PCT Gear Shakedown from Calendar-Year Triple Crown Hiker Tyler "The Prodigy" Lau

[@PhoenixGenesis]

Luke, this is my 5th year going on the PCT and I want to let you know that your 10F EE 950 quilt is perfect for the PCT. I actually got the same one, same color this year as I was always cold in my expensive 20F WM quilt. My Polycro was torn to shreds in the Anza-Borrego Desert and it was a dust magnet. I prefer those space blankets you can get for free at any marathon. The silver side adds extra warmth and dries out your quilt and clothes faster. Bring some oaracord for a clothes line. I also use it to hang small items at night like my headlamp and watch, glasses, etc. Sun gloves are useless. Better to get a pair of fingerless Nike gloves with thick pads. You will use your hands to climb, build emergency shelters in storms, and carry firewood, large rocks, etc. Anti-histamine pills saved my life in 2017 when I was stung by 40 bees at a horse trough. Lastly, as to layering, I would just put on my wind jacket around camp in the morning and I was warm. It’s so warm here in SoCal now that I hiked in t-shirt and shorts this morning. You don’t need to carry that much water if you are strategic with your hiking times - siesta midday and hike earlier and later. Did lots of night hiking last year in section A and saw some amazing stuff. You are going to have a great time.

[@trailgoodsco]

That makes me really happy to hear. I tossed around the decision to go 10 degree over 20 for a long while. Ultimately it came down to me knowing that I can always throw a sleeping bag off me to cool off but its a lot harder to get warm when you don't have any extra insulation being carried to warm up with. I live and hiked around Los Angeles for almost 12 years as well! Haven't been down to Section A at all though. Thanks for the thoughtful comment and I really look forward to sharing more videos as the time draws nearer. Happy hiking season!

[@Aimsport-video]

uber enthusiasm meets uber experience and goodness happens. very nice vid!

[@trailgoodsco]

hey thanks so much I appreciate it!

[@Reese842]

Test out the sawyer a week before you leave if its brand new, so you know it pushes water through. I had a defective one last year.

[@trailgoodsco]

Great advice! I'm one of the Sawyer Ambassadors! sorry to hear that happened to you! I've gotten some good use out of it already!

[@Reese842]

@@trailgoodsco yea, my first day on the AT ... but a family member brought out my extra one that everyone should have just in case. They crack sometimes from dropping so yea, being proactive is better than reactive.

[@rolfdenver]

Really great info - not just on gear but also general hiking tips. Thank you!

[@trailgoodsco]

rolfdenver hey thanks so much! Tyler is just so knowledgeable I think we could have talked for hours! Appreciate you taking the time to comment!

[@duanehundley]

Hello Luke, I used the blue zpacks stakes in 17 when I got them from pct days right when I met Tyler. The stakes are lighter than mini groundhogs but they can bend. You can bend them back though. I ended up using 2 mini groundhog stakes. One for each door. You want a strong stake for the door. They will not bend and I think they are only 1 gram more each. Next helpful tip for you is that sawyer makes their own o-rings that have tabs on them so they dont fall out. . The ones at hardware stores do not have those and will fall out and not seal nearly as good as the sawyer ones. The trick is to barely tighten the water bottle on the oring and then it wont compress and ruin it. So again. just barely tighten the water bottle. Someone showed me this trick and I was so thankful. Last thing is to put on your sunscreen in the morning before you get out of the tent when it is still cool out. If you put it on your face when you already hot then it was drip down your face and make your face very hot from clogging the pours. I wish you the best of luck on your journey. I hope you meet lots of great people. To me, the people really made the trip. Also try not to talk about gear that much on trail. People get annoyed.

[@trailgoodsco]

Duane Hundley thanks for the thoughtful comment and kind words. I test gear for a living so gear talk is hard for me to hold back but I’ll keep that in mind! Great tips! I appreciate your well earned knowledge! Thanks for following along! I promise it will get better!

[@duanehundley]

Luke Pearsall what gear do you test for a living?

[@trailgoodsco]

Whatever I get my hands on!

[@Arthur-Silva]

I'd ditch that Cnoc bladder, mine leaked even before I got to Lake Morena and I met a couple of other hikers with similar issues. But you're very light my friend, great job!

