when I wonder how an iPad Mini would hold up. For the most part, I am writing these blog posts whenever I get to a town that has a library. Alas, library internet is not overly fast and all the computers are using an old version of Internet Explorer by default. So, I have been downloading Chrome to make the whole writing situation more palatable. That takes a while with the connection speed and then in no time my time is up. Thus, these entries are written quickly and with very little proof reading. Anyhoo...here are a few updates regarding the gear I have been using.
Tarptent Contrail.
With such a lightweight and seemingly easy setup, I really thought I would love this tent for my first attempts at both doing a thru-hike and going ultralight. Alas, no. The desert regions have had rather strong winds and at times difficult ground (too hard, too sandy). Since the tent is not freestanding, it has been extremely difficult making it robust enough to survive a night of high winds. At Whitewater Creek, when the front containing a thunderstorm started coming in, my tent collapsed twice, despite staking it AND using a copious amount of rocks to reinforce the stakes. When you stop wanting to set up your tent at all and just cowboy camp every night, that is a problem. So, I threw in the towel and have ordered a new tent, Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1, from REI. It is a bit heavier, but it is freestanding and has been praised by other hikers on the trail.
Brooks Cascadia 8 Shoes.
Love these shoes. When I was testing shoes prior to the hiker, I always seemed to get sore feet after 8 or 10 miles. Not with these. I have done a 28 mile day in the desert heat and my feet were not sore afterwards. They may not be able to survive as much punishment as more dedicated hiking shoes though. Around mile 340, I noticed that the tread was loose and there were tiny holes where the end of my pinky toe ends. Thankfully, at Cajon Junction, a fellow hiker, Dingo, rented a car and we took a trip to REI (two hour trip because of a brush fire that closed the interstate and caused a massive traffic snarl).
REI, to their credit, replaced the shoes but with a stern look and voice informing me that these shoes were not meant for this manner of activity. We shall see if this pair survives the next 300-500 miles or if the PCT abuses it too much. Even if I have to replace them every 350 miles, I think I will stick with them, they are simply too light and comfortable.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Backpack.
Solid. Light, perfect size, and so far standing up to the abuse. I have put one hole into its big mesh pocket, but that was a sharp trekking pole. One of the hip pouch zippers seems to be coming loose, but I think I can fix that up without any problem. The removal sit pad is genius. I had my doubts, but I use it multiple times a day.
ZPacks 900 Fill Power Down, 20 degree Sleeping Bag.
This one is tough. While up at Coon Creek Cabin, at over 8000 feet, the temperature dropped to at least 15 degrees Fahrenheit. I was perfectly cozy in this bag with my long underwear on and a hat. However, on those nights when the desert only cools to a balmy 58 degrees Fahrenheit, this bag is much much too warm. After hiking 20+ miles and eating a solid dinner, my legs seem to radiate ungodly amounts of heat. I have taken to putting on my sleeping clothes and using the sleeping bag as a blanket only for my top. This is not really the fault of the bag, but I do miss having a full length zipper so I can better free my legs to the night air while keeping my torso comfortable.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter.
This filter works well. It works really well. Having seen how much people love the inline Sawyer filter for their CamelBaks is having me contemplating a switch. It only takes probably 5-7 minutes to make all the water I will need for a long stretch, but it is not as convenient as simply being able to empty the water into your hydration bladder and go. No worries, virtually no effort. Hard to not desire that a bit. The REI we went to from Cajon Junction did not have the inline adapter in stock, but if I see it later on I might impulse buy it.
KEEN Socks.
More details about this will come a bit later. The Smartwool socks I started with did not survive much past two weeks; holes in the heels. The KEEN socks arrived 10 days in and 16 days in. They seem to be surviving, but thinning a bit in the heels and balls of my feet. We shall see how they survive the next two weeks.
Everything Else.
Those are the major items. Will have more likely later, but otherwise by gear is living up perfectly to my expectations. Two things I seem to be constantly low on is duct tape and blister bandaids. Even with airing out of my feet a few times a day and changing into dry (and maybe recently rinsed) socks, I seem to develop a hot spot or blister every few days. My feet are slowly recovering/thickening but the desert is a harsh mistress.