[pct-l] Northeast trekking versus west trekking: An observation

[scourtway@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Steve Courtway)]

note the author of this lengthy diatribe says "as I read descriptions of th=
e
PCT".

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

start hiking from campo and see how freekin' far you get following your
instructions.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

I'm not sure about the pasties and G-string, but we've seen one burly
thru-hiker make
it utilizing lightweight techniques with photos of himself sporting a
beautiful dress at the
Northern Terminus to prove his accomplishment !

Steve "34 feelin' 24" Courtway


----- Original Message -----
From: "johnsmallberries" <johnsmallberries@hvc.rr.com>
To: "pcta" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 11:50 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Northeast trekking versus west trekking: An observation


> > This message is in MIME format. Since your mail reader does not
understand
> this format, some or all of this message may not be legible.
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> I am a relative newbie to this list, but not a newbie to mountaineering. =
I
> have been doing all iterations of the sport-adventure for 40 years. My
> observations of the discussions are many, but I will only address the
issues
> which are important to safety, enjoying the experience and challenge,
weight
> management of pack and asides on equipment.
>
> The discussion regarding footwear implies some very dangerous practices.
> Wearing lightweight running. Xtraining sneaks to do any form of hiking is
> irresponsible. This list goes to to folks of all ages, experience and
> condition. Care of your feet is a trekkers number one priority. You must
get
> the right boot for the job. It must deal with the vagaries of supination,
> pronation, foot volume, ankle strength and what the most demanding
> conditions one may encounter unexpectedly on the trail. I bold
> Ounexpectedly=B9 because the future is always invisible to us, only past
> experience portends to guide us, and it is often a poor one. But it is th=
e
> best we have to guide us ahead. So, get the freekin=B9 best boots you can
for
> what you want to do. As I read descriptions of the PCT, I would chose
> something the Tecnica=B9s Dunagiri GTX or Scarpa=B9s SL M3=B9s. I would g=
et OR=B9s
> Croc Gaiters. You won=B9t have to worry about wet feet, blisters, snow, i=
ce,
> post-holing (anyone who post holes today is a masochist, in my opinion) s=
o
> get some Atlas lightweight snowshoes and instep crampons. Forget the
> Yaktrax. They stink. I field test equipment and they are not for trekking=
.
> The key is be safe and live to trek another day. Cheaping out on equipmen=
t
> is a drag when when you are futzed up 20 miles from nowhere because you
> saved a couple of bucks.
>
> Safety. Carry a damn good kit. Well thought out: something for splinting,
> sprains, inflammation, pain (get good pain meds from your doc, they will
> prescribe something which will able you to get someplace for help despite
> the the pain), antiseptic, wound care, steristrips, liquid bandage,
blister
> gunk, gauze, benadryl, something for burns. Whatever you have have on you=
r
> back is your life and will save your life or save someone else's. Always
> carry 50=B9 of a good nylon rope, and, of course, some duct tape.
>
> Get a damn good pack to carry all this gear. Get a sleeping bag
w/polarguard
> delta or 3d, forget hv and down. Get a tough 3 season tent or a solid 4
> season one. Always wear long pants, no matter how hot it is. Always wear =
a
> long sleeve shirt. Pick out 2 pair of both, one for heat and one for cool=
.
> Bring poly for layering. Never wear cotton. Have a brimmed hat (supplex,
> golite, etc.) and a cool, cold weather hat. Always use poles, and wear
> biking gloves all the time. Make sure you have a good water filter and an=
d
a
> camelback, 100oz.
>
> An ice ax3e is handy, but get a freekin=B9 light one. Learn how to use al=
l
> this stuff b4 you go out. You don=B9t need a gps, but have the best maps
> available and learn how to use your compass. Scissors, a small knife...a
la
> leatherman microtool will handle everything.
>
> And last, get into the best shape you can. Wear a 55 lb pack wherever you
go
> for up to six months b4 attempting a long thru hike. Run stairs. Being
tough
> physically will toughen you up mentally which will toughen you up
physically
> (or something like that). Blow of all that ultralight crap. It will kill
> people. Unless you do 3-4 ironman triathalons a year. Then wear pasties
and
> a g string.
>
> It seems to me that a lot of folks on the west coast yak like you are 24
and
> are in the best shape of your lives, and the PCT is sooooo easy you can
flop
> around in sandals. It sounds like the bravado and OI=B9ll live 4ever=B9
mindset
> I hade a long time ago until a few very experienced friends died playing
> around and beyond the coagulated edge.  Don=B9t fuel yourselves. Marco th=
e
> Mad/xxx
>
> _______________________________________________
> PCT-L mailing list
> PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l