[pct-l] newbie questions

[patti kulesz]

Adam ur crazy hiking barefoot on the cement road...that's definintly a close as u'll get to the dessert if it's hot there...don't forget to throw in some rattlers along the way, LOL I haven't hiked the entire trail yet myself, but have done many sections in CA. This is mostly info I got off here in the past year...hope it helps

Alot of people just use the tabs and are fine with it. U can spoon or scoop ur water in those situations, many people do. It just takes ALOT of patience and more time than a pump, so make sure u don't run out b/c then u have to let the tabs sit for 35 minutes after u finally get ur container filled.

As for the shoes. Most people I think wear trail runners or similar. I am, but when I get to KM I am changing out to gortex boots b/c I don't like being cold and/or wet. I don't care about the extra weight in that case. I am training in those anyways, so I am used to it now. As long as my feet are dry and warm I will be happy....otherwise I will be bitching (mostly to myself I am assuming) all the way!

for question # 3, I am thinking as long as u have a map with the data book u should be fine. Check out Halfmiles maps...then u can just throw whatever ones u need for the section u are doing in ur resupply box and send the ones u dont need anymore home...or trash them.

























patti

--- On Tue, 3/17/09, Adam Ruff <acruff01 at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Adam Ruff <acruff01 at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l]  newbie questions
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 8:56 AM

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)






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