Last minute ? - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

just some questions…
i got a t-shirt from smart wool (100% marino wool) would this be safe to hike in or should i just go with 100% polyester/nylon?

i bought a bunch of waterproof stuff sacks…should one of them be designated for my tent?

i am going to line my sleeping bag with a trash compactor bag…should i also put my clothing into large ziploc bags

i want to be able to bring peanut butter…do people bring the entire jar? isn’t that a little heavy?

i have packed tuna and salmon…any opinions on these? i was thinking of putting them into my mac and cheese for dinner?

thanks everyone…i was just getting the last minute jitters

jesse

#2

Good questions. Right, stuff sacks. Depends on your system and where you have your tent (inside or outside your pack) and whether or not you use a pack cover. Personally, I use a pack cover over my pack and my tent is lashed vertically to the back of it (a Vapor Trail), this seems to work. I tried putting the tent in a garbage bag (when i didn’t use a pack cover) but it “sweated” and became damp anyway.

I always put my sleeping bag inside a garbage bag, it’s saved my hide a few times. I also line my pack (before filling it of course) with a sturdy garbage bag, you know, the thicker types. Until now this method has never failed me and everything inside has stayed dry, including those much appreciated dry clothes at the end of a day in the rain.

I’ve carried peanut butter before, mainly for lunch with bagels or something. I can usually polish off one of those squeezy tubes in a few days, they are better for us hickers than the glass jar types.

I’m with you on the tuna/salmon thing. I always carry those foil pouches, whether it be for lunch or to add to my dinner. I also like the fact that you can buy foil packed tuna in a variety of flavors (hickory smoked, zesty lemon and sweet n’spicy). A great substantial addition to an otherwise low nutrient freeze dried meal.

Wish I could help you with the t-shirt deal, I’m sure someone will respond who knows all about it, and more than me about the rest of the stuff.

Good luck!!!

Cheers

Cheers

#3

I wouldn’t bring tuna packs for every dinner. They’re heavy for the amount of calories they contain, so if you carry one for each day your food bag will be heavier than it needs to be. But they’re awesome for adding nutrients, like Cheers said, and I always feel fuller after eating a meal with meat in it than just M&C by itself. I like one meat pack every three days…don’t forget the chicken packs, too (great with Stove Top).

Peanut Butter - I get the small size plastic jar. It’ll last me about a week and it’s easier to find than the tubes. Different consistency, too, but I like the crunch PB.

I line my pack with a compactor bag and have never had a problem with the stuff inside it getting wet. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone using this method and getting wet gear as long as they secured the top well enough.

Just Jeff

#4

Like Jeff, I wouldn’t eat too many of these, but perhaps for different reasons.

First of all, the tuna companies that make those packs use nets that needlessly also catch and kill many other sea animals, such as sea turtles and dolphins.

Plus, recent studies have shown that tuna in particular carry high amounts of mercury, which is passed on right into your blood stream. That stuff is not good for you.

My dad told me once that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Have a great hike!

Tha Wookie

#5

Jesse:You seem to be getting good advice.Tha Wookie is right about the Tuna,I think I would go easy on using it.I pack Salmon in the foil packs some times,it sure breaks up the monotony of some of the meals.I recently tried Shrimp and Crab in foil packs at home, making crab cakes, Etc.I’am looking forward to trying them on a hike.The Crab and Shrimp packs are smaller and lighter also.
As reported,Peanut Butter now comes in plastic containers,much lighter.Ed Garvey,a through hiker,and author,combined Peanut Butter,dried milk and Honey,a perfect protein mix.He called it Appalachian Mix.Try it.
I line my pack with compactor bags and put everything inside the pack and also use a pack cover of silnylon.
Can’t help you on the wool T shirt,I’am allergic to wool,but give it a try,you can always go to poly latter on.

Old&In The Way

#6

Just thought I would add one more thing about peanut butter for all the health nuts (no pun intended).

I just reacently read that peanuts have one of the highest amounts of pesticides in them then any other food grown. So if you can find peanut butter made from organic peanuts and with no added hydrogenated oils it would be worth it. Costco recently had a 2 pack of large organig peanut butter jars for very cheap…

pct06

#7

Jesse-
The lightweight marino wool shirt that you are thinking about can be a great piece of gear. I use a long sleeve version as my main shirt when the temps are in the low 80s F and below. Being as yours is a short sleeve you might be comfortable into the upper 80s F. If I am moving and am wearing a light wind jacket, this can take me all the way down to near freezing. If you stop you must of course put on additional layers. So the real question is where are you hiking and what are the expected day temps? The marino wool has the greatest comfort range for temperature that I’ve seen. Takes several days to build a bad stink also. It’s really great material. Oh, and don’t forget about the foil packs of ground beef. Mix a can of refried beans and generous amount hot sauce, wrap it in a tortilla and its not a bad trailside burrito! The hot sauce is vital as it overpowers the flavor of the foiled beef, which is a bit of an “aquired taste”.

Razor

#8

try Ultralight Joe’s Mosse Goo for a variation on Appalachin Mix. Yummers.

http://www.ultralightbackpacker.com/

Jackalope