[pct-l] my first backpacking trip

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Apr 9, 2009, at 6:38 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>
>> 2)What aches and pains are normal from your backpack?

In my opinion, the shoulder and/or hip belt can feel painful when you  
put the pack on the second day or so. But as you are hiking, there  
should be no pain coming from the pack itself.

Since you are new at backpacking, you really ought to use this  
opportunity to start out with ultralight gear rather than go through  
the painful and wallet-lightening process of buying good gear that  
isn't light and then replacing it with gear that is light. I know  
ultralight sometimes gets a bum rap from people who do not understand  
it, but the truth is, when your pack is very light (10lbs or so  
without food and water) you will suffer less, you'll be able to cover  
more ground, you'll have less chance of being injured because you  
won't be unstable or clumsy on your feet and you'll simply have more  
fun. You cannot buy ultralight gear in a regular gear shop. And some  
of it you might even make yourself. Do some online research and keep  
your mind open.

Nimblewill Nomad is right: your gear represents your insecurities.  
And Warner Springs Monty is right: the fun really does go up when the  
weight goes down.

Diane/Piper
Start date May 27 or so, starting in Downtown Santa Barbara and  
walking to Canada!