PCT shopping

I hate to think of how much i am spending to save a few ounces.

Today's equation looked a bit like this:

Sleeping bag
- old down bag (still excellent condition) - 3.5lbs
- new down bag - 1lb 9oz ($300)

Rucksack
- old Macpac (also excellent) - 5.5lbs
- new Gregory Advent pro - 2lb 14oz

The guys in the Sporting Rage are brilliant. On my first visit I just checked everything out and made a list. In the interim I went to the REI because I had a gift voucher for there. I couldn't believe how poorly stocked the REI store was. None of the main ultralite stuff I wanted was in stock, not the rucksack, not the sleeping bag, nor the rain coat and not even the PCT books I need. The staff were helpful but I couldnt wait for the store to order it all in. By contrast the Sporting Rage had all of the top quality stuff I was looking for - the right pack, with some good alternatives; the right sleeping bag and best of all, great advice from people who know their stuff. I took my old sleeping bag in there and they said it was great and I should use it, until I told them I was doing a 2,000 mile trek and then they admitted that saving over 1lb on the new bag was probably worth it.

I then tried to buy some Tyvex at Home Despot but I could only buy 165ft of it and I needed 6ft to make a groundsheet from. It's great stuff - the guys told me to go to a building site and ask for some. So tomorrow i need to look for a building site!