[pct-l] Fw: 5 months ride using part of the PCT

[Dorian]

Hello Ed,

thank you for taking so much time to answer me. I really appreciate all
these advices and they are helping me a lot so that I don't make some big
mistakes.

I will be reading throughtfully the Stockman forum, and update you as soon
as I know how I will plan my route. Seeing how this seem difficult, I will
perhaps take an other way, even if the PCT seems like the most beautiful and
wonderful trail in USA. Nevertheless, I will search strongly a way to do a
part of it, perhaps by renting a horse trailer if needed. For now, I'm
especially searching for a good starting point, probably in Montana or
Wyoming, so that I can gather the horses and take some time to get to know
them and train them a bit about some camping techniques (like pastern
tying).

About the idea of taking only one horse, I'm a bit uncomfortable with it.
>From my short experience in long trail, a horse alone tend to be depressed.
On the other hand, your horse seems to have manage that by seeing you as his
herd.

Thank you also to put me in touch with Susan, I look forward to discuss with
her. She looks like someone exceptional.

Kindest regards,

Dorian Bannier

2011/5/11 Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>

> Hello Dorian,
>
> Unfortunately, most of the "good" parts to ride that you seek would be very
> difficult for you to access without the assistance of someone with a horse
> trailer. The PCT north of Seiad Valley that I have told you about
> immediately came to mind. Not that it will necessarily be easy for the
> entire distance.  Down trees will be a reality.  When I passed through
> Crater Lake N.P. the trail had recently been cleared.  When the Fosters went
> through in 2004 and when Susan Bates did in 2010 they describe many, many
> downed trees. You will need a saw in several areas.
>
> Long Rider Susan Bates might be your best single source of information (she
> rode most of the PCT in 2009 and 2010) because her way of going was very
> different from mine. At HIS insistence, her well-meaning husband followed
> her and met her at many locations. He often picked her up and they stayed at
> various horse facilities. She came to realize that going alone and being
> more independent, as I did, would be simpler and a lot less stressful since
> staying on schedule can be very difficult on the PCT. Read about it on the
> Postholer forum that I have told you about.
>
> Susan had originally decided to bring a pack horse.  Then, following my
> advice, she decided that going with just one horse was a better approach -
> and that's what she did.  Unless you are a very heavy person you will only
> need one horse. It is simpler, safer, and less expensive.
>
> Susan, being the intrepid rider that she is, is right now riding the New
> Mexico part of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT). Every day I, and nine
> others, get her GPS location by SPOT satellite. This summer, assuming that
> the snow melts enough, she wants to ride the Sierra that she has missed - as
> I did.
>
> Susan has done a lot of research on all kinds of horse facilities near the
> PCT that she and her husband stayed at. Some of these undoubtedly will be
> willing to rent a horse(s) to you to ride parts of the trail.
>
> Susan and I co-moderate the Stockman Forum on Postholer. She originally
> created it. Be sure to check out her "itinerary".  She didn't follow it
> herself but it includes the results of her extensive research and might be
> helpful to you.
>
> Something else for you to consider is the need to purchase saddle (be sure
> to buy a saddle with flexible bars so that it will fit properly on different
> horses), tack, packs, etc that you will need on the trail. If you decide to
> rent a car you would be able to bring them, and also your food and horse
> feed to various places from where you could rent a horse(s) near the PCT.
>
> When Susan returns from her N.M CDT adventure perhaps you can communicate
> and benefit from the wisdom that she acquired during her PCT rides. I am
> sending this communication to her so you will be able to connect.
>
> Kind Regards,
> MendoRider/Ed Anderson
>
> ----- Forwarded Message ----
> *From:* Dorian <dorian.bannier at gmail.com>
> *To:* mendoridered at yahoo.com
> *Sent:* Mon, May 9, 2011 3:28:06 PM
> *Subject:* 5 months ride using part of the PCT
>
> Hello,
>
> I'm a 26 french guy who is planning a 5 months trail with two horses in 1
> month and an half.
> I'm quite an experienced horse rider, and I would like to know if you would
> be kind enough to point me what part of the PCT is managable on horse? I
> don't want really to do the whole PCT, just use it for the good parts, and
> avoiding it for all the two hard and dangerous parts. Your experience would
> be very valuable for me in order to do that.
> Would you accept to take contact with me to discuss these matters?
>
> Thank you.
>