[pct-l] Pct-l Digest, Vol 27, Issue 59
BiZ
ca_saunagirl at yahoo.com
Thu Mar 11 08:27:08 CST 2010
Your bringing a baby??? That's intense but amazing at the same time!! I feel like it would be a cool family story, but think of all the extra stuff you would have to bring. At least the clothes are small and therefore would be lighter. But remeber each additional person that goes with you means more food and gear. Usually they can carry that, but..... A baby can't. How do u plan on carrying the baby as well??? I am curious....
Sent from my iPod
On Mar 10, 2010, at 6:06 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
(Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com)
2. Re: backpack solutions? (Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com)
3. Re: thanks SCA and how do I help? (Robert Snook)
4. Re: The Desert (Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com)
5. Re: To those dragging babies along while thru hiking (Jtm)
6. Re: Unfit father of a hiker baby (Eric Lee)
7. Re: Unfit father of a hiker baby (Andrea Dinsmore)
8. Re: To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
(Ryan S. Bozzell)
9. Hunting (Adam Mason)
10. Re: backpack solutions? (Yoshihiro Murakami)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:10:19 -0800
From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
<diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
<4AF05E1D-0209-4425-95A2-1E209BAB2861 at santabarbarahikes.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
I'm certainly not going to judge whether it's a good or bad idea to
bring a baby. I don't know anything about babies. But I did come
across a few creeks I actually had to swim across. Yes, the water was
over my head and I had to kick and paddle.
One was on the PCT itself (Stubblefield Creek I think) and one was on
an alternate route I decided to take (Piute Creek miles downstream
from where the PCT crosses). Both were in the Yosemite area above
Tuolumne Meadows. Most of the creeks were pretty difficult when I
came through, which was a bit earlier than most.
>From reading Zero Days, there were many alternate routes taken by
Scrambler's family so that they could avoid things that mom
considered to dangerous for her. They avoided some of the worst
creeks. They did a lot of boring road walks. I think they tried to
keep their daily mileage very low, too.
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:13:56 -0800
From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
<diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] backpack solutions?
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
<D14388C3-8EBB-42B0-9959-64E4D7A63E60 at santabarbarahikes.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
I'm always bruised on my collar bones at first, but then I get used
to it.
45 pounds sounds awfully heavy. I hope that's just training weight
and not what you're really carrying.
Diane
On Mar 10, 2010, at 1:51 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
ive been doing lots of training hikes with lots of weight in my pack.
the day after my hikes my color bones are always tender when i touch
them. when im out on the hike the pack feels great. fits perfect and
i barley notice the weight on my back. im just wondering if this is
just something i have to man up with and get used to or if i might be
wearing it wrong. any of you have tricks or tips you can share?
my pack is an Osprey Aether and i train with around 45 lbs. most of
the time.
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:16:04 -0800
From: Robert Snook <verdick at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] thanks SCA and how do I help?
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
<2d6ef3c11003101416p18e005c4jd0b3014d9f67e606 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Hehe, I see that too everytime someone mentions the SCA! "Have at thee,
underbrush!"
Society for Creative Anachronism (people who dress up in medieval garb and
such) versus Student Conservation Association (people who help maintain
trails and such), for those don't know.
Why do I have an image of young people in medieval garb hacking at the
manzanita with broadswords....got me garffing.
eckert
---- Lee Montgomery <leemontgomery12 at yahoo.com> wrote:
on a recent section hike I ran into a group of young SCA'ers brushing and
fixing the PCT, My hat is off to them and others like them. After finishing
about 150 miles of sec A and B I would like to know how I can get involved.
Please let me know if things are planned because there are places in
desperate need of work. (fallen trees and rock slides)
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------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:21:09 -0800
From: Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com
<diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] The Desert
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
<0B380457-5938-4C86-BF76-A320A0FF4264 at santabarbarahikes.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
There's not much to add. You make excellent points. Especially about
getting up early to enjoy the coolness and beauty.
I think the only thing I would add is to try to appreciate it. Too
many people treat Southern California as an obstacle to get past.
They think the real hike starts after Kennedy Meadows. Appreciate
that you're not battling mosquitoes, not being rained on, you don't
have to walk across the desert you see far below you from the lofty
crest, there's no humidity and this year there will likely be
abundant wildflowers. Everyone has the fire in their eyes at this
point. You'll come really close to the Condor Sanctuary just after
visiting the Andersons. Maybe you'll see one. In many ways, the start
of the trail is the best time on the trail.
Diane
On Mar 10, 2010, at 8:38 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
The discussions on water and mistakes got me thinking about the
number of people who fall off the trail before reaching the Sierra.
