[pct-l] One more for ( from) the road

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

 Just took my pack of girls to the mall today  for their week's fix of " 
malldom". Every shoestore has a big " New Balance 804" sticker in the window. 
 For 84.95 , you can buy the 804 or for 74.95 you can buy the 803.  To my 
untrained eye, this difference seems to be maybe a little more padding under 
sole on the 804's. One the plus side for the 803's, the little toe bumper on 
the 803's seems to go up higher than that of the 804's.  Crowds??? Go for a 
North to South trip this year and start around June 15th as the Cascades are 
running 50% of snowpack this year. ( If you want a crowd free trip)  
Filter's??? Don't use one unless you are in the PCt's desert. Most people 
finish the trip with no filter and make do with  a few water crystals. 
Stoves?? Go alcohol and carry a few esbit tablets as backup when you run out 
of fuel. Packs??? Any interal that will hold 3,500cu. to 4000 cu. inches and 
fits. Socks??? Smartwool, 2 pair per 1,000 miles and rotate each day. Bear 
containers?? Don't use them or get a bear bag which is light and will keep 
squirrels at bay.  Don't put all your food in the same bag, in case you lose 
one. Tents??? I like a small rain  flyed tent to keep out bugs and ants. 
Later go to a tarp after bug season has abaited. Resupplying??? Buy along the 
way and only use K.M. and Stehikin as mail drops. Group hiking???? Few people 
start and finish with a people they planned. Each person should be 
self-contained, in case your partner gets sick, quits of you hate each others 
guts. And last and most important is be flexable with your plans. Things can 
change!!! Weather can be a wild card so you need to be able to roll with the 
punches the trail throws you. As Luke said, Attitude means much. If you get 
bummed by little stuff, you will be a short timer on the trail. Each year, 
many hikers show up at campo with the best Bod a hiker could ever want only 
to quit early because it was too hot and boxes never showed up, etc. If you 
come to the trail in less than perfect shape, just take in slow and don't 
push yourself. Better to hike 10 to 12 miles a day and break in slowly than 
to start out at 20 to 25 miles a day and come up lame after a week on the 
trail. And remember--- You can never have enough cash for your weekly town " 
Feeding Frenzies". You will spend twice as much in town as you planned. When 
planning your trip, allow for this cost.