[pct-l] Beginning in March

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I kept myself clean just wetting a bandana and washing my legs and  
feet that way. You only need about half a cup of water. Please  
whatever you do, do NOT use the water tanks to wash yourself off.  
This is unbelievably rude.

To clean my pot I scraped it with my spoon and rinse water and drank  
the rinse water.

As for toilet paper, I used a small squeeze bottle filled with water  
and just hosed myself down rather than use TP after number 1. I did  
the same for number 2 (plus used natural materials) but most people  
will refuse to do that. I also made a Lady J-like device out of a  
Wishbone salad dressing bottle so I could pee standing up in the rain  
or mosquitoes.

I carried 5 liters capacity on my first hike through the desert. When  
I came back a second time I realized that this was too much because I  
never ever came close to drinking it all. So I brought 3 liters and  
that worked fine for me. I had really hot temps the first time and  
really cool temps the second time. I'm from Southern California, I'm  
used to the climate, I'm not afraid to be thirsty, I don't believe  
that being thirsty means anything stupid like you're already too  
dehydrated or any of that other conventional bull-crap meant to sell  
sports drinks.

I brought diet lemonade powder so that I could force a liter of water  
into me at any water source. That's a liter I wouldn't need to carry,  
and since I might already be a little thirsty, it was usually  
welcomed. And no, I never just peed it all out.

On Jan 15, 2013, at 8:20 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> From: Nikki Eddy <nikkieddy at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [pct-l] Beginning in March
>
> Hi there,
>
> This is my first post so I hope this works! :)? We are going to  
> begin the PCT starting at Campo in mid-March. We're obviously in  
> the planning/preparation stages and have a couple of questions for  
> you folks who have experience with this trail:
>
> 1) For the desert areas, I know that it can get pretty cold at  
> night. I have a 30+ bag...should I buy a liner?
> 2) Do you have any advice or tips about water in terms of how much  
> you typically carry at one time, and what you recommend for storage?
> 3) I love cleanliness and efficiency...any tips you have to offer  
> that work well in regards to gear, personal hygene, or other tips  
> you have for the long-distance hiker are encouraged and welcomed!
>
> Happy trails!
>
> NE