[pct-l] Ultralight = safe and successful?

[Ned Tibbits]

Exactly, Donna,

and this is yet another contributor to the failure rate on the Crest. This 
is still early season and at altitude anything can happen, frontal system or 
not. Carry wet and cold weather gear at this time of year. Don't compromise 
your comfort, pleasure, and success because you want to attain the lowest 
pack weight.

Ultralight is fine for those who are willing to accept the consequences. 
They've tried it out on earlier trips of all lengths and it works for them.

Practical-light is what you should shoot for. Whatever gear and food 
assortment that works for you over your length of trail time and conditions 
you expect to find. This becomes your pack weight. Choose the best materials 
(not necessarily the lightest) for the durability you need; choose the 
calories needed for the for the terrain expected--don't go lightweight in 
the Sierra snows (the going is just too tough for idealistic weights and 
volumes).

Donna, are the head counts really up from last year?

Mtnned


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna "L-Rod" Saufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: "Gary Wright" <at2002 at mac.com>
Cc: "Diane Soini" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 7:57 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] weather from the trail


>I can't count how many times the variability of Southern California weather 
>in spring time has been discussed, on the PCT-L and all the texts you 
>reference.  Traveling without it in high elevations is a formula for 
>disaster.  Unfortunately, it's a lesson that could cost someone their 
>life -- or the life of a SAR team member sent to rescue the unprepared.  I 
>just cannot imagine that saving a few ounces on packweight is worth that 
>kind of sacrifice.
>
> L-Rod
>
> -----Original Message-----
>>From: Gary Wright <at2002 at mac.com>
>>Sent: May 27, 2008 10:49 AM
>>To: "Donna \"L-Rod\" Saufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
>>Cc: Diane Soini <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>, pct-l at backcountry.net
>>Subject: Re: [pct-l] weather from the trail
>>
>>
>>On May 27, 2008, at 1:02 PM, Donna "L-Rod" Saufley wrote:
>>> I have been hearing the "no rain gear" comment from a number of
>>> hikers, and it is pretty upsetting to me.
>>
>>
>> From reading pct-l and Trailjournals it seems some people
>>have ditched their tent and the warm clothes because they
>>thought it was always hot and sunny on the southern PCT.
>>
>>It is strange since every bit of advice I've ever seen about
>>thru-hiking the PCT (handbooks, ALDHA workshops, PCT-L, personal
>>discussions with hikers) has always mentioned that you have
>>to be prepared for cold and possibly wet weather anywhere
>>on the trail.
>>
>>Radar
>
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