[pct-l] Super Super Secrets

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

Here's a couple of super super secrets about gear:

1. You will do your best to find the right gear before you go, but  
along the way, some of it won't work as well as you want. You can  
actually go shopping while you hike! Yes, that's right. The wonders  
of the Internet make it possible to shop along the trail. You can  
observe the other hikers and decide what they have is better than  
what you have and order what they have at your next town stop for  
pick-up at your next next town stop. In Agua Dulce you may even be  
able to catch a ride to REI and fondle the goods in person before you  
buy. This means one of your most important items of gear is your  
credit card.

You can also read the pct-l list, including back issues, while you  
are hiking -- in town stops of course -- to find out what conditions  
will be like ahead of you. You can also talk to people along the  
trail. If it turns out you think your gear will be inadequate in the  
rainy wilds of Oregon, you can order more gear online! Yay for the  
Internet!

2. Gear will be a big deal while you are getting ready and for the  
first, oh, 500 miles or so. You will talk about your gear with other  
hikers, ask them questions about their gear, compare and contrast.  
Eventually it will all become a great big bore. You'll send half of  
it home. It will be the last thing on your mind. You'll become one  
with the wilderness. Gear, also known as "stuff", will no longer  
matter. All that will matter is water and shade, bears and foxes,  
wildflowers and meadows, simplicity and freedom.

Enjoy your journey!