[pct-l] Pct-L Digest, Vol 80, Issue 6 Gear
Janette Storer
janettestorer at yahoo.com
Wed Aug 6 16:33:49 CDT 2014
That is the best "Gear" story. Ever.
And yes, that last sentence is profound.
Thank you.
Janette Storer
On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 10:00 AM, "pct-l-request at backcountry.net" <pct-l-request at backcountry.net> wrote:
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Today's Topics:
1. Tom, please add me to your LinkedIn network
(Jesse Baldwin via LinkedIn)
2. Rock Pass washout (WA section L)? (Tom Grundy)
3. Gear (Jeffrey Olson)
4. Have you hiked the AT, PCT, and CDT? (Jackie McDonnell)
5. Re: Rock Pass washout (WA section L)? (Gail Van Velzer)
6. Re: Rock Pass washout (WA section L)? (Jim & Jane Moody)
7. Re: Rock Pass washout (WA section L)? (Gail Van Velzer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 19:19:40 +0000 (UTC)
From: Jesse Baldwin via LinkedIn <member at linkedin.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Tom, please add me to your LinkedIn network
To: "Tom F." <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
<1114181725.110688948.1407266380694.JavaMail.app at ela4-app7996.prod>
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LinkedIn
------------
Jesse Baldwin requested to add you as a connection on LinkedIn:
------------------------------------------
Tom,
I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn.
- Jesse
Accept invitation from Jesse Baldwin
http://www.linkedin.com/e/oiklz2-hyhm2gsx-1t/XcFJoI2IsJXkooErd4HJ9inoLJqFdu65Ms/blk/I816363947_60/3wOtCVFbmdxnSVFbm8JrnpKqlZJrmZzbmNJpjRQnOpBtn9QfmhBt71BoSd1p65Lr6lOfP0SnPsQejcScPoNe4ALsSxgsztepDsLdj0RdjcRcz8Mcz4LrCBxbOYWrSlI/eml-comm_invm-b-in_ac-inv28/?hs=false&tok=3grf6elV7DUCk1
View profile of Jesse Baldwin
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------------------------------------------
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------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 18:27:04 -0700
From: Tom Grundy <caver456 at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
To: PCT listserve <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
<CAHoktUAC2XyT4sXKimjATu=1MGBLRiX27qLxnBmQc5ufAV8Haw at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Thanks for the info on transport and such around Stevens Pass. Another
question:
what's the latest scoop on the washout(s) north of Rock Pass? Would you
recommend the detour for a couple of semi-timid hikers with an
(over?)active sense of self-preservation?
Here's the route of the detour we got from one narrative description:
http://caltopo.com/map?id=7C56
Looks like the detour is something around 20 miles, and bypasses 13.8 miles
or so of PCT, so it adds 6-8 miles?
Are there any other detours / alternates around there? Any opinions on how
nice that detour is?
Thanks in advance.
-Tom
Nevada City CA
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 20:38:10 -0700
From: Jeffrey Olson <philos56 at live.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Gear
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Message-ID: <53E1A322.3050308 at live.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
My folks started us (three kids) backpacking with a trip in 1961 into
the Eagle Cap Wilderness. We hiked in, set up the 20' x 12' clear
plastic tarp and lived in it for two days while it rained. The previous
two summers they'd horse/mule packed us into the Marble Mountain
Wilderness - once to Cliff Lake for two weeks, and the next year to the
Wright Lakes. So many memories...
One of the strongest is of a backcountry ranger stripping down to his
birthday suit and bathing in Cliff Lake. He took a bar of soap out
there and spent 20 minutes scrubbing and washing. We could see the
circle of soap/bubbles dissipate in the lake.
The two days under the tarp was all about staying sane. Even at 9 years
old I knew I had to behave. When the rain abated, we met a sheep herder
who put our packs on his mules and dropped them off at our car at the
trailhead.
My Dad died over Labor Day in 2009. The last time I backpacked with him
was in 1987 when he was my age, 62. Already the TIAs (transient
ischemic attacks - minor strokes) were changing him.
My brother in law and I were lounging on the east side of Falls Creek,
three or four miles below Dorothy Lake, drinking bourbon and feeling
fine. My Dad had been fly fishing for the previous hour - downstream of
our camp. Steve and I watched him trod by 50' across the creek on the
trail. We expected he'd look up and see us, cross the creek, and put
some bourbon in his Sierra Club cup.
15 minutes passed and no Dad. He'd already established he was pretty
spaced and Steve and I were responsible for his safety. I swore and
danced across the creek on rocks to the trail. I had four or five
ounces of bourbon in me and didn't feel like running. I was a bit
resentful I had to look out for him. Nonetheless, I kept up a fast
paced walk that folded over into jogging a couple times.