[@trailgoodsco]

MENTES LIVRES thanks for the heads up. I’ve tested it quite a bit with no problems but it’s good to know there are potential hazards to look out for

[@elihughes1801]

Swap the CNOC cap for a spare Sawyer bag cap. If it leaks from the envelope side, add a couple strips of duct tape to improve the seal. Both my CNOC ('18 and '19) bags leaked right outta the box. Swapping the caps permanently ended the leaking. I've done long water carries using modified CNOC bags strapped to the top of my pack - zero leaks!

[@Reese842]

Don't forget to use any rocks around to secure your tent stakes. The ground is sometimes too hard or soft to adequately hold.

[@trailgoodsco]

appreciate it! I Backpack a lot in Southern Utah and Colorado where this is pretty common. I appreciate that thoughtful comments

[@PhoenixGenesis]

Agree with your reply. Forgot to mention that you really want to shake your quilt before using each night to maximize the loft. Also, don’t use DEET as bug repellent as it ruins the quilt. I use clean sleeping socks, but your down booties will work as well.

[@trailgoodsco]

Phoenix Genesis great call thank you!

[@mrbear849]

Food bag for me was a Walmart grocery bag, the Zpack Duplex was hard at time for me to find a campsite that was big enough to pitch it, I never used a ground sheet.

[@trailgoodsco]

Mr. Bear that’s awesome! Thanks for the comment! A bag is a bag right?!

[@fireroamingwild9463]

This was such an awesome video to watch! Thank you!!

[@trailgoodsco]

hey hey! So great seeing the Rawlogy post where you were watching it! Much appreciated!

[@janefreeman4121]

Legend super respectful. Soft hike for not carrying stuff. "Still a thru hike" So no purity meter. I really like ee wind pants.

[@trailgoodsco]

He's a really special human.

[@berniesbend]

That sawyer washer can be bought at Walmart. Kmart etc. Look for washers for a garden hose, they work just fine.

[@trailgoodsco]

Bernie Simmons great tip!

[@Reese842]

I carried two extra washers ... one for me and one for anyone that needed one. I made friends that way.

[@trailgoodsco]

@@Reese842 sounds like a good way to make friends!

[@Jerrymc1975]

Also Home Depot or Lowe’s. Go to plumbing section. Same diameter gasket used on sinks

[@tullochgorum6323]

If you're using poles, you could use ultralight pogies to protect your hands from sun. More venting than gloves.

[@trailgoodsco]

Tullochgorum great idea!

[@TimDanDanTheMan1]

Great video! Thanks for putting it together!

[@trailgoodsco]

TimTheTanker thanks for taking the time to check it out!

[@Reese842]

Nice video. One thing I used effectively afterwhile was the post office for bouncing stuff I didn't need immediately. To help me decide if I could live without something on trail was to bounce it a week up trail. If I didn't absolutely want it back then I sent it home. I went from a 14 lb base to ~10. It made a difference.

[@trailgoodsco]

yes! seems like it's a super effective way to keep stuff close. Does the post office bounce the box free of charge?

[@expatadventureturkey9324]

Tyler with all that useful hiking experience and just over all joy of hiking and mountains it would be awesome for you to start a KZbin video channel. 3-2-1 Let’s Go

[@trailgoodsco]

I agree! Lets get Prodigy on youtube!

[@stacylolley]

What is that strap you have for your cook kit? Mine rattling gets on my nerves and rubber bands always break. Thanks!!!

[@trailgoodsco]

I bought an x rubber band from litesmith.com they are a tiny bit heavier but very durable and very cheap to purchase!

[@elnino7486]

in regards to hanging your food, id say it makes perfect sense to hang your food low. mice will be far more of an issue over bears and a low hang takes care of that

[@trailgoodsco]

El nino thanks for watching the video appreciate the thoughtful comment!

[@Reese842]

Unless you have a way to prevent them from climbing down your food line ... they'll cliffhanger it like Sylvester Stallone.

[@Jerrymc1975]

Just get an ursack. I have one that’s critter and beat proof that can be tied at the base of a tree

[@RosserRuns]

I just found and subbed. I look forward to supporting your content....

[@trailgoodsco]

That’s so kind of you! Thank you!

[@nathanwarstler2801]

How DO you guys backup your phone vids, photos, journals-while on trail? I have an iPhone 7 and I haven't found anything portable that works well yet.

