[pct-l] planning priorities

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

On Nov 13, 2010, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> So my question is... what things do you all think I should worry about
> first?
Don't worry about any of it. Don't over plan. Don't buy all your food  
in advance. Buy a few special items that are hard to find (such as  
the freeze-dried stuff) and ship only those. Never buy anything in  
advance you can find in a small grocery store or convenience store.  
Your food preferences may change. You don't want to have wasted a lot  
of money on food you don't like or that goes stale or that doesn't  
need to be shipped. Best thing you can get is a list of towns and  
what services are available. You can do all your planning and  
shipping as you go up the trail using that list.

Use your homemade tarp/bug net. If you don't like it, order something  
else via the Internet. Have it shipped to someone who can mail it to  
you General Delivery. This goes for any of your gear. You can swap  
out any gear you need to as you go up the trail. You may also have a  
few opportunities to actually shop in person for gear as you go up  
the trail. Remember, you aren't going to the moon.

Better time is spent getting in shape. Go for lots of hikes between  
now and when you leave. Go on some backpack trips. Do day hikes with  
your gear. Test everything at home if you have to.

>
> I realize that there are no right or wrong answers to this question.
You are right. Many people will vehemently disagree with me.