[pct-l] Starter Trails

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

 I would say there is a reason more people hike the AT than the PCT. The AT 
may be steeper, but with 2 days between drops ( Over most the trail) and low 
pack weights, big deal!! If the PCT was as much of a " Cake Walk" as some AT 
folks would say, there would be 10 times the numbers doing the PCT  instead 
of the AT. Yes, in my humble opinion, the AT is a " Cute" little starter 
trail compared to the PCT. Hikers normally do the AT then the PCT. ( The PCT 
sees only the cream of the Crop from the AT mobs)  On the PCT , route finding 
,snow travel, elevations, deserts all add to a bit more difficult trail. The 
CDT is even more challenging. The most challenging  part of the AT may be 
having enough money or a high enough VISA limit  for your tri-weekly town 
pig-outs!!! Other than Maine, and parts of Penn., this social " Hike between 
the Bars" trail offers far less in the ways of what Western Hikers would call 
" Wilderness Experience". If the trail seems steep with 2 to 3 days of food 
on your back and maybe a liter of water, it may be because of the 6-pack of 
grog drank the night before!!!!!    Starter trails for 100.00 Wink. OK What 
is the AT??  " That's Correct!!, Wink says. You are the winner of our Daily 
Double!!