[pct-l] newbie questions

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Mar 17, 2009, at 9:22 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>
> 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?

Lots of people had no filter pump and did fine. I personally found it  
convenient to be able to get water from the shallowest puddles with  
my filter. Ray Jardine suggests a little piece of aluminum to form a  
collection trough, but I don't think that would actually be  
necessary. You could use your cook pot or a cup, too.
>
> 2)? For the Sierra section of the trail.? Are trekking poles enough  
> or?
> should I bring my ice axe??
There's always a big discussion. My opinion is if you don't know how  
to use an ice axe don't bother bringing one.

> I plan on hiking in trail runners (which?
> have worked marvelously so far)
Trail runners work as good as anything in the kind of snow you will  
see on the PCT.

>
> 3)? I have only purchased the PCT Data Book.? Do I need to buy the?
> other three books as well, or is this sufficient?
Some people use the Data Book and maps only and do just fine. I don't  
know how most of the silly landmarkds in the Data Book would make any  
sense without the guide book. The guide book describes what the  
landmarks actually are.