[pct-l] Snow in May, and Preparation / weather from the trail / Entitlement??

[karl jorgensen]

I also agree with what you have said here.  I did the trail in 06 and was made fun of because of how much gear I was carrying. Yes I was carrying a lot more than most, but I was not going to find myself in trouble if it came.   I had prepared and yes I did finish in 4 months from start to finish.   I want to do it again, and there are very few things I would change.  I am going on 63 this year, so maybe I am of the old school, but it is better to be safe than sorry.    jorgy from 06

----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Bankhead <wandering_bob at comcast.net>
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 10:04 pm
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Snow in May, and Preparation / weather from the trail / Entitlement??
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net>

> OK, I'll say directly what has been more polietly referred to 
> here by many. If it offends you, too bad; I could not care less. 
> The life you save may be your own - or that of some poor SAR person.
> 
> 1. A through-hike is NOT the place to take "Backpacking 101". 
> Yes, total novices have defied all the odds and completed the 
> trail, but their numbers are minisqule relative to the total 
> number who start each year. Don't let your elephant ego overload 
> your canary rectum.
> 
> 2. Help yourself first. Do your _ _ _ _  homework BEFORE 
> asking questions on this and/or other outdoor forums. That 
> includes reading past threads so you can at least get an idea of 
> what to expect, what printed resources are available to purchase 
> and read, and where to find trail journals of current or prior 
> hikers. Use the forum SEARCH functions. Read them.  Yes, it 
> takes a lot of time, but you'll learn SO MUCH more than you 
> initially desired. If you still can't find the exact answers you 
> seek, then ask specific questions. There are a lot of Trail 
> Angels and experienced hikers here who will gladly help you.
> 
> 3. BE ACCOUNTABLE. Pretend water caches and Trail Angels don't 
> exist. In reality, they are not guarenteed and may not be there. 
> Think of them purely as emergency back-ups, not as entitlements 
> or folks who exist solely to rescue your butt because you got 
> careless, stupid, tired, or the weather turned on you and you 
> weren't prepared. Plan your hike accordingly. 
> 
> 4. BE FLEXIBLE. A through-hike is a life-changing experience. 
> Let it teach you about research, preparation, logistics, 
> planning, and self-confidence; skills you will use the rest of 
> your life. Military academies teach that no battle plan ever 
> survives first contact with the enemy. The same is true of your 
> through-hiker plans.  You will need to make changes. the 
> Trail Gods WILL extract a price from you, no matter how well you 
> prepare. 
> 
> 5. Get in shape BEFORE you start your through-hike. That can 
> mean MONTHS of conditioning and shake-down treks. Just because 
> you blazed through the AT when you were 18 does not mean you can 
> do the PCT like that at 48.
> 
> 6. Never doubt your ability to complete the hike; just accept 
> that it might not be this year. Listen to your body and the 
> little voice inside. Know when to quit and be willing to do so. 
> If you get that "Oh-oh" feeling and conditions get too dicey for 
> your comfort, be willing to stop or find another route around 
> the obstacle. Just because others go on with apparent confidence 
> does not mean you can too. An experienced mountaineer can easily 
> go places I'd never dream of attempting. Following them could be 
> fatal for me. Mount St. Helens not withstanding, the trail will 
> still be there next year and you can try again from where you 
> left off.
> 
> The sea (like high voltage electricity) is not inherently 
> dangerous, but it is totally and completely unforgiving of the 
> slightest mistake on your part. The same can be said for the trail.
> 
> 
> Wandering Bob
> 
> 
> 
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