[@trailgoodsco]

Nathan Warstler I use a lightening connector to sd card reader and just back it up on to an adventure card

[@nathanwarstler2801]

@@trailgoodsco Thanks. I'll check it out.

[@justinbahawi1016]

Hey Luke! I'm in the process of getting a new HMG backpack myself. But I can't decide between the Southwest or the junction. I was wondering what made you choose the Southwest, over the junction? Thanks!

[@trailgoodsco]

Hey Justin, thanks for the comment! I'm glad you asked this question. I actually ended up selling my HMG Southwest shortly after this shakedown video because I found out that the torso size was off for me. My intention was to replace it with the Junction because I like the idea of being able to dry things out in a mesh pocket. Also I like being able to see what is in the back pocket so I can reach in and grab it without having to dig around too much. Ultimately after this video was made I went with a custom LiteAF Curve 46L pack. Working with Chris at LiteAF was amazing and I felt like a custom pack is well worth it for me in the end.

[@bavarian11788]

Trail name: lifeguard due to orange shorts

[@trailgoodsco]

bavarian11788 David hasselhoff style

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Cool video! Btw I found out recently that it's "k-nock"! :)

[@trailgoodsco]

Backcountry Pilgrim interesting! And good to know!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@@trailgoodsco Yeah it surprised me haha!

[@philippebourdeau2281]

How much is full weight of your gear?

[@trailgoodsco]

Philippe Bourdeau hey check out my lighterpack link in the description! It’s very detailed!

[@EpicBladeTime]

Luke are you doing pct this year???

[@trailgoodsco]

EpicBladeTime sure am!

[@EpicBladeTime]

@@trailgoodsco I'm trying to find some friends to start the hike with! Would be dope to caravan some miles with ya! Let me know if you are down

[@LaurenRoerick]

Looks great! When are you hiking the PCT?

[@trailgoodsco]

Lauren Roerick I start mid April! It’s coming up quickly! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@andyfilmsandhikes]

I need more KZbin content from Luke!!!! :)

[@trailgoodsco]

It’s coming brother

[@damomarando]

LEGEND!!

[@trailgoodsco]

Damian Morando absolutely!

[@jthompsoniii]

Top of the line (e.g. very expensive) equipment. You'll do fine.

[@trailgoodsco]

J.A.T. III thanks! I saved and slowly picked up the gear for the past 5 years planning! Appreciate it!

[@ValsLife1]

That would be me. I'm the one with ALL the bags!

[@trailgoodsco]

Val Mobley no shame in that game hahah

[@AbleHammer]

Awesome, does Tyler live in Orlando? He looks very familiar. Thanks I learned a lot. I'm planning the PCT this year... so far feeling good about the adventure. Nice breakdown.

[@trailgoodsco]

Hey Jeff thanks for the comment. I don’t believe he lives in Florida. Good luck with all your prep! Please let me know if you have any questions too!

[@AbleHammer]

Thanks Luke. I sure will 👍🏻

[@braddavis6831]

Great video. But I'm still bringing toilet paper😁.

[@trailgoodsco]

Brad Davis hahah same here!

[@janefreeman4121]

Yeah. The thing about using leaves or rocks is monkey butt and odor. So tp is key. Another option is using a leaf then portable bidet. If water is an issue then use a leaf then wash up at next water source. The bidet is cleaner and less smelly and actually lighter than a fresh supply of tp.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Great video and channel. Great information. I love this. What a great idea for a video. Subscribed to your channel. My channel has similar interest. ✌️

[@trailgoodsco]

AS THE CROW FLIES HIKING wow thanks for the kind words! I’ll check you out!

[@jewelciappio]

Opsak are odor proof. Isn’t that a helpful thing?

[@trailgoodsco]

They are but really they aren’t very durable. Over a long distance they tend to get break at the zip part or get small holes worn in them. In that case it’s not odor proof at all

[@jewelciappio]

Shake yourself before you break yourself. Lol.

[@Diddley_Squat]

I put the food at my feet, so I can kick at any animals.

[@trailgoodsco]

I like it at my head so I can eat them! hahah

[@Diddley_Squat]

@@trailgoodsco Haha.

[@Diddley_Squat]

@@trailgoodsco I would normally agree but the nose hairs don't agree with me. It's the texture, not the taste.