OK, so this is kinda late to be asking as I’m leaving tomorrow, but I was wondering whether its worth carrying any of these items (I have all 3)
Flip flops
Mosquito Head Net
Packcover
Should I wait till the Sierras to send my headnet? Should I wait for Washington for the pack cover and just use a garbage bag for the inside of my pack? I know it can storm in SoCal, but this is pretty rare, no?
Thanks
A-Train
FLIP FLOPS — if you’ve used and liked camp shoes in the past, you’ll like them on the PCT, too. However, if you plan on taking your shoes of for fords, flip flops are NOT good fording shoes.
MOSQUITO HEAD NET — yep, carry it from day one. You might not use it until the Sierra, but what does it weigh? one ounce? In 2001, we had bad bugs as far south as Cajon Pass. In 2002 and 2003, the bugs didn’t appear until about a day north of Kennedy Meadows. It depends upon when the snow melts.
PACK COVER — like with the flip flops, do what you’ve done in the past. In normal years, it doesn’t rain much in SoCal. But it rained a lot in 2003 and 2004. Do you want your stuff to get wet? If the garbage bag keeps your stuff dry, then don’t use the pack cover.
You leave tomorrow. I’m jealous!!
yogi
yogi
I was sure you were leaving later in the season? Guess I won’t be seeing you, I’m not going out until sometime in May.
Tunnel
Yogi-Thanks a lot for the info. Helpful as always, like your guide (which I’m currently tearing apart).
Tunnel-I fly to the west coast tomorrow, but don’t start hiking for two weeks. I’l be checking out Seattle, San Fran and LA, visiting friends. I start probably May 2-3. Hope to see you out there. I ended up buying a Versalite and Merrell Overdrives also!
A-Train
That mosquito head net keeps out more than just mosquitos. So. Cal has these INSANE little eye flies whos only reason for existance is to get inside your head. Any place with Black Oaks. I hiked plenty with the head net on down south (04’) just to keep my sanity.
Little John
I would be starting about the same dayu as you if not for the thing I am going to in West VA this week.
I plan on being on the trail by the 7th or 8th…see ya out there…at KM more then likely judging by the snow reports.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOGGIES!:pimp
Lion King
What is it you’re bringing the flip flops for? I found crocs to be a better ‘camp shoe’ - they’re lighter and sock compatable on chilly evening. They’re bulkier than flops, but tieing a loop of cord through the toes makes them easy to clip onto your pack.
Tumblina
A cheap pair of men’s flipflops (often found in the drug store) weighs 6oz a pair of men’s crocs weighs 12 oz (as weighed on a scale. Tevas are another ball of wax)
Go with the flip flops. Lighter, less expensive, less bulky.
Paul Mags
Another option to sandals are those snug fitting water shoes (a brand name escapes me - water socks?). You know the ones I mean? Often made of neoprene, with a thin rubber sole, I found them to be a very comfortable camp shoe during my thru-hike. They are light-weigh, tiny, compact and very helpful for fording swift/rocky streams (a job that neither sandals or crocks were made for). I used my pair regularly from Campo to Canada.
-Toaster
Toaster
Back to the original question–carry the mosquito headnet–forget the heavy footwear! If you come to a water crossing, take off your socks, take out your insoles, cross the creek/river/whatever. When you get to camp, take off your shoes & socks, take out the insoles, put yours shoes back on w/o insoles & socks and wear them–or go barefoot whenever you can. If this strategy doesn’t work, you may have selected the wrong shoes. Don’t carry anything that you can possibly do without!
WILDCAT