pct-l-digest V1 #1103

>
> pct-l-digest          Friday, April 14 2000          Volume 01 : Number
1103
>
>
>
> In this issue:
>
>     Re: [pct-l] Re: pct-l-digest V1 #1099
>     Re: [pct-l] Trail angels
>     [pct-l] PCT harder
>     Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>     [pct-l] AT and PCT
>     [pct-l] Pack weights AT vs PCT
>     Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>     Re: [pct-l] Pack weights AT vs PCT
>     [pct-l] little old ladies
>     Re: [pct-l] San Gabriel Mtns.
>     Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>     Re: [pct-l] little old ladies
>     [pct-l] Transportation to Trailhead
>     [pct-l] Preparing for Altitude
>     [pct-l] Trail Access by Cuyamaca Lake (section A)
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 18:02:27 EDT
> From: ROYROBIN@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Re: pct-l-digest V1 #1099
>
> In a message dated 4/11/00, Zeke writes:
>
> << Two of us, from the Southeast, have 10 days free between June 21 and
30.
> We
>  would like to hike about 8 days on the PCT, somewhere between I-80 Soda
>  Springs north to the Oregon Border. We would like to cover between 50 and
> 100
>  miles, avoid too much snow, wild mosquito outbreaks, and have beginning
and
>  end somewhere near where bus routes or hitching might take us eventually
to
>  and from Reno. Any suggestions or recommendations are most welcomed. Our
>  experience on the PCT has been from Agua Dulce north to Soda Springs over
> the
>  past 5 years. >>
>
> The next 10 days north from Soda Springs isn't bad but at least last year
you
> would have run into a bit of snow.  Sierra City or Belden both put you
onto
> major highways from which you can catch a ride to CiviliZation.
Hopefully,
> snow conditions will be a bit better this year but you'll just have to
wait
> to see how it works out.  Too early to tell yet.
>
> If you're looking for great scenery in late June, may I suggest starting
at
> Willamette Pass, Oregon (Hwy 58) and hiking through to Cascade Locks on
the
> Columbia River?  This takes you through the Three Sisters Wilderness, the
> McKenzie Pass area (spectacular volcanic terrain) and the Eagle Creek
Trail.
> Eagle Creek is not part of the "official" PCT, but don't miss it if you
want
> to take the scenic route.  You probably won't have time to start your hike
at
> Crater Lake unless you can add a few days to your trip, but take a day to
> visit it if you're in that part of the country.  It's Oregon's jewel, not
to
> be missed.
>
> Many PCT throughhikers tend to write off Oregon as a stretch to get
through
> on the way to Northern Washington and Manning Park.  They're wrong, and
are
> missing a lot if they don't look up from their next footfall.  Take a
camera!
>  'Course, I was raised in Oregon so its just my opinion.  You want to
avoid
> wild mosquito outbreaks in late June?  A headnet plus DEET weighs less
than
> one ounce.  Or try Disneyland.  Good luck on your hike!
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 18:02:30 EDT
> From: ROYROBIN@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail angels
>
> In a message dated 4/11/00 jimandginnyo write:
>
> << An unexpected gift of kindness means so much, especially when you are
far
>  from home.  But the "trail magic" that was expected was sometimes a
> disappointment and wasn't always there.  >>
>
> Hikers, if you expect nothing, you won't be disappointed.  Carry enough
water
> to get you through.  When you really need help, an angel will be there, in
my
> experience, giving what is needed and taking in return only our thanks,
> nothing more.  Don't forget to say, "Thank you!" and, when you have the
> opportunity further up the trail (or later on in your life),  try to
return
> the favor.
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 18:51:14 EDT
> From: KBerger466@aol.com
> Subject: [pct-l] PCT harder
>
> Where did I get my figures from re: PCT and AT completions? The PCT
figures
> are from the PCT data book, which shows a correlation between the
percentage
> of finishers and the amount of snowpack (measured as a percent of normal).
> Also, in my PCT year (97), 150 started, and I believe (from the PCTA) that
> about 75 - 80 finished.
