[pct-l] new to the PCT list

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

In a message dated 8/9/02 8:52:28 AM, Bighummel@aol.com writes:

<< Recognize that the Spring, when most No-bounders leave Campo, in Southern
California is the windiest season here.  Read through the journals on the web
and you'll find high wind days are a common lament in the Southern sections
of the trail before the Sierra.  Although practical at shedding sun and rain,
umbrellas are too compatible with high winds. >>

Yup, my 10 oz. umbrella was nibbled away slowly by the chaparral before a
windy day put it out of its misery about 10 days out. Its casket was the next
available trash can. I just decided to get tough when it came to sun. Long
before the chaparral ended I was protected by a tan instead of suncream and
just got used to hiking in the heat of the day without a hat. But crossing
the Mojave along the aqueduct in 110 degree heat was something to remember:
45 minutes of hiking was all I could stand before collapsing in the scant
shade of a Joshua tree for a 30 minute rest and rehydration session. Then
another forced 45 minutes and on and on. Luckily, some of Donna's trail
angelettes were prowling the aqueduct access road dispensing hydration and
energy supplies to the needy, and God bless the BLM or who ever the hell it
was that stuck that spigot in the aqueduct about 30 miles from the nearest
water source, either way, just for hot, dusty, thirsty nitwits wandering
around in the heat. (I must say, the thought "nitwit" flashed across my fried
brain more than once as I dragged my weary butt across the desert but hey-it
could have been much worse. I could have had callous cracks, no tan and no
trail angelettes)