[pct-l] Geekdom: links for trail

Thu Feb 11 14:16:30 CST 2010

________________________________
From: "pct-l-request at backcountry.net" <pct-l-request at backcountry.net>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Wed, February 10, 2010 4:29:13 PM
Subject: Pct-l Digest, Vol 26, Issue 56

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Today's Topics:

   1. PLB vs SPOT (Paul Magnanti)
   2. Re: trail closure status -- San Bernardino Sheep    Fire    Closure
      (Paul Bodnar)
   3. Re: trail closure status -- San Bernardino Sheep Fire    Closure
      (Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com)
   4. Re: Geekdom: Links for trail (Jim Keener ( J J ))
   5. Re: GPS vs PLB (Austin Williams)
   6. Re: PLB vs SPOT (Austin Williams)
   7. Into the Wild (Paul Magnanti)
   8. olden days (canoeman at qnet.com)
   9. Re: Montrail shoes (Len Glassner)
  10. Buying Freeze Dried Food in Bulk (Austin Williams)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:52:12 -0800 (PST)
From: Paul Magnanti <pmags at yahoo.com>
Subject: [pct-l] PLB vs SPOT
To: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <434451.47414.qm at web112101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

An evenhanded review of these devices:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=25569

And more info than you ever wanted to know:
http://www.google.com/search?q=plb+vs+spot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

As others mentioned, they are doing a recall the Gen 2 SPOTS (that fixed the issues in Gen1)

A SPOT device is more for family and friends than for actual safety. It is what I call a "Dumbo Feather"..
something that is not really needed (in this case, to be safe), but does provide the perception of safety.
It is not needed and may even contribute to people getting into unsafe situations because
of this perceived safety.

It if is what you need to make your family/friends feel safe, then it is not a bad thing.

Just makesure you have the skills, knowledge and experience to make use of a sub-10lb kit, know how to use
your tarp, when to not go further, etc in addition to carrying this automagical devices. (cf. the young woman in
the Sierra last year).  :)

************************************************************
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.pmags.com
http://www.redbubble.com/people/pmags/
http://www.facebook.com/pmags

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:58:20 -0500
From: Paul Bodnar <paulbodnar at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] trail closure status -- San Bernardino Sheep    Fire
    Closure
To: pct-L backcountry.net <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <BLU125-W245440B41EEF8CE3AB373ED34F0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

When the alternative route is finalized I will post a free elevation profile (as a printable pdf) of the alternative route at HikeThru.com.  I will also try to include other relevant information, nearby campgrounds, road crossings, water etc. along the alternative route. 

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Paul  

>We all have to
> be cognizant and patient that no alternatives can be declared until the
> storm season is over, the trails have been reconned, and any necessary
> repairs made to allow safe passage.
> 
> L-Rod
> 

_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with powerful SPAM protection.
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------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:05:49 -0800
From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
    <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] trail closure status -- San Bernardino Sheep Fire
    Closure
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
    <2EBB41E8-DBFE-45F3-86E5-7FE9B616FD71 at santabarbarahikes.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

On Feb 10, 2010, at 2:42 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> OK, help me understand.  Will it be evident when I get here on the  
> PCT that
> the trail is closed and what I'm supposed to do?
>
> Bag Lady

In my personal experience the answer is that usually it will be  
evident the trail is closed and there will be precious little telling  
you what to do.

What I suggest you do is to write notes in your data book or whatever  
you are using. Mark it in there in the row where that location is  
listed in the data book. Keep an eye on this list for when someone  
(probably L-Rod) says what the official suggested detour is, and then  
write the complete instructions in your data book next to your note.

I did this with all important details such as road closures, fire  
closures, alternate routes I didn't want to miss and also with the  
water report. I wrote it all in my data book in pencil and that way I  
never lost the instructions.

I was able to go along my merry way without having to remember what  
was closed where, and as information became available (the grapevine  
news travels fast on the trail) I was able to erase and add new  
instructions.

Will these i-phone apps also work in the motorola droid.
------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:15:05 -0800
From: "Jim Keener ( J J )" <pct2010 at ridgetrailhiker.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Geekdom: Links for trail
To: halfmile at pctmap.net
Cc: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <9CEDBC87-548B-4C07-B35E-DD9A3D0E8362 at ridgetrailhiker.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

As usual, Mr. Mile, you go above and beyond. My humble - and I'm the humblest man I know - gratitude, sir.

