[pct-l] trail wisdom

Sun Dec 6 00:11:30 CST 2009

Thanks, Ernie for sharing the realities of your particular trail experience!

It is in the lessons learned from our trials, be they snow, rain. injury, 
weight, solo travel, or alcohol stove use, that not only we gain wisdom and 
foresight, but others can, too, when they are shared.

Mtnned
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ernie Castillo" <erniec01 at hotmail.com>
To: <bill at burge.com>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2009 4:55 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] temps

>
> First off, I have to tell you all that I am getting a kick out of reading 
> all of this dialog.
>
> Wow! Just when I was getting fed up with Al Gore, a gentle reminder of 
> these forums makes me thankful he was around to invent the Internet.
>
> (I'm kidding!!!)
>
>
>
> A word of advice. Life on the trail can be rough and tough. You never know 
> what the weather will do. In my humble opinion, it is better to travel 
> heavy and be prepared for foul weather than to travel light and wish you 
> had a map, or shelter, when you get caught in an unexpected storm.
>
> When I hiked the PCT in 1980, the snowfall in the Sierras was 200% above 
> normal.
>
> We got caught in heavy snow near Mt. Laguna, just days away from Campo.
>
> We got caught in a blizzard hours after we left Idylwild.
>
> I dispatched my tent (a 2-person Jansport Wedge that really was just big 
> enough for me and my pack) when I reached Wrightwood, trying to loosen my 
> load as I planned the decent to Acton, Mistake. Less than a day out of 
> Wrightwood, we got caught in a blizzard. Taught me a lesson. Once I got 
> back on the trail after an injury, I never griped about packing the tent.
>
> When my 3-person group had to ride out a 3-day blizzard in Desolation 
> Wilderness, we were glad we had 2 tents between us. Not to mention lots of 
> fuel.
>
> Cruising through Oregon in the summer months, the tent kept me from being 
> mosquito food. Also, there is no better sleep in the rain than a dry 
> sleep.
>
> I also carried a 35-mm camera -- heavy by today's standards-- with 2 
> lenses and, of course, film because we didn't have digital 30 years ago. I 
> also carried a plastic-bodied miniature SLR with multiple lenses but I am 
> glad I carried my 35-MM because that miniature format never made it. The 
> only images that are still usable 30 years later are those from Kodachrome 
> and Ektachrome slides.
>
> I even was so bold as to keep the full length of my tooth brush.
>
> And of course, I carried the PCT guides.
>
> Nothing against the gram counters, but after a while, I got used to the 
> heavy packs. And I was a skinny guy by all standards.
>
>
>
> So do what is right for you. If you are concerned about weight, then look 
> at all options.
>
> Plan.
>
> Ponder.
>
> Ask questions.
>
> And once you get on the trail, live with your decisions and enjoy the 
> trip. You will always have the option at re-supply points to ditch items, 
> or add items.
>
>
>
> Regarding the SPOT and other technology.
>
> I left a job as a sportswriter to hike the PCT. I kept a journal, 
> scribbling on paper notebooks, and I took lots of photos. I tinkered with 
> the idea of sending weekly dispatches for publication. But once I got 
> going, I got caught up in the PCT experience. I soon realized it was more 
> important to enjoy life on the PCT, be more than an observer or 
> photojournalist. I look back and don't have any regrets.
>
>
>
> That said, if I did it again, I would take appropriate technology to 
> communicate with friends and family. But I wouldn't let it stop me from 
> enjoying the moment.
>
> And of course, I would enjoy getting away from the rat race.
>
> Ernie Castillo
> erniec01 at hotmail.com
> 248 884 5201
>
>
>
>
>> From: bill at burge.com
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2009 18:33:30 -0800
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] temps
>>
>>
>> Saturday night, at this year's Kick Off was below freezing.
>>
>> I was preparing for sun burn, but had brought cold weather gear to "be
>> complete" and was DANG glad I had it!
>>
>> This year, I will pack better cold gear and that will almost guarantee
>> sun stroke!
>>
>> BillB
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 4, 2009, at 6:47 AM, Gary Wright wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > The right bag is different for each person due to their
>> > own body, how many clothes they are willing to wear while
>> > they sleep, and so on.
>> >
>> > I had below freezing sleeping conditions in Southern
>> > California, Sierra, Oregon, and Washington so you need
>> > to be prepared for those conditions for almost the entire
>> > length of the trail. Northern California is the section
>> > of trail that you are least likely to have cold weather
>> > but I think it is easier to just use the same gear through
>> > this section rather than manage the logistic of switching.
>> >
>> > Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of thinking that
>> > Southern California is always hot and dry. I've experienced
>> > snow and freezing rain in the Lagunas (40 miles from the
>> > border) during thru-hike season and even without precipitation
>> > it can get cold at night in the desert.
>> >
>> > Gary Wright (Radar)
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > Pct-l at backcountry.net
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>>
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