[pct-l] Why Hike Wet at all?

[LOUIE KROLL]

I think planning to skip a bunch of hiking in the rain is most realistic.

I appreciated the process of elimination that you wrote in coming to 
your conclusions.

If I may, the main point you made is one I would re-emphasize...If you 
don't budget the time, there's no point in talking about the pros and 
cons of staying indoors when the weather comes crashing down because you 
won't have the time or the option anyway.  Furthermore, the time spent 
in bivy can be used to repair gear, take the time to make something 
special to eat you wouldn't otherwise take the time to do (baking), 
finish or begin letters, or just get some well needed rest.

Lastly, a journey of this scale should include the options to peak bag, 
go fishing, explore off trail, or spend an extra half day cleaning up 
and laying on a rock.  Some of those days might or might not involve 
rain/snow layovers, but at least if you plan for them, you'll have a 
slew of options throughout your journey that the "must make twenty five 
miles a day crowd" will never have.

I say, start early, have some snow skills, and get ahead of the curve.  
Then and only then can you buy those days off when the tarp is dripping, 
the wind is whipping and you can say, "@#%# it", I'm going back to bed.