RE: [pct-l] High Hopes

["Robinson, Brian A" <brian.robinson@compaq.com>]

Hello Heidi,

Welcome to the list.  You'll learn a lot here.

Cost is quite variable.  Some have picked up used equipment and gotten much
of their food out of hiker boxes, so hiking can be very cheap.  "Typical"
costs are $500 - $1000 for equipment, $1000 for food, and $1000+ spent along
the trail, all per person.  The last item is the most variable.  If you
never stay in a motel nor eat in a restaurant you can reduce this to nearly
zero.  Others lay over in towns for many days, spending thousands doing so.

If you're like me, your early thoughts are about gear.  I recommend NOT
going out immediately and buying a lot of stuff.  Thru-hiking calls for
lighter gear and less of it than backpacking.  You're not likely to get good
advice on thru-hiking gear at your local outfitter.  You WILL get good
advice here.  For starters, you should know that some thru-hikers carry 15
pounds or less "base" gear.  That includes your pack and everything in it
except food, water and stove fuel.  If this surprises you, you have a lot to
learn before you go out and buy any gear.

If you are especially interested in gear, there are lists dedicated to it.
Check out http://www.onelist.com/messages/BackpackingLight

You can get the guidebooks, trail information and permits through the PCTA.
Go to http://www.pcta.org/  There you will also find a link to the PCT
planning program at http://www.newestindustry.com/pct/pctplan/. This will
help you decide when to start and finish and where to resupply.  Most people
start in late April or very early May, and finish in late September or
October.  (South to North)  

Good luck and enjoy the process.  Your trip has already begun.
Brian 

-----Original Message-----
From: heidi lynn kenerson [mailto:kenerson@u.washington.edu]

I am a new comer to this email list. My boyfriend and I are planning to
start the PCT in March 2001. For the next year we are going to be planning
etc. We were wondering if any of could share your planning process. We are
also concerned with the cost. Could someone give us an estimated cost?  It
would be helpful in making our plans. 
* From the PCT-L |  Need help? http://www.backcountry.net/faq.html  *

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