The first few hundred miles of any long walk can be the most
difficult. On the PCT that difficulty is amped by starting in the
desert. Last year we hiked with/around several hikers that had trouble
adjusting to the desert and came upon two different hikers who were
dangerously sick. Strong hikers with thousands of trail miles
crippled by blisters, exhaustion and dehydration.
I've had the pleasure of living in Northern Arizona and Southern
Utah and have come to love the desert even more deeply than big
mountains. The SoCal desert is too beautiful a place to be
miserable in. My hope is to get a discussion going on things we've
learned from hiking in the desert. What helped get you through to
the Sierra.
To get it goin'-
Start eartly- I'm not a morning person but in the desert I try to
be hiking by 5:00/5:30. With 10 miles done before the heat of the
day sets in leaves me the option of "layin' up" in the afternoon if
the temps exceed 100. With an early stat I don't have to push
myself as hard to make my miles before dark. This gives me time to
take longer brakes to wash and air my feet/change socks. Also,
early morning is the most beautiful time of day in the desert, it
makes the hot afternoon a bit more tolerable.
Water- As a rule of thumb I carry a liter/three miles I need to
walk, adjusting as needed. I plan long breaks at water sources to
"tank up" on an extra liter before pushing on(one less to carry).
One electrolyte drink a day is usually enough to keep me balanced
(along with food). One of the most accurate gauges of my hydration
is how often I am urinating. If I've drank four liters of water in
the past several hours and I don't need to pee, then something is
up. Not enough water or my electrolytes are off. Low volume of
urine is also an indicator of a problem. Usually, a low grade
headache is the first sign that I need more water.
Food-My appetite shrinks in direct proportion to the rising heat of
the day. You have to find a few things that you can stomach no
matter how hot it is. For me it's mixed nuts. No matter how hot I
get I can always choke down a few handfuls. Your body is burning
calories like crazy to keep you cool. Eating frequently reduces my
mood swings and keeps me from crashing at the end of the day. I
can't stress enough how big a difference there is between eating
three meals a day or eating every hour. Replacing calories as fast
as you burn them maintains your physical and mental strength. This
is just as important as staying hydrated.
Training- I don't care what shoes you buy or what new cool gear you
are carrying, if you show up to the border out of shape you will
suffer for it. I have often read the statements that you can just
show up to the border, point your feet north and everything will
work out. People do it every year. I would bet that if you asked
these same people at the end of it all what they would do
differently they'd say, "train". I know that my fiance learned
that lesson the hard way last year. Even if you show up to the
border in great shape you can expect to deal with some blisters, be
exhausted at the end of the day and suffer the aches and pains of
your body adjusting to the long miles/days. It took Molasses 600
miles for her body/feet to stop hurting her to the point of misery.
All of the pre hike planning is great but strategies wont get you
through the first 100 miles healthy. Why spend weeks dealing with
pain and discomfort that could be dealt with before the border. If
you want t
o enjoy the desert show up ready to hike.
O.K., I think you'll agree that I've gone on long enough. Please
feel free to add to or detract from anything I've said.
jason
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:28:24 -0500
From: Jtm <jtmlite at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
To: "Ryan S. Bozzell" <RBozzell at vailresorts.com>,
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <4b981cfa.1408c00a.1872.ffffe953 at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Excellent idea! Maybe a hiking pole zip line for the larger streams.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan S. Bozzell <RBozzell at vailresorts.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 3:08 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
They could just have one person cross first and then just toss the baby across. LOL!
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------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:41:20 -0800
From: "Eric Lee" <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Unfit father of a hiker baby
To: <dnlcyclone at aol.com>, <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <BAY124-DS10BCC195DE25BF43DF0AA4BD330 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
David wrote:
In reply to "not knowing how tought the PCT is.": I give up. You're right.
I know nothing. Thru-hike the Pacific Northwest Trail, and please, please,
please tell me how tough a trail is.
If you're a reasonable, capable, experienced hiker who can make good choices
(and it sounds likely that you are) then I'm sure you and your family will
have a great time and you'll have an amazing story to tell. I look forward
to hearing about it.
However, you have to understand our perspective. I'm not sure what kind of
reaction you expected to get from the list, but you have to understand that
we see a lot of people come through here with wildly unrealistic
expectations of what the PCT is and what long-distance hiking is. People
who intend to thru-hike in mid-winter, or people who intend to hunt and
gather all of their food along the way, or people who intend to hike
Washington in September without any tent or rain gear of any kind.
