[pct-l] Ultralight = safe and successful?

[Donna "L-Rod" Saufley]

No, the headcount is not up significantly from my observations. The pattern is different, largely due to the Apache fire, the reroutes, and the storm.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.com>
>Sent: May 27, 2008 9:12 PM
>To: "Donna \"L-Rod\" Saufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>, Gary Wright <at2002 at mac.com>
>Cc: Diane Soini <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>, pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Ultralight = safe and successful?
>
>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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>