[pct-l] PCTResearch updates

[PCTResearch <pctresearch@pcthiker.com>]

Hello to all of us still sitting behind our computers cheering on the class
of 2000 and dreaming of our hikes to come. I've just returned from an
extended trip down south and have finally gotten up to speed with all the
list postings. PCTResearch is still in the forward motion but is still
climbing the grade. The proposal is in place and our current challenge is in
securing the necessary funding and resources to do the study. For those of
you who may have forgotten, the goal of PCTResearch is to make scientific
observations of twenty PCT thru-hikers in 2001. These observations will
include a detailed look at weight loss and tissue type changes (ie fat and
muscle), a detailed analysis of their trail diet, and an attempt to quantify
the amount of energy expenditure expended from Mexico to Ashland. What I
have found out is that this is an ambitious study and that the amount of
work going into just securing the resources and funding should be enough to
get me my Masters in Nutrition.

   I would like to ask you all for some help. My current challenge is
locating sources of funding, for which I have started a capital campaign.
This campaign involves contacting as many backpacking related companies as I
can get e-mails for and asking for a research sponsorship. What I am asking
from all of you is to help compile a list of companies and their e-mail
addresses. If you have a list of backpacking companies with their contact
information, or know of such a list that might exist on the internet, I
would greatly appreciate your guidance. Or, if you have a favorite company
you think might be interested in funding PCTResearch, please tell me
off-list. Thanks in advance for your help.

Now if we could just get used to this calmness on the list now that Monte
has gone hiking... 
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