They announce their "crazy" scheme here on the list expecting us to be
impressed and applaud them. Every once in awhile they happen to be that one
person in a thousand who can actually do it. But the vast majority of the
time they're just idiots who don't have the faintest idea what they're
talking about. Sitting on the other side of a keyboard, it can be hard to
tell which is which, you know?
Now, there are no PCT police and anyone is free to do anything they want to
do to. The people here aren't judge and jury. But if you come on to the
list and announce that you're going to do something that raises people's
eyebrows, you should be prepared to get some reality checks. It's not
personal - how can it be? No one knows who you are. It's just us figuring
the statistical odds and telling you that they don't look good.
In your specific situation, you and your wife thru-hiked the PNWT. That's
huge. It's half the length of the PCT but a lot less developed so it seems
that you ought to have at least as much trail-cred as anyone here. Ok,
great. On the other hand, lots of people have trouble just keeping
themselves in one piece while thru-hiking the PCT, let alone a toddler as
well. I don't know how you'd expect us to *not* point that out. If you've
thought about it and are sure you know what you're getting into, then go
ahead and do it regardless of what anyone says.
In my personal opinion, the overall safety of your family probably hinges on
one key point: are you heading out committed to a thru-hike or are you
headed out to have a great family experience on the PCT? If you're
tunnel-visioned on Canada then, yeah, the odds are you'll make stupid, risky
choices along the way. I know that because thru-hikers make stupid, risky
choices every year. But if you're going into it with no hard-and-fast goals
and are willing to alter your plans in response to the conditions you find
on the trail, then great! I'm sure you'll have a good time.
Eric
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:46:19 -0800
From: Andrea Dinsmore <zaqueltooocool at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Unfit father of a hiker baby
To: Eric Lee <saintgimp at hotmail.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
<f2a521471003101446n44c7de8cgb3dbc265a4fb2382 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Very well said.
PCT MOM
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:48:58 -0700
From: "Ryan S. Bozzell" <RBozzell at vailresorts.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
To: "Pct-l at backcountry.net" <Pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
<7F884A6D1E48554090979B54CA60AB2037688C9099 at EXCHANGECMS.vailresorts.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Yeah! See there is already advise coming thru here on how to do this. Good luck to you folks attempting this with a baby. It's a very interesting challenge and I hope to see you guys out there to see how it goes.
Cheers
Ryan
-----Original Message-----
From: Jtm [mailto:jtmlite at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 3:28 PM
To: Ryan S. Bozzell; pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: RE: [pct-l] To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
Excellent idea! Maybe a hiking pole zip line for the larger streams.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan S. Bozzell <RBozzell at vailresorts.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 3:08 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] To those dragging babies along while thru hiking
They could just have one person cross first and then just toss the baby across. LOL!
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------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:03:55 -0800
From: Adam Mason <amason.ml at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Hunting
To: "Pct-l at backcountry.net" <Pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <7308900B-C03D-4FB5-A44A-CA190B730CD5 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Has anyone hunted on the PCT? I have a 2.5 lbs .22 rifle its small and
compact. Probably 3 lbs with ammo. Does anyone think it's worth it?
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:06:46 +0900
From: Yoshihiro Murakami <completewalker at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] backpack solutions?
To: ryan clark <ryanoxie at mac.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID:
<1d0051e01003101506t4e444410s2e860915a2c0f497 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
I think the long distance hiking is the repetition of 5 days short
hiking. If you had no trouble in the short hiking, you will have no
trouble in the long distance hiking. But, there is a trouble.
something wrong with your pack.
1. Please check the sizing and fitting of your pack.
http://www.ospreypacks.com/PackTech/SizingandFitting
2. If size is OK, then check the shape of shoulder harness. If you
feel something odd, please consult the professionals. There is many
gender specific harness. You can exchange only the shoulder harness.
P.S. I always carry 45 lbs or more. I am enjoying. I am a section
hiker, no problem. If you feel happy in a 5 days hike, it is OK. But,
if you feel fatigue, you should try to decrease your pack weight.
2010/3/11 ryan clark <ryanoxie at mac.com>:
ive been doing lots of training hikes with lots of weight in my pack.
the day after my hikes my color bones are always tender when i touch
them. when im out on the hike the pack feels great. fits perfect and
i barley notice the weight on my back. im just wondering if this is
just something i have to man up with and get used to or if i might be
wearing it wrong. any of you have tricks or tips you can share?
my pack is an Osprey Aether and i train with around 45 lbs. most of
the time.
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--
Sincerely
--------------- --------------------------------------
Hiro ( Yoshihiro Murakami )
HP:http://psycho01.edu.u-toyama.ac.jp
http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/CompleteWalker/
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
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