[pct-l] Cross-country off-trail

[trail-name-soon]

Apparently I missed something or did I land on the wrong list? 

What I read were some well-advised comments based on professional, in-depth,
and first-hand experience. 

Ned even gave you high kudos for your skills.
 
It was even-handed advice and seemed well-considered for a broad audience of
skill-levels.  

I'm not saying your advice was bad because I have no on-site experience.

I do, however, have enough backcountry experience to know that I'd follow
Ned on any backcountry trek.

Keep the practical advice coming, Ned. 

Hasta la pasta

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Stephen
Sent: Friday, February 06, 2009 12:10 AM
To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com; Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
Cc: PCT MailingList
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Cross-country off-trail

Ned, what are you reading? Are you OK?  Your response was out of line with 
what I wrote.  And watch the tone and attitude.  All bets are off next time 
got it?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
To: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Cc: "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:35 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Cross-country off-trail


> Hi, Diane,
>
> I just get concerned that hikers are going to wander off and get 
> themselves
> into trouble. The idea of leaving the trail and forging your own way is
> exciting, but in practice can be much slower and harder. However, if you 
> can
> visualize the route and see that it is largely above timberline, along a
> grassy creek, and the destination lake is not far, then go check it out.
> I've had the best times exploring new routes to off-trail lakes, finding
> campfire rings there (obviously I wasn't the first there and as a ranger 
> had
> to remove them and "naturalize" the area), and watching huge fish just
> floating about (I tried to catch them with a rudimentary fishing rig to no
> avail-ended up throwing rocks at them in frustration!).
>
> Some of the passes discussed, like Alpine Col out of upper Evolution 
> Valley,
> are not that easy. But if you have the time (key expression), and want to
> link off-trail routes between existing trails, that one is a good shortcut
> into Piute Basin, Golden Trout Lake, and trail routes north into the Inyo 
> on
> the east side. Just beware of the "bouldering" you may have to do in going
> over those off-trail passes and cols.
>
> That's why I prefer to cross them on snow in the early Spring when the 
> snow
> is more stable-no huge boulder fields and all is smooth (except for those
> darn sun cups!).
>
> Mtnned
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
> To: <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com>
> Cc: "Stephen" <reddirt2 at earthlink.net>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 10:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Cross-country off-trail
>
>
>> Not to worry. I have no plans to go cross-country. But Stephen's
>> description piqued my interest. I enjoy thinking up alternate routes 
>> even
>> if I don't do them. Locating them is half the fun.
>>
>> In my local area I do sometimes go off-trail. But it is very hard to  do
>> since you really can't walk through chaparral without a trail. I  have a
>> great sense of direction, by the way.
>>
>> Diane
>>
>> On Feb 5, 2009, at 7:23 PM, <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Just a few thoughts on the subject of thru hikers going cross- country
>>> and Stephen's expertise on the subject.
>>> ...
>>
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>>
>>
>
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