[pct-l] Useful Skills/Training

[Dan Welch]

Wilderness First Aid is a GREAT idea.  You can take a course at several
sites online for FREE - you only have to pay if you want a Certification.  

Timberline
PCT 2014

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Jim & Jane
Moody
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2016 8:22 AM
To: PCT-List
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Useful Skills/Training

Certainly a wilderness first aid course is desirable - in hopes you don't
ever need it. And snow skills might be needed, although if you leave Campo
in mid-May, you are less likely to hit significant snow in the Sierra. 

But the best "skill" is experience - with your gear, your feet, your water &
food needs, etc. Put up your tent in the backyard, at night in the wind and
rain. Go out for a few nights and take note of what you didn't use. Look for
gear items that can have multiple purposes. Check out which clothing items
are the most appropriate, lightest, safest (no cotton). Try various shoes -
you may soon learn that boots are not as comfortable as trail runners.
Consider not taking a stove and eating foods that require no cooking or can
reconstitute in cold water (many can, but it takes longer). Reducing your
pack weight will pay many dividends. 

Somewhere I heard that the best piece of gear is your head - good judgment,
knowledge of your own limitations, ... 

Good luck. 
Mango 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Mike Belanger" <mikes4b22 at hotmail.com> 
To: "PCT-List" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 7:46:11 AM 
Subject: [pct-l] Useful Skills/Training 




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? 

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