[pct-l] Useful Skills/Training

[Mike Belanger]

What are some skills you would generally recommend to a nobo thru hiker leaving in mid-May? I've got a REI GPS Navigation course at Donner Summit with about 20" of fresh snow under the belt and another course with a map and compass [with a potential super storm dumping on me] this weekend. Maybe a wilderness medicine and survival course for kicks?Is elevation training (2k+ ft/day) better than endurance training (15+ mi/day)?How would you compromise the two? Should I train with more weight than I intend to carry (30-40 lbs) or would I be unnecessarily risking injury by doing more?What do you consider reasonable training and equipment? We talking a simple map and compass and/or GPS navigation course (like the ones offered at REI), know how to tend a blister, carry crampons and an ice ax/whippet, and a couple over night trips a week before departure or would you recommend something different?