>
> Re: the AT figures: They're from the ATC. Also, some years back, Roland
> Mueser did a very scientific survey (he's a retired engineer); in his
survey,
> the AT failure rate was 85 percent. The ATC people estimate the completion
> rate has gone up a bit because of more places that help hikers and more
info
> avaiable to make planning easier.  Mueser's other interesting info can be
> perused in his book, Long-Distance Hiking: Lessons from the Appalachian
> Trail.
>
> I don't know why it matters which trail is harder, but I can guarantee
that
> no matter which trail you pick, someone's gonna disagree.
>
> Karen
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 16:17:03 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Mark Dixon <mkdixon1@excite.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>
> |  Douglas Gates writes:
> |  Subject: [pct-l] final questions??
> |
> |  Some of you know what I'm doing on my trek, most do not. I will be
> carrying
> |  a wireless laptop with me on my trek I will also be attempting to plot
> the
> |  whole trail thru GPS,
> |
> |  The other was from a company that was going to add to my account $2000
> for
> |  expenses on the trip. This has been a major blow to the trip and if
> anyone
> |  out there has any ideas or suggestions, or could help with this problem
> |  please let me know.
>
> Sell the computer, gps, car and whatever else you have of value. If that
> fails put it on the credit card. Problem solved!
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________________
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 20:54:40 EDT
> From: "Tony Eyl" <livinglite@hotmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] AT and PCT
>
> Granted, I have not thru-hiked the PCT, but have done the AT twice and
lots
> of other wilderness travel.
> It is true that roughly 25%  who start the AT finish.
> I am sure the PCT has it's own set of trials and tribulations, but either
> way, it has always seemed to me that being on a long trek is determined by
> the person's attitude.  The people who do not make it to Katahdin on the
> A.T. do so b/c they simply had other priorities- either due to lack of
> motivation and determination to walk ALL those miles day after  day,
family
> issues, money issues, etc.  The people I know who made it to Katahdin did
so
> b/c they put their mind to it.  I would maintain that finishing or not is
> determined not so much by the physical difficulty, but rather, it is
> determined by desire and motivation. Using the destination as motivation
to
> walk is not really all that motivating- it takes loving the lifestyle and

> appreciating the immensity of creation- the Silent Awe of Divinity- the
Love
> heard in the Birdsong.  But hey, that is just my perspective.
> I have respect for anyone who can walk THAT far and still enjoy it and
love
> the life they have been given.  Whether you do the PCT CDT or AT, it is
the
> joy in the freedom of living and creation that ties them all together.
How
> can we say that one part of creation is "better" than the other?  Without
> the sum of the parts, the body cannot function and they unite to form
> something invigorating to the soul.
> Hark- I verge on "waxing philosophical"! I guess I could talk more about
it
> if I get to do the PCT next year....!
>
> - -Israel
>
> P.S. As far as Bill Erwin hiking the AT and being blind- I really think
had
> you hiked the AT you would be mystified that such a task was completed.
It
> is truly a miracle.  And as far storms go- I can tell you about the
> hair-raising lightening storms down south, and the times I have traversed
> and worked above treeline in NH- like the day I spent walking all day
above
> treeline in 30 degree weather, driving rain, and 80 mph steady winds and
> gusts over 100 mph (THAT was one of my funnest, hardest, terrifying,
> peaceful days walking ever!).  The AT does have some weather to be
reckoned
> with, but then it should, creation is powerful everywhere.  :)  No doubt
> though, the AT offers a lot of peaceful rainy days too- a perfect time to
> walk and smile and contemplate!
> ______________________________________________________
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>
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 23:29:26 EDT
> From: Montedodge@aol.com
> Subject: [pct-l] Pack weights AT vs PCT
>
>  If your pack was 45lbs. on the AT and only 25lbs. on the PCT Martin,
this
> meaning your planning was worse on your AT trip. The towns are closer on
the
> AT than the PCT so there's no reason your pack should be heavier. Many
places
> on the PCT make a hiker pack more between drops not to mention all the
extra
> water the PCT requires. More hikers will complete the AT in one year than
all
> the hikers that have ever completed the PCT. ( Which one is harder???)  If
a
> person bails out of the AT, you are seldom a day from a road. The AT has a
> Kazillion shelters to help in bad weather, where as the PCT has few.  If
> your into shopping in big malls, love crowds , maybe the AT is a better
> trail. Gramma Gatewood kept her distance from the PCT  and kept redoing
and
> redoing the AT.  A  PCT hikers pack is " as a rule " heavier than an AT
> hikers pack just from logistics.
