[pct-l] Grid, Graph, Spreadsheet in Preparation and During Hike

[t.n. turner]

In 2004 when my Dad was going to hike with me for the first 500 or so miles, he came up with an Excel spreadsheet for us. He then had to back out due to arthritis, but I have used that spreadsheet for my 2004 aborted trip, my 2007, 1600-ish miles and then again for the 1100-ish in 2008. 
BUT, my main reason for using it was so that my "logistics manager" at home knew how many days of food he needed to put in a box and where to mail it to!! It mostly worked out, we had a few USPS snafus, otherwise things went well. My family and friends used it to as a guide to when I might be somewhere to get their care packages!! 
I have to agree with Radar though, Nature is a much better motivator to keeping you on schedule! 

Tammy T.

> Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 18:22:15 -0700
> From: sbryce at scottbryce.com
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Grid, Graph, Spreadsheet in Preparation and During Hike
> 
> E A wrote:
> > When preparing for the PCT did anyone write up a spreadsheet,
> 
> I created an HTML page with a table of resupply points, expected arrival
> dates, distance to the next resupply and the number of days worth of
> food I planned to carry from that resupply. The HTML page was created
> using a CGI script that took various variables as input, in a manner
> similar to Craig's PCT Planner. That way, at any point along the trail,
> I could plug in updated information and create an updated general itinerary.
> 
> The primary purpose for the itinerary was to help my resupply person
> know when to mail resupply packages. I also used it to determine how
> much food to put in each resupply package. I carried a copy, along with
> a list of resupply point addresses.
> 
> I aborted my hike early, so I can't tell you whether carrying either of
> these was a good idea. I can tell you that when I ordered new shoes in
> Warner Springs and had them sent to Idyllwild, I sent them to the
> Idyllwild Inn rather than the PO, even though I had the address for the
> PO on my list. IIRC, the shoe site would not ship to a general delivery
> address.
> 
> > something of that sort which they mailed to themselves which told
> > them how far they were expected to walk that day
> 
> The distance walked each day (except for day 1 when water and desire to
> avoid contact with illegals dictated that I hike to Lake Morena) was
> determined by my state of exhaustion and the diminishing daylight near
> the end of the day. I had no day-to-day mileage plans, only a general
> idea when I planned to be at the next resupply point. Even that was
> subject to change at any time.
> 
> > or outlined the section as the major water points etc?
> 
> The Water Report and Yogi's guide were consulted. I made notations on
> Yogi's guide about which water sources I planned to use. I did not plan
> water sources beyond the next resupply point. The only reason I planned
> that far in advance is so I didn't have to think about it while hiking.
> 
> I started the hike using just Yogi's guide to determine my water
> strategy. I learned the value of the Water Report when I arrived at
> Boulder Oaks campground and found that the water had been turned off.
> Fortunately, I only had to backtrack 1/2 mile to get water.
> 
> > If so can someone forward me a copy of how they set this up so I can
> > go about making something that I could use as a quick reference...
> 
> My itinerary is here:
> http://scottbryce.com/pct/pct_resupply.html
> 
> The notations at the bottom are the data that were used, along with the
> date I started at Campo, to generate the itinerary.
> 
> The form used to input the information is here:
> http://scottbryce.com/pct/cgi-bin/pct_resupply.pl
> 
> The form is password protected so only myself and my resupply person can
> update my itinerary.
> 
> > Or is this just a complete waste of time.
> 
> Having a general plan is important. Planning daily mileages is a waste
> of time. Even your general plan will change during your hike.
> 
> A few years ago someone started a PCT through hike carrying a detailed
> plan outlining miles hiked each day, water sources used along the entire
> trail, and camping locations for each day. He won the most useless gear
> contest at the Kickoff. He beat out a girl who was carrying an eyelash
> curler.
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