Tag Archives: backpack

Backpack Choices for a Thru-hike

Here is a run-down of all the popular backpacks on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Also included are a couple pack comparison charts for you, looking at a range of the most common and reasonable packs for normal people. I hope this helps your selection. Please correct any mistakes or omissions in the comments below.

Index

Common Packs Outliers Other Ideas Considerations 55-60L Comparison Chart 65-70L Comparison Chart

Common Backpacks of the PCT

Here is a list of packs that would fall in the expected range seen on average PCT thru-hikers. One sees these being carried happily and successfully on trail, every day.

Osprey – For women the Ariel 55/65 and Aura 50/65 are most popular, and for men the Atmos 50/65 and Exos 58. Ultra-Lightweight Adventure (ULA) – The Catalyst (big),… continue reading

Foot Care for Long-Distance Hikers

Shit isn’t easy on the PCT, and I’m writing now to share things I learned about feet for those of you considering your first long hike. The PCT was my first long hike, and I had my fair share of feet trouble, but I made it. And I learned a lot. And I’m going to share it all with you here.

PCT Gear Review

I was really comfortable with my gear along the Pacific Crest Trail, so I thought I would share it with you, and explain why it worked. Please note beforehand that I purchased all these items with my own money after carefully researching them, and was not given anything for review. The following are my opinions.m

If you look at this photograph with me, I will talk about the items shown, left to right, one row at a time. Click a link to skip forward to that gear item. (more…)

PCT Advice from a 2010 Thru-hiker

I want to share the wonderful advice I got from Thump Thump in 2012 while planning my PCT hike. I met her while bikepacking at Crater Lake. It helped me so much, and it could help you, too!

Hi! It’s awesome that you’re thinking about doing the PCT. I was pretty unconventional, so please take my advice with a few grains of salt.

A lot of the PCT forums were really overwhelming about gear. A lot of really opinionated people, some with experience to back it, ramming stuff down other people’s throats. It really turned me off. I ended up using backcountry.com for a lot of my gear, because I love them and I’m loyal. It might have been better go with all REI so it would have been easier to return things that just weren’t working out for me so well, but that’s reliant on FINDING an REI… continue reading

My name is Caroline (AKA Puppy). Welcome to Little Package.

I've been blogging about this and that since 2000. Travels, food, bicycles, more travels... In 2009 I left an eight year career as a medical/surgical nurse and worked at home, crafting cycling caps instead. In 2013 I hiked the entire 2660-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail, and when I finished I knew the adventure wasn't over. I had been considering the RV life for years, so I bought a 1983 VW Westfalia van to "test the waters" of mobile dwelling. And off I go!

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