Re: [pct-l] On the prospects of thruriding

[Bighummel@aol.com]

Joann, 

I know what you are going through in your planning and getting to know your 
animal and considering the logistics of thruriding.  I know because for 
years, in the spirit of heavy weight hiking, I have been considering the 
prospect of thruriding on an Indian Elephant!  

Now, I know what you are all thinking right now, "Greg's lost it!".  Well 
actually I haven't lost the elephant yet as I haven't actually located one 
yet.  A couple questions to the equestrian group on the list: 

1.  Do you think that the elephant will have an advantage over pack animals 
in that it can carry so much more weight?
2.  Do you think that the large feet will actually help the trail condition 
by compacting down all of the dust and ground up material from horses?
3.  Is there enough room to get an elephant over Forrester Pass?
4.  Are elephants allowed in or, conversely, specifically excluded from 
national parks?
5.  Will my elephant be required to get off of the trail to allow a pack 
train to pass?

The advantages of riding an elephant are numerous though, when you think 
about it.  They aren't phased by heat or cold or snow or rain.  They cross 
raging streams great!  Their snout allows them to breath normally even buried 
in an avalanche.  

The only logistical thing that I haven't figured out is how to feed him.  He 
eats up to 700 pounds of food per day!  Now I know that there is a lot of 
growth near the trail that he can snack on but Charlie won't like that.  One 
thought is contract Reynold's company to air drop bails of hay every quarter 
mile.  

I have rigged up the coolest two man tent on top of him, too.  I won't even 
have to get out of my sleeping bag most days!  Talk about going in style!

TFIC,

Greg "Strider" Hummel
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Absurd, isn't it?  But then consider riding a horse on the PCT.  Does that 
make any better sense?  I think not.

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