Talking to a thru-hiker on the PCT changed my mind about ultralight gear

Honestly, I always thought ultralight backpacking was overhyped and you were just sacrificing comfort for a few ounces. But I met this guy named Mark near mile 150 on the Pacific Crest Trail last June, and he told me his base weight was under 8 pounds. He said he could hike 30 miles a day without knee pain because his pack wasn't dragging him down. It hit different hearing it from someone who actually did the whole trail, not just a blogger. Has anyone else had their opinion flipped by talking to someone on a long trail?

2 comments

2 Comments

wright.cole24d ago

Gotta admit, I used to be that guy with a 50 pound pack for a weekend trip. Met a dude on the Appalachian Trail who was hiking in running shoes and carrying what looked like a lunchbox on his back. Made me feel like a total rookie.

fiona_scott4424d ago

Mark surely wasn't wearing running shoes, he was in trail runners like most PCT hikers are.