Is ultra light really THAT crucial?
Been hiking tons of other long trails in preparation for the PCT next year, and all I hear is the importance of being ultra-light. I’m a big guy, 6’1 250 pounds but losing weight and will likely be 220-230 by the time I start so I suffer from the big man tax. Which naturally adds on a pound or two from clothes and needing a bigger space to sleep comfortably. I’ve been sleeping in the BA Copper Spur for a single person on my travels and find myself spooning my tent walls every night. I wanted to upgrade to the two person BA, which is 2 pounds and 10 ounces and everyone is telling me not to. Even with a two person big Agnes I could reasonably get my base weight to 17-20 pounds. Is that too high? Is a better nights sleep worth the extra pound? I require a lot more food and water than a lot of people for my maintenance so I’d have to carry a lot more. If my weight with food and water exceeds 35 pounds am I just fucked? Someone just give me some guidance here since I’ve been toiling endlessly with what everyone’s been saying to me about being ultra light. Thank you, and happy hiking to anyone currently on trail reading this!
Edit: Thank you a ton to everyone who took the time to answer, especially those who wrote such detailed ones. I think I’ve come to a decision, and truly appreciate all the effort everyone took giving serious answers!