[pct-l] Cold feet!

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

Jettison your buddies right now before they ruin your hike. You will  
find way better hiking buddies out on the trail, maybe even on the  
first day. Even if they come with you, have an agreement ahead of  
time that anyone can be free to separate from the group to do their  
own thing at any time. Be completely self-sufficient so that this is  
easily possible.

On Jan 15, 2013, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> From: Jonathon Howry <jon.howry at gmail.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Cold feet!
>
> Me and 2 friends have been planning for a PCT thru hike for about 7  
> months
> now. All equipment is bought and only thing left is saving more  
> money for
> food and transport from FL to Campo. Both friends are now getting  
> cold feet
> on attempting the hike because of money reasons. I'm personally  
> hell bent
> on completing the hike and financially I'm confident I've got  
> enough, but
> really feel I need them with me to do it (best friends provide  
> great moral
> boosts for each other!). Can you guys offer any advice on cost of  
> food,
> expecting all 3 of us to have great discipline on town food/hotels,
> sticking strictly to the trail and our resupply boxes, we've  
> already got a
> lot of food saved, and some cash saved. I know we can avoid the  
> towns, with
> that what have some of you all spent on food for a thru hike? I  
> know they
> want to but are now doubting themselves, and their bank accts! AND,  
> the
> other two are asking about the AT in comparison as far as cost to  
> complete.
> The AT isn't appealing to me in the least this year. I want the PCT  
> and
> think we can afford it, just don't know how to show that to my  
> buddies.