[pct-l] Socks for New Balance 803's?

[Skiroc@aol.com (Skiroc@aol.com)]

I've done tons of day hiking where socks and even shoes make little 
difference.  I'm increasingly involved in longer hikes, with hope of the JMT 
this summer and the PCT in a few years when my kids are out of college.

NB 803's seem to be the footwear of choice for many and I'd like to try them. 
 What socks to wear?  I like Thorlo's - but there are Runner, Trail Runner, 
Hiker, Backpacker and light, medium and heavy padding.  I know that 
ultimately I need to see what works for me, but I'd like to get some opinions 
from experienced folks to help me zero in.

Although I've been lurking here for some time this is my first post, so as 
suggested by the list administrator, a little about myself.  I'm in my late 
forties and have been the manager of consulting services for the past 20 
years for ESRI, a GIS company located in So Cal.  I've done tons of rock 
climbing for the past 25 years managing to do a few grade VI's in Yosemite 
Valley.  I did Denali in 1978, I've done the Matterhorn, the volcanoes in 
Mexico, and lots of routes in the Sierra.  In the past hiking was a way to 
get to the climbs, now I enjoy hiking just for hiking.  The only "long" hike 
(not long for your guys!) was when I did the JMT in the early 1970's.  I was 
living in the Yosemite Valley campgroup and near the end of the summer we 
wanted to do something different.  So a friend and I stuffed some gear in our 
packs,  walked over to the Village Store to get some food, walked to Happy 
Isles, and started the JMT.  8 days later we exited at Whitney.  We traveled 
pretty light, we could not takes stoves, tents, or sleeping bags on climbs, 
so we didn't even think to take them on the hike.  We hiked from sun-up to 
sun down.  This is how we climbed, so this is how we hiked.  Suffering was 
just part of it but we were in really good shape - young and from climbing 
all summer.  I'm learning a tremendous amount from you guys and look forward 
to helping others when I can, perhaps with some of the more technical stuff.

Thanks!

Don C