After 10 minutes of walking my concern solidified a bit - I had a tight
feeling in my chest. I don't worry. It's not part of my
being-in-the-world. But I was definitely feeling a bit uncertain.
The forest along Falls Creek is a bunch of 30' pines and there is lots
of granite. On a long section hike in 1995 I met a guy along Falls
Creek who had adopted Ray Jardine's system hook line and sinker. He
left Campo on June 1. He was about to catch up to the herd. I shared
this story with him then, and I could see him add it to his storybook of
interesting experiences along the trail.
I followed a mellow bend in the trail and there my Dad was, standing in
the middle of the trail. "Hey Dad - what's up?"
The look in his eyes was really scary. It was one of the first times I
saw how deeply the TIAs had affected him. "I'm going to camp" he said,
his eyes diffused, unfocused.
"Well, it's back down the trail" I said, pointing south. I don't
remember the specifics after that. I do remember actually physically
helping walk down the trail, holding his arm above the elbow, like you
would an old person. We spent 15 minutes getting back to camp. He
found focus with bourbon and dinner and conversation.
I titled this post, "Gear" because I haven't bought any in over a year.
That's a record for me. 18 months ago I bought an ultralight inflatable
neo mattress. It replaced my blue ensolite pad, which had replaced a
compacted blue closed cell pad, which had replaced a gray thermarest
closed cell foam pad. I own at least eight generations of sleeping
pads, and now, use only the ultralight thermarest neo pad. When I moved
from Rapid City SD to Arcata CA I gave away mattresses I'd used in the 70s.
For my adult life I haven't had much money. I never got married and
never had children. Money was never important. Yet, I always had good
quality backpacking gear. Whether it was moving up from my camptrails
pack - the big sack - the one Colin Fletcher used - to the Kelty Super
Tioga - to the Jansport D-3, and a couple small internal frames to the
Golite Gusts and and Mariposa I use now - I was within a year or two of
gear that made things lighter and easier to use in backpacking. I use a
Nunatak quilt, now 11 years old and currently priced near $500. I've
never put it in a stuff sack. When hiking it lives in a garbage bag at
the top of my huge pack. I could always afford backpacking gear.
I think I've been a beginner backpacker most of my life. I say this
because I've had a 45 year fascination with gear - better gear. My
first stove was a Bluet, and I have two or three of them now. If you
want them, let me know. They are yours if you pay for shipping...
Beginning backpackers are fascinated with gear. Which rain jacket is
best? Which stove system is best? Can I wear running shoes or do I
need fabric boots, or am I going give the middle finger to 40 years of
technological advances and walk in leather boots. And on and on and
on. Read the journals of thru-hikers and you NEVER see any references
to what piece of gear is better than another. You'll read about bad
choices about gear to carry in specific situations, but you wont' ever
see anyone argue north face jackets are better than sierra design jackets.
I've been a victim of materialist culture. Plain and simple. I've
bought 1000s of dollars of stuff over the last 45 years I didn't
"need." Why? This is the question. "Why??????" The consequence is
that I've been a beginner backpacker for more y ears than I needed to.
I have more experience in REI or online looking at deals than I did
actually hiking. I think that one of the possibilities thru-hiking
offers contrasted to section hiking is that this "gear" orientation
slowly goes away, forever - forever - forever... I know what I need,
and am no longer concerned with what I want.
That last sentence is profound, if I do say so.
I survey my memories of hikes - the last one with my Dad mentioned
above, and so on, and you know what, gear never enters into the focus of
discussion...
Never.....
Jeffrey Olson
Manila, CA
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 23:02:15 -0500
From: Jackie McDonnell <yogihikes at gmail.com>
Subject: [pct-l] Have you hiked the AT, PCT, and CDT?
To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
<CACK6q3ED+HXa7sgHJiTo2t0sGV2BPU5=SnnJktO_PJ+JsbAzMg at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
If you have completed the AT, PCT, and CDT, you are eligible to apply for
your very own Triple Crown, presented by ALDHA-West. Application deadline
is September 1.
For more information on the Triple Crown Award:
http://aldhawest.org/triple-crown/
For more information on the ALDHA-West Gathering:
http://aldhawest.org/
Hope to see you at the Gathering!
Jackie McDonnell & Matt Signore
ALDHA-West Awards Coordinators
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2014 21:28:15 -0700
From: "Gail Van Velzer" <vanvelzer at charter.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
To: "Tom Grundy" <caver456 at gmail.com>, "PCT listserve"
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <715D73C790A14E74931531A8C379FD5B at gail>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
I'm asking this question regarding horses too.
