[pct-l] AZDPCTKO

[Amanda L Silvestri]

What a wonderful event!  This was my second kick-off, having missed it last year but attending in 2006.  As a section hiker I ended up pitching my tent less than 20 yards from where I did two years ago, over by the far corner of the campground.  It was a nice spot but a good walk from everything, nothing any self-respecting hiker should complain about.
   
  I enjoyed putting faces to several of the names I have seen here and elsewhere and meeting new friends.  I did not see Warner Springs Monty.  I wonder if you were there under a different name.  Met Switchback and Stinky, but didn't pet him (either of them) after warnings that pregnancy could follow.  It was nice to have Yogi recognize my name at registration.  I don't that was quite pleasant and disarming.
   
  The events were again very informative.  I want to give a shout out to the rangers.  Their instructions on making ones self large and loud and aggressive with bears has worked very well for me.  I have not been to aggressive with the bears.  I have yet to faint a charge at one, but I do growl at them and make it clear that I am not pray.  They always seem a bit confused, allow me to take their pictures and we depart with a mutual respect for one another.
   
  I have seen people post that they don't like the kick-off because of the vendors.  I for one like to look at and compare the equipment that you can only see on-line.  So much of it is not available in stores.  I examined all the tents and then walked around the camp sites asking folks how they liked their tents, if they felt Strong, rain safe, were roomy, etc.  Several people I spoke with had not spent much time in their tents, but others were able to provide good feed-back and everyone was friendly.  The free alcohol stoves give-a-way as always, was very nice.
   
  I provided several rides both to the lake from Scissors Crossing and from the lake to Warner Springs.  I had planed on bring three people down from L.A. but one Ed got sick.  I hope you feeling better Ed.  Ali got nervous when I said that I would be leaving for Walker 
Pass after the kick-off, but we met as I was doing my tent comparison.  He seems like a nice guy, currently studying at USC.  Anthony was supposed to be at L.A. International Airport but after an hour of looking for him I decided her was not there.  
   
  Bringing in Jellybean and Carbo from Scissors Crossing, Jellybean asked what my trail name was.  I said "I don't have one yet".  She said ,"Well how about Shepard?"  That was fine with me.  So, is that how trail name are acquired?  Does one hiker just select the name of another?  I am not sure.  Am I Shepard now?  :)
   
  I returned home yesterday to discover a bit of a sunburn.  I hope the hikers out there are using good sun protection.  Good luck to all of you on your through hikes, section hikes, day hikes etc.  I look forward to meeting several of you on the trail.
   
  Amanda (Shepard?)