[pct-l] Greetings All

[mulligankevin@yahoo.com (Kevin Mulligan)]

Thanks all for the ice-axe thoughts and book recommendation.
I was in Stratton, VT this weekend and picked up a copy of the book at a
mountaineering shop. If all goes as planned, I will be taking a 2 day Intro
to Mountaineering class in two weekends. In skimming through the book last
evening, one thing I found interesting is that the author states that
self-arrests should be a last resort measure with a approx. 50 % success
rate. I wonder if my landlord will mind if I climb on my roof to
practice.... :)

-Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From:	pct-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Christine Kudija
Sent:	Friday, March 30, 2001 3:36 PM
To:	pct-l@backcountry.net
Subject:	Fw: [pct-l] Greetings All

Ok, forgot to put this on the list...I sent this to Kevin first!  I second
Jennifer et al(s) comments on ice axes.  The Freedom of the Hills
illustrations are helpful to start practicing even in the house...

Christine
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine Kudija" <cmkudija@earthlink.net>
To: "Kevin Mulligan" <mulligankevin@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 12:31 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Greetings All


> Kevin, by all means TAKE A CLASS or get somebody to teach you this spring.
> Snow conditions aren't predictable year to year and the Sierra passes have
> been hazardous to some through-hikers.
>
> My husband & I have been climbing & hiking in the Sierras for 20 years or
> so - and nothing beats an ice axe for high-angle snow - which you WILL
find
> on the north sides of the high passes (i.e. Forester, Pinchot, Mather,
> Sonora).  Mather Pass (for some reason) seems to have the worst
reputation -
> although there's a couloir on the south side of Forester that retains snow
> for a long time where an ice axe provides some comfort...).  Also - the
PCT
> traverses the north side of Fuller Ridge in the San Jacinto mtns. - it's
> snow covered at the time of the start of a thru-hike, the snow is
compacted
> hard by wind & is amazingly impenetrable except by crampons & ice axe in
> some areas.  The steep drop-off is amazingly intimidating.
>
> I also recommend Leki spring-loaded hiking sticks - invaluable for many
> reasons.
>
> Good luck -
> Christine
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kevin Mulligan" <mulligankevin@yahoo.com>
> To: <PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 7:15 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] Greetings All
>
>
> > Greetings everyone-
> >
> > I just joined the list a couple of days ago and have been quietly
> observing
> > the various conversations. But I must confess that I have felt like an
> > eavesdropper. So, I am writing this quick post to say hello everyone. I
> will
> > be hitting the trail in April of 2002. Before that time, I am quitting
my
> > 9-5 desk job here in Boston and driving cross country. With the
exception
> of
> > some of the narrow minded postings re: Illegal Immigrants, I must state
> that
> > I am thoroughly enjoying this list and getting pumped about the trail.
So
> > thank you.
> >
> > Now, for my first question.
> >
> > Ice Axes: I just finished reading Karen Berger's (sp?) book on the PCT
and
> > she exhorts the use of Ice Axes.
> > Though I spent to weeks in ANWR this past summer, I never had to use an
> Ice
> > Axe even when going over snow covered passes. Is this skill (along with
> Self
> > Rescue) something that I can easily pick up with a demonstration from a
> > fellow hiker. Or would it be wise for me to take an intro Mountaineering
> > class?
> > Somehow, my gut tells me that this might be helpful but slightly
overkill.
> > If any of you have thoughts on this subject I would be interested to
hear
> > them.
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> >
> > -Kevin Mulligan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pct-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net
> > [mailto:pct-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Steve Courtway
> > Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 4:47 PM
> > To: PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> > Subject: [pct-l] feeding the immigrants
> >
> > >I feel this issue is way blown out of proportion
> > >and if anyone -hiker, refugee, salesman etc- wants
> > >some water or food from me out there, I'd be happy to share.
> >
> > Judging from the size of some of the groups of MHEs
> > I've been passed by (complete with coyote in lead with
> > mirrored aviator shades and the only backpack), you
> > better bring a double size tarp along for section A,
> > because you're gonna have a boy scout style pancake feed
> > on your hands.
> >
> >
> >
> > --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
> > multipart/alternative
> >   text/plain (text body -- kept)
> >   text/html
> > ---
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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>

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