the wise words of rob

Posted by Jenna (are you noticing a trend here?)

Our friend, Rob Pudner, hiked the northern part of the PCT last summer. He is the only person I have directly talked to that has hiked (at least part of) the trail (and southbound, nonetheless). When I was up in Vermont the other week I was full of questions. Thankfully he put up with me, and here is some of his great advice:

• Don't bring literature- you wont read it. (Lots of sources advise in bringing that book you have just never been able to get through before, because you will have all the time in the world. But the truth is, if you didn't want to read it before, you definitely wont want to read it by flashlight in your tent...)
• Sacrifice those few ounces of weight for a good sleeping pad (both Rob and the most recent Backpacker Magazine Gear Guide recommend the Therm-a-rest Z-Lite)
• You wont need gators. You will get soaking wet no matter what you are wearing, you might as well just embrace it.
• Carry 3 pairs of wool socks at all time. That way, you can be wearing one, have a (theoretically) dry pair in your pack, and be drying out the wet pair on your pack while you hike...and keep the rotation going.
• Bring all the layers of clothing you have been considering. The beginning of the hike is chilly...and bring a 15 degree bag so you stay toasty at night.
• Hanging water filters are the bomb- invest in one!
• Vitamins are a very good idea.
• Bring your cell phone!

We are really in the final stretch of planning now. We are still researching a few gear items (like a wood-burning stove, a hanging filter, and a 2qt. pot). And I still have a few unanswered questions (like: what is the best way to transport water for filtering and showers, what is the best way to carry peanut butter, and so we need a pack cover?) But other than that...we are almost ready!