What about games?  ; = )

Walk well,
Jim Keener ( J J )
_________________

jj at ridgetrailhiker.com

http://trailjournals.com/jj2010/
http://ridgetrailhiker.com
http://olderhealthier.com

On Feb 10, 2010, at 9:16 AM, Halfmile wrote:

> JJ,
> I would start with my free PCT maps from www.pctmap.net. I use Felaur
> pdf reader [$2.99] to view the maps on my iPhone. With this app you
> can download and save all my .pdf's directly into your iphone from
> http://www.pctmap.net/iphone/ (best to download with a WiFi
> connection). I always carry paper maps on the trial, but this gives
> access to maps for sections of the trail you many not be carrying or
> my maps as a backup if you are using different PCT maps for your hike.
> You can also purchase the Wilderness Press databook as a pdf from
> ecobrain.com and have it in your iPhone.
> http://www.ecobrain.com/product_info.php?it=1&products_id=2093
> 
> Check out the link on pctmap.net to a Google Doc called the PCT Phone
> Book. It has useful phone numbers and other information about various
> PCT related locations. I will be adding more numbers in the next few
> weeks. If anyone notices errors, missing numbers, etc. please let me
> know. You can also view the doc here:
> http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pS0jvh_AtcfvkdaOkMASzIg&output=html
> 
> My favorite GPS app is Basic GPS [99 cents] used with UTM grids on
> paper maps. It supports NAD27 maps datums with a $2.99 add-on. Most of
> the other iPhone GPS apps are battery-draining eye candy not suitable
> for long trails without cell reception.
> 
> Google Earth [free] can be fun and occasionally useful.
> 
> Google Latitude [free] looks to have potential for keeping track of
> your hiker friends.
> 
> Yelp app [free] good for finding reviews of nearby restaurants in larger towns.
> 
> USPS Mobile app [free] locate the post office, look up zip codes, and
> track your priority mail packages.
> 
> UPS Mobile app [free] track your UPS packages.
> 
> Facebook app [free] if you are into that sort of thing.
> 
> Accuweather app [free] weather forecasts, and pretty good weather radar.
> 
> i.wund.com site, weather forecasts, pretty good weather radar, with
> access to "personal weather stations" so you are more likely to find
> current weather conditions near the PCT.
> 
> www.forecastadvisor.com rates the accuracy of various weather forecasts.
> 
> Maybe some of the news apps from NYTimes, LATimes, USA Today, NPR, etc.
> 
> I am sure the iPhone has some photo apps to consider, but I have not
> used many of these yet.
> 
> -Halfmile
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Jim Keener ( J J )
> <pct2010 at ridgetrailhiker.com> wrote:
>> Greetings,
>> 
>> I search for links to put on the iPhone for on-trail use: ice cream vendors in Big Bear - that kind of thing. And even the more mundane.
>> 
>> Walk well,
>> Jim Keener ( J J )
> 

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:28:00 -0800
From: Austin Williams <austinwilliams123 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] GPS vs PLB
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
    <bdb32ad91002101528ifb7e976l860e0b82ef9baaa8 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

.. and I've done some playing around with Half Mile's waypoint files.

I've converted them to about two dozen different formats so you can load
them into just about any GPS device, mapping software, etc.

http://www.planyourhike.com/maps/gps.html

Have fun!

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:46:05 -0800
From: Austin Williams <austinwilliams123 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] PLB vs SPOT
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
    <bdb32ad91002101546j4e4548ect5c343cb79fd126fa at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I carry a SPOT for my family, but I think it *is* a safety device.  Of
course it won't stop you from making stupid decisions (no safety device
will). But any device that is able to dispatch S&R to your location (with a
high probability of success) in the event that you become lost and/or
seriously injured is a safety device IMO.

If Chris Mccandless had a SPOT there'd be no "Into the Wild."

Pretty much anyone who had gotten lost and/or badly injured in the
wilderness and eventually died would have considered the SPOT a safety
device... and would probably have wished they had one.  Of course, we could
say the same thing about a satellite phone.

That being said - I don't think I'd carry a SPOT if my family didn't
worry... at least not on the PCT.  Hiking the PCT is about as dangerous as
walking in Suburbia (IMO).... In fact, suburbia might be more dangerous with
all the moving vehicles.

