[pct-l] newbie questions

[Adam Ruff]

Long time listener, first time poster...

I'm planning on launching out of Campo around April 20th and am  
wondering about a couple of things.  I've done mostly 3-5 day trips  
and know that I am biting off a whole lot more with the PCT, so I've  
been training by hikiing with my pack barefoot on the street for 3  
miles and then on trails for mini 2 day outings of 30-40 miles, trying  
to give all my gear a test run, but the main conditions that I can't  
simulate are snow pack and desert (shocking I know).

So, I'm hoping that someone here could help me with a couple of  
questions:

1)  For the southern portion of the trail (Campo to Kennedy Meadows) I  
have a 100 oz res. but it isn't big mouth and to save weight I'm using  
Cl tablets.  However, what I'm worried about is that most of the  
springs in the south need a pump in order to pull the water from them  
and that my technique here in KY of just dropping the res. in the  
stream is not an option.  Can someone help me confirm this and whether  
there is another option besides buying a pump.

2)  For the Sierra section of the trail.  Are trekking poles enough or  
should I bring my ice axe?  I plan on hiking in trail runners (which  
have worked marvelously so far) but the box doesn't even think to say  
"don't cross snowfields in these" so I'm wondering if I need to trade  
out shoes at KM.  Thoughts on this and if i'm going to trade out  
shoes, any recs?

3)  I have only purchased the PCT Data Book.  Do I need to buy the  
other three books as well, or is this sufficient?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out.

Regards,

Adam (having not done the trail I don't think I am allowed to assign  
myself a nickname)