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000 00:07:17 EDT
> From: CMountainDave@aol.com
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>
> I really like  m k dixon's approach to problem solving! If you really want
to
> do something bad enough you"ll find a way. Put the hike on credit if you
have
> to. I've had many people tell me "gee, I'd like to hike the PCT. but blah
> blah blah". Excuses are easy to find. The solution is to simply walk
through
> them, take action and just do it. Have a little faith in Trail Magic!!
Good
> hiking to one and all. Mountain Dave
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 21:24:57 -0700
> From: Stephen Martin <troubadour@pcthiker.com>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Pack weights AT vs PCT
>
> Monte you crack me up!
>
> > If your pack was 45lbs. on the AT and only 25lbs. on the PCT Martin,
this
> > meaning your planning was worse on your AT trip. The towns are closer on
the
> > AT than the PCT so there's no reason your pack should be heavier.
>
> On the AT I went the standard route with gear choices. I carried a 7 pound
> Dana pack (That's 7 pounds empty!) with a 4 pound NF tent, candle lantern,
> water filter, etc, etc. . .  On the PCT I carried a 14 ounce LWGear pack
and
> a tarp. The difference in pack weight, in my case, is not related to the
> distance between towns.
>
> > More hikers will complete the AT in one year than all
> > the hikers that have ever completed the PCT. ( Which one is harder???)
>
> One can conclude from that data the AT is more popular than the PCT. In
> terms of which one is harder, Monte, there's a guaranteed way for you to
> find out for yourself.
>
> > Gramma Gatewood kept her distance from the PCT and kept redoing and
> > redoing the AT.
>
> If she were alive and you said this to her face I would love to be there.
> She'd roll you over her knee and spank some sense into you!
>
> > A  PCT hikers pack is " as a rule " heavier than an AT hikers pack just
from
> logistics.
>
> You really crack me up!
>
>
> Troubadour
> - --------------
> http://www.pcthiker.com | experience the pacific crest trail
>
>
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000 00:52:15 EDT
> From: CMountainDave@aol.com
> Subject: [pct-l] little old ladies
>
> For what it's worth, I never ever question the abilities of little old
> ladies, at least not anymore. Once I organized a trip to the Grand Canyon
and
>  questioned the ability of Alice(whom I did not know) to complete the
hike.
> She was 62 at the time. As a reply the people who did know her just
laughed
> and said nothing. Well, I am proud to say she kicked all of our butts on
the
> ardous journey in 105 degree heat. Since then I took her the summit of Mt.
> Rainier at age 65. We took only one 15 minute break on the way up from
Camp
> Schurman at 11000'. She beat us all to the summit of Mt. Shasta at age 67.
> She is the toughest person I have ever hiked with. Age ain't got nothing
to
> do with it. Seeing is believing. Mountain Dave
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 22:00:16 -0800
> From: "Paul Nickodem" <Dharmabum64@worldnet.att.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] San Gabriel Mtns.
>
> > Apr 6;  Mt. Baden Powell trail is impassable due to snow.  Probably will
> be 3- 4 weeks before you can get through safely.  Hwy 2 from Vincent Gap
to
> Islip Saddle still closed.  Some 10 ft drifts on this road but good access
> around Mt. Baden Powell.
>
> Looks like my decision to start May 7th is looking better and better!
Good
> luck to the April PCT 2000 "Postholing Team"  members..sometimes it pays
to
> run late.
> Seriously good luck and be careful out there!
> Cheers
> Dharmabum
>
>
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 22:00:49 -0800
> From: "Paul Nickodem" <Dharmabum64@worldnet.att.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>
> - ----- Original Message -----
> From: <CMountainDave@aol.com>
> To: <pct-l@backcountry.net>
> Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2000 8:07 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] final questions??
