[pct-l] 10 top winners

[Bob Bankhead]

1. Decide on what you expect to get from your trail experience, then plan accordingly.

2. Develope a budget and stick to it. Only you know how much you can afford to spend. Allow a reserve for the unexpected, as you WILL encounter it.

3. Research the trail for yourself. Don't expect others on the forums and Yahoo Groups to just pony up the answers to all your questions. You are responsible for your own success or failure; make this YOUR hike.
 
4. Make a written route plan and calendar. Keep modifying it right up until the time you leave. Leave a copy of your plan and calendar with at least two different folks at home.

5. BE FLEXIBLE. No battle plan ever survives first contact with the enemy. The Trail Gods will screw with your plan; you can bet on it.

6. Be realistic regarding daily mileages when planning. Start low and work up. Just because you can pound out 20+ mile days on the flat parts does not mean you can do that in the mountains or on a continuous day-in, day-out basis. Fifteen mpd is a fast pace in the Sierra; 10 to 12 mpd is more reasonable as there is a huge amount of elevation gain and loss each day.

7. Avoid excess food weight. You won't eat much anyway for the first couple of weeks until your body gets used to the routine and the physical stress. Have a plan for rehydrating and electrolyte replacement and stick to it. Dehydration and/or altitude sickness (brought on in great part by dehydration) can ruin your hike fast.

8. You will not use the same gear set continuously from end to end. Factor this into your re-supply strategy. Things will wear out, get lost, or just plain won't work for you. 

9. Plan for lay-over days. You will need them. How often and where is your choice. Rule of thumb: hike 6-7 days, rest 1. Lay-overs do not necessarily have to be town stops. We took one at Evolution Creek and another at the Ida Bell Hot Springs this summer.

10. Don't be reluctant to get off the trail - for just a few days or for the rest of the season -if things turn to absolute crap. The trail is not going anywhere; it will still be there next year, and you can return refreshed, re-equipped, and more knowledgeable.


Wandering Bob





  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ellen Shopes 
  To: pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:07 AM
  Subject: [pct-l] 10 top winners


  To all you experienced thru-folks:  as a 2010 wannabe, what would you tell me are the 10 most important things to do in the months ahead to ensure a successful hike?
  Elderly Ellen
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