[pct-l] The Desert

Sat Jan 8 01:14:37 CST 2011

Good point! 

I technically live in the desert. I have about a foot of snow left on my lawn from a storm a couple weeks ago and there is a slight chance of more this weekend. 

So the desert is very different at different elevations. My desert just happens to be at 7000 feet. :)

Misspellings and typos brought to you by iPhone.

On Jan 7, 2011, at 11:47 PM, jason moores <jmmoores at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> Piper,
> 
> This was an excellent addition to the desert thread. I agree wholeheartedly with your points about salty foods and over-hydrating.
> 
> I also agree that it seems almost silly to call the trail route a "desert" hike. The majority of the time the trail stays above 4,000 feet and in the mountains, which is what we would normally call high desert. As I am sure that you know (but for the benefit of those who don't), the term desert does not equate to the mental image that most picture when they hear the term-endless sand dunes. Desert refers to the amount of precipitation that falls in the region. I have no idea whether or not So.Cal is officially a desert, but it sure as hell is hot and dry. 
> 
> In '09 I hiked with an Israeli named Ido who could often could be heard scoffing,"desert? You Americans have no idea what a desert is really like". Ido probably had a point.
> 
> Jackass
> 
> 
> 
>> From: diane at santabarbarahikes.com
>> Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2011 15:26:11 -0800
>> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] The Desert
>> 
>> Jackass,
>> Good info you have shared!
>> 
>> I have lived in So Cal all my life so most of my hiking experience  
>> has been in the so-called "desert". I happen to not believe most of  
>> what people hike through on the PCT in So Cal is desert, but then  
>> hardly anybody will agree with me so I don't bother trying to  
>> convince anybody anymore.
>> 
>> Anyway, one thing I notice is that a lot of people get hyponatremia,  
>> which is when they drink too much water and get their electrolytes  
>> all out of whack. Then they start powering down cliff bars because  
>> they feel a lack of energy. Then drink more water because they are so  
>> thirsty and it's hot. They spiral out of control and get real sick  
>> and have to leave the trail.
>> 
>> My advice is to carry salty food. Don't eat cliff bars when you feel  
>> a lack of energy. Eat some Fritos or salty nuts or something. The  
>> nice thing about salty food is you have a built-in ability to self- 
>> regulate your salt content eating salty food (as opposed to taking  
>> supplements.) If you've had enough, you won't eat any more.
>> 
>> So bring the high-tech supplements and drinks if you want, but also  
>> tuck in some ordinary salty snacks. They will help a lot.
>> 
>> And on the topic of blisters. Don't feel too bad if you get blisters.  
>> I trained. I am used to the environment. I don't get a lot of  
>> blisters normally. I hit the trail in good shape. I got terrible  
>> blisters. Took me 700 miles before they finally went away. I don't  
>> know what is different about the PCT vs say the Sespe or San Rafael  
>> Wilderness, but something must be. I'm pretty sure part of what is  
>> different is the level grade and smooth tread of the PCT. It's a  
>> repetitive motion injury machine.
>> 
>> I've written about this before. What happens is you get a little  
>> blister or hot spot or something and so unconsciously you favor the  
>> hurt side. The trail will make you walk for 10 miles in a row on one  
>> side of a mountain with the trail leaning outward to one side. For 10  
>> miles. Then switch to the other side for 10 more miles. If ever there  
>> was a tool to give someone massive blisters on their little toes,  
>> this is it.
>> 
>> Now you've got these massive blisters, you are favoring one side of  
>> your body a little bit, and the level trail goes on and on  
>> relentlessly, pounding it into you until the next thing you know,  
>> your knees are killing you. Or maybe your hip or your back. It has  
>> nothing to do with your knees, your hip or back, it has to do with  
>> the slight limp you developed from something in your feet. Pretty  
>> soon you are nursing some serious shin splints or some other painful  
>> problem and are thinking about getting off the trail.
>> 
>> Take care of those foot problems as soon as you can. If you get other  
>> problems further up your body, take some time to care for your feet.  
>> Slow down if you have to. Change your shoes around. Carry spare shoes  
>> if you have to so you can have a change during the day. I hiked  
>> wearing Crocs and Flip-flops sometimes. The trail is actually not so  
>> rugged this can't be done.
>> 
>> Good luck everybody. You will find many things to like about the  
>> "desert" if you keep an open mind. No mosquitoes is one of them!
>> 
>> Diane
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