[pct-l] Carrying weapons

[Reinhold Metzger]

Kellie wrote:
Hi all,   I'm a single female hiking the PCT in 2012 and have had a few 
folks recommend I carry a weapon (mainly, a gun). I'm opposed to this, 
but want to get the opinion of other hikers.   Would you or do you carry 
a weapon?
-----------------------------------------
Reinhold responds:
Kellie, a little gun will not stop a grizz or lion....you need something 
with more stopping power.

A  ''BAZOOKA''  is much more effective against bears or grizzlies.

Another option, with much stopping power, is a front loading ''CANNON''.
Bring at least 10 cannon balls and a large sack of black powder.
Keep the cannon loaded at all times and matches at the ready.

Now, with a  ''FLAME THROWER''  you will have the most feared infantry 
weapon at your disposal.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, including bears or Switchback want to get hit 
by a flame thrower.
The other good thing about the flame thrower....you will not need to 
carry a stove, fuel, or pots and pans because the flame thrower will 
instantly BBQ anything you hit.
You may, however, want to carry a five gallon fire extinguisher to 
extinguish any forest fires you might accidentally start.

So, if you see Switchback running through the bushes with his rear end 
on fire, you will know you hit the
"BULLS EYE''.
Although, Switchback is hard to miss, he has a rather good 
sized...aahh...uuhh...''BULLS EYE''.

JMT Reinhold
The weapons expert