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Met a guy on the PCT who insisted his 80 pound pack was 'ultralight philosophy'
I was hiking near Mount Hood last summer when I passed a guy whose backpack was so huge it looked like he was carrying a fridge. He stopped me, sweating buckets, and said, 'It's all about the mindset, not the weight, this is the true ultralight way.' Has anyone else run into someone with a truly wild take on gear on the trail?
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the_sage6mo ago
Yeah... that's the kind of guy who probably brings a cast iron skillet and a full bag of potatoes to save weight on fuel. It's not ultralight, it's just bad at math. The whole point is to carry less so you can go further and feel better... not to make up a new story about why your heavy stuff is actually light. Sounds like he was just trying to make himself feel better about a bad packing choice.
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xena_webb6mo ago
Oh man, that sounds miserable. Did you see what was actually IN there? I feel bad for the guy, because he's clearly hurting but has convinced himself it's some kind of secret wisdom. That's a tough spot to be in, miles from the trailhead with a fridge on your back.
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elizabeth_chen5mo ago
The 2019 PCT survey showed the average base weight was over 18 pounds. His pack was heavy, but the idea that comfort matters more than a number on a scale has some merit. Maybe his philosophy was just a very literal interpretation.
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