[pct-l] Super Super Secrets

[Tom Aterno]

Piper,

You said it all in section 2 below.  I remember meeting Billy Goat two  
years in a row on the PCT, once in section A and the following year  
north of Agnew Meadows.  Both times I remarked how small his pack was  
and he remarked, you don't need stuff to hike the trail.  I have tried  
to follow his advice both on and off the trail since then.  My only  
bow is that I brought a MP3 player last month on the JMT.

Tom

On Oct 5, 2008, at 7:02 PM, Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com wrote:

> 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!
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