[at-l] AT-L = 95% Junk

[TrailR at aol.com (TrailR@aol.com)]

In a message dated 10/22/2004 10:00:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time,  
Rcalkins@worldbank.org writes:

I expect  to use mail drops, BUT one of my questions for the group is to what
extent  that is necessary these days in terms of the availability of  
appropriate
food supplies in towns along the way.
**
You don't really need them. If you are not a picky eater, you can always  
find 
something to eat.

I've  also replaced my wisperlight with a titanium alcohol stove (I'm  curious
about the best fuel bottles as I'm spilling too much fuel trying to  fill the
darn thing).  I use one titanium pot, one spoon, and a mug  w/lid as my 
kitchen.
*
I used a plastic soda bottle for fuel hallf of my hike, and a small  "Propel" 
sports 
drink bottle the other half. No runs, no leaks, no errors. No need for a  
special fuel 
bottle (all I saw others use was plastic soda bottles).
**

I use a  Pur water filter, and one of those free-standing scoop bags from
campmore  to collect water in so I can pump more comfortably somewhere other 
than at the  stream or spring.
**
Most people treated their water in 2003, but didn't use filters. Many  of us 
used Aqua 
Mira drops on the whole hike, some used iodine or Bleach.
**



I own a can of bear (pepper) spay, but not sure if it's really  worth packing
along.  
**
Never heard of anyone on the trail last year that needed any bear defense.  
Handle 
food properly and consider yourself lucky if you even see a bear on the  
trail (I never 
did).

My  thought is it might come in handy with dogs or rabid animals, of
which one  hears relatively little, so why bother. I figure my greatest
vulnerability  is while I'm sleeping, and I sleep so soundly I probably won't
hear him  until, like Jonah, I've already been swallowed.  That or I'll  only
succeed in blasting myself with the spray trying to use it through my  tent 
mesh,
and the bear will then be able to enjoy seasoned meat instead of  plain....
Advice?
**
You will taste better to the animals with pepper spray on you. Use your  
poles 
for defense if you need to. 
**



I don't expect to take my cell phone, partly for weight, mostly  because I
haven't had much luck getting enough bars to make calls, but also  as a 
matter of
philosophy.  I hate it when people are jabbering away  on their cell phones in
restaurants and other places where I'm like, hey, I  really don't want to 
listen
to that, do you mind??  
**
Then you must hate peole talking to each other in restaurants  too.  Unless 
you 
are talking about the ringing of cell phones, and not the conversations...  
Then I 
agree with you.
**

So I  wouldn't want to do that to other people, and
especially on the  trail!  What I am wondering about is a personal locator 
beacon
cum GPS  as a safety device.  Odds are (hopefully) that I would not have to  
use
it, but ya never know.  My EMT background reminds me that time can  be of the
essence, and my SAR background tells me that the rescue part  doesn't start 
until
they locate you.  Anyway, not on my A list to  worry about, compared to boots 
and
a tent.
**
Lots of things would be nice to have with you, but not necessary. You seem  
to 
have a good understanding of  what "should" be on your A list.
**
 
hotdog
AT 03
Pain in the A** Lister 04