[pct-l] Northeast trekking versus west trekking: Anobservation

[johnsmallberries@xxxxxxxxxx (johnsmallberries)]

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Yes, I have been on the trail for a few miles, but that means nothing. A
trail as long as the PCT requires conditioning, right gear for conditions o=
f