Golly]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Grundy" <caver456 at gmail.com>
To: "PCT listserve" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 6:27 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
> Thanks for the info on transport and such around Stevens Pass. Another
> question:
>
> what's the latest scoop on the washout(s) north of Rock Pass? Would you
> recommend the detour for a couple of semi-timid hikers with an
> (over?)active sense of self-preservation?
>
> Here's the route of the detour we got from one narrative description:
>
> http://caltopo.com/map?id=7C56
>
> Looks like the detour is something around 20 miles, and bypasses 13.8
> miles
> or so of PCT, so it adds 6-8 miles?
>
> Are there any other detours / alternates around there? Any opinions on
> how
> nice that detour is?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -Tom
> Nevada City CA
> _______________________________________________
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> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
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> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2014 12:18:00 +0000 (UTC)
From: Jim & Jane Moody <moodyjj at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
To: PCT listserve <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <225111579.26110.1407327480361.JavaMail.root at comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Caver,
?
I went through there last Sept, a few weeks after the cloudburst that created the gullies.? We found the hype to be much worse than the actual situation.? Stay on the switchbacked trail downward until you come to the first gully, then move downhill until you find a place where you feel comfortable climbing down into the gully and back up.? There were 8 to 10 gullies, with the first and last being the deepest.? Between gullies, previous hikers had started small cairns to guide later hikers to preferred points.
?
I considered the washouts to be similar to blowdowns - slow going but not dangerous.? The slope is not particularly steep, so moving downhill off trail requires careful footing to keep from falling, but if you fall, you won't tumble out of control.? You'll just skin a knee and hope no one saw you.
?
As to horses, I'm not qualified to say how difficult that section would be.
?
Mango
?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Grundy" <caver456 at gmail.com>
To: "PCT listserve" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 9:27:04 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
Thanks for the info on transport and such around Stevens Pass. ?Another
question:
what's the latest scoop on the washout(s) north of Rock Pass? ?Would you
recommend the detour for a couple of semi-timid hikers with an
(over?)active sense of self-preservation?
Here's the route of the detour we got from one narrative description:
http://caltopo.com/map?id=7C56
Looks like the detour is something around 20 miles, and bypasses 13.8 miles
or so of PCT, so it adds 6-8 miles?
Are there any other detours / alternates around there? ?Any opinions on how
nice that detour is?
Thanks in advance.
-Tom
Nevada City CA
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------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2014 08:14:51 -0700
From: "Gail Van Velzer" <vanvelzer at charter.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
To: "Jim & Jane Moody" <moodyjj at comcast.net>, "PCT listserve"
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <9E187019F54E4DA297862BAB5D5BD429 at gail>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="utf-8";
reply-type=original
Can anyone post pictures of the area? Is there a way around if it's too
unsafe for horses?
Golly
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim & Jane Moody" <moodyjj at comcast.net>
To: "PCT listserve" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2014 5:18 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
>
> Caver,
>
> I went through there last Sept, a few weeks after the cloudburst that
> created the gullies. We found the hype to be much worse than the actual
> situation. Stay on the switchbacked trail downward until you come to the
> first gully, then move downhill until you find a place where you feel
> comfortable climbing down into the gully and back up. There were 8 to 10
> gullies, with the first and last being the deepest. Between gullies,
> previous hikers had started small cairns to guide later hikers to
> preferred points.
>
> I considered the washouts to be similar to blowdowns - slow going but not
> dangerous. The slope is not particularly steep, so moving downhill off
> trail requires careful footing to keep from falling, but if you fall, you
> won't tumble out of control. You'll just skin a knee and hope no one saw
> you.
>
> As to horses, I'm not qualified to say how difficult that section would
> be.
>
> Mango
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: "Tom Grundy" <caver456 at gmail.com>
> To: "PCT listserve" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 5, 2014 9:27:04 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] Rock Pass washout (WA section L)?
>
> Thanks for the info on transport and such around Stevens Pass. Another
> question:
>
> what's the latest scoop on the washout(s) north of Rock Pass? Would you
> recommend the detour for a couple of semi-timid hikers with an
> (over?)active sense of self-preservation?
>
> Here's the route of the detour we got from one narrative description:
>
> http://caltopo.com/map?id=7C56
>
> Looks like the detour is something around 20 miles, and bypasses 13.8
> miles
> or so of PCT, so it adds 6-8 miles?
>
> Are there any other detours / alternates around there? Any opinions on how
> nice that detour is?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> -Tom
> Nevada City CA
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-L mailing list
> Pct-L at backcountry.net
> To unsubscribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
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> All content is copyrighted by the respective authors.
> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Reproduction is prohibited without express permission.
------------------------------
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End of Pct-L Digest, Vol 80, Issue 6
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