-Austin

On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 2:52 PM, Paul Magnanti <pmags at yahoo.com> wrote:

> An evenhanded review of these devices:
>
>
> http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=25569
>
> And more info than you ever wanted to know:
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=plb+vs+spot&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
>
> As others mentioned, they are doing a recall the Gen 2 SPOTS (that fixed
> the issues in Gen1)
>
> A SPOT device is more for family and friends than for actual safety. It is
> what I call a "Dumbo Feather"..
> something that is not really needed (in this case, to be safe), but does
> provide the perception of safety.
> It is not needed and may even contribute to people getting into unsafe
> situations because
> of this perceived safety.
>
> It if is what you need to make your family/friends feel safe, then it is
> not a bad thing.
>
>  Just makesure you have the skills, knowledge and experience to make use of
> a sub-10lb kit, know how to use
> your tarp, when to not go further, etc in addition to carrying this
> automagical devices. (cf. the young woman in
> the Sierra last year).  :)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  ************************************************************
> The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust
> caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
> --Thoreau
> http://www.pmags.com
> http://www.redbubble.com/people/pmags/
> http://www.facebook.com/pmags
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
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>

-- 
Austin Williams
PlanYourHike.com

"The mountains are calling and I must go."   -John Muir

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:52:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Paul Magnanti <pmags at yahoo.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Into the Wild
To: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <577494.73138.qm at web112118.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

>>If Chris Mccandless had a SPOT there'd be no "Into the Wild." If he knew how to read a map and use a compass, there'd be no "Into the Wild" either. :D

************************************************************
The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust 
caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.pmags.com
http://www.redbubble.com/people/pmags/
http://www.facebook.com/pmags

------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:15:46 -0800
From: canoeman at qnet.com
Subject: [pct-l] olden days
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID: <1265847346.4b734c32c1241 at webmail.qnet.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Olden days, 2002,  heh, I spit out my beer,,,,
nice one 
  :-) 

he said ;

Back in the olden days (2002) we agreed to carry a PocketMail 

------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:26:28 -0800
From: Len Glassner <len5742 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Montrail shoes
To: PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
    <1862be61002101626h2b8f5261h3ca993f1207a4e85 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

A new year, new shoes.  Note that the Hardrock is no more.  A
Montrail rep says the AT Plus might be of interest.

http://montrail.com/Subcategory.aspx?top=1&cat=-1

On Tue, Feb 9, 2010 at 2:56 PM, Len Glassner <len5742 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Has anyone used the Hardrock 09 or Mountain Masochist for a long hike?
> ?I'm particularly wondering about durability and underfoot protection
> from pointy things.
>

------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:29:05 -0800
From: Austin Williams <austinwilliams123 at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Buying Freeze Dried Food in Bulk
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
    <bdb32ad91002101629w35550d11l566bf7e5d76dc49c at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hello,

Anyone wanting to incorporate freeze dried food into their trail diet might
want to consider buying it in bulk to save money.

I did this two summers back and it worked well.  There is a seller on ebay
with the username "vertumnus75".*  *She (I think it was a "she") has some
kind of wholesale deal with Mountain House.  On larger orders (like those a
thruhiker makes) there is free shipping.  Her rates are way cheaper than
survivalacres.com on all bulk purchases.

If any of her listings don't meet your needs, shoot her an email and talk to
her about it.  I did that and she set up a special (private) ebay auction
for me with the amount and kinds of meals that I needed.

Anyway, here's what I wanted to share with you:

98 pouches for $490 with free shipping (that's $5 per pouch):

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5574887679&toolid=10001&campid=5336527861&customid=&icep_item=330403711874&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

In the brick-and-mortar stores, Mountain House meals can cost anywhere
between $6 and $9 (at least here in Oregon).

There are other sales on ebay (by this and other dealers).  There are deals
for smaller and larger quantities.  But the one I listed above is the
cheapest per-pouch available anywhere (according to my research).  To get a
better per-pouch deal than that you'll have to buy about $7,000 worth of
freeze dried food... and that would just be ridiculous.

I found deals at survivalacres.com and survival-warehouse.com that are less
than $5 per pouch... but they don't have free shipping.  The shipping
charges end up making it more expensive than the ebay seller I went
through... that's why I went with her.

I ate freeze-dried meals three times per day on the trail.  I wouldn't do
that many again.... freeze dried for EVERY meal is too much.  One freeze
dried meal per day would be great.  Maybe two on some days.  But three per
day is too much IMO.  The texture and flavors didn't really get old (I had a
*very* wide variety), but having to cook *every meal* was a pain in the
butt.

Anyway, I did a *ton* of research before I bought from the seller I
mentioned above, and I just wanted to share the fruits of my labor.  I hope
it helps you save some money.

-- 
Austin Williams
PlanYourHike.com

"The mountains are calling and I must go."   -John Muir

------------------------------

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