>
>
> > I really like  m k dixon's approach to problem solving! If you really
want
> to
> > do something bad enough you"ll find a way. Put the hike on credit if you
> have
> > to. I've had many people tell me "gee, I'd like to hike the PCT. but
blah
> > blah blah". Excuses are easy to find.
>
> Yeah that is so true!  I say just get out on the trail and deal with the
> problems from there.  Better to have started the trail then to not get on
it
> at all no matter how much your finances suck.  I was planning to bring an
> expensive digital camera on trail but I ran over on my new equipment
> allocation fund so I'm just using my old photo scanner in my drift
> box..nothing cannot be over come..unless its a broken foot or
> something..even then I heard of this one guy who wanted to hike ON HIS
> HANDS..so maybe that's possible too!
> Cheers
> Dharmabum
>
>
>
>
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Fri, 14 Apr 2000 08:49:35 -0700
> From: "ECPG" <ceddy@netzero.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] little old ladies
>
> I was hiking with my (then) 70 year old dad up above Paradise on Mt
> Rainier, when some 20-something guy came by and kind of whispered "How old
> is that guy you're with?'
> When I told him 70, he said "Well, he must be in real good shape 'cause
> he's going faster than I am and up here I feel old."
> He's 75 now and can still hike my butt off.
> Carolyn--"Have Goat, Will Travel"
>
> _____________________________________________
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Mon, 10 Apr 2000 00:22:05 -0500 (CDT)
> From: PCT-L Guest Post <milt@backcountry.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Transportation to Trailhead
>
> * Message posted to PCT-L from the National Scenic Trails Website
> * by our guest Phil Pluckebaum <pluckebaum@hotmail.com>.
> * Please use <mailto:pluckebaum@hotmail.com> to reply to the sender.
>
> I am ariving in San Diego to start my thru-hike on 4/27 around 10am by
Greyhound bus and am not sure as to how to get to the trail head best. Are
there any angles available? I would be happy to pay any toll, fee or
reimbursements you deem necessary by way of compensation. If you can help
please contact me at:
>
> pluckebaum@hotmail.com
> or (916) 768-7675
>
> Thank you for you time and thoughtfulness.
>
>
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2000 18:46:29 -0500 (CDT)
> From: PCT-L Guest Post <milt@backcountry.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Preparing for Altitude
>
> * Message posted to PCT-L from the National Scenic Trails Website
> * by our guest Ed Carlson <Jed94568@aol.com>.
> * Please use <mailto:Jed94568@aol.com> to reply to the sender.
>
> Long term change involves the red blood cell count. I believe short term
change is a matter of a blood ph change. My plan is to day hike and sleep
overnight at some alitude above 5000 ft. Drink tons of water to flush thru
the kidney's (to change that ph value). Stop alcohol days before your trip
(it dehydrates your body). Stop caffeine unless you plan to continue daily
coffee doses. On my latest trip up Whitney, after an early pancake breakfast
in Lone Pine including two quarts of water, I drank another two quarts up
the road and while unloading in the parking lot. Yeah, I had to stop alot
and when I did I replenished the water. I did the same thing the next
morning at the high camp and felt well enough to eat food at the top without
a headache, and that's a good sign hydration and preparation success.
>
>
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 00:07:54 -0500 (CDT)
> From: PCT-L Guest Post <milt@backcountry.net>
> Subject: [pct-l] Trail Access by Cuyamaca Lake (section A)
>
> * Message posted to PCT-L from the National Scenic Trails Website
> * by our guest Jan Craven   <jecjunk@aol.com>.
> * Please use <mailto:jecjunk@aol.com> to reply to the sender.
>
> Does anyone know if permission is necessary to
> hike the across the ranchland from Pedro Fages
> Monument near Lake Cuyamaca in San Diego County to
> the PCT which lies about 1 mile north of the
> highwa
>
>
> * From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *
>
> ------------------------------
>
> End of pct-l-digest V1 #1103
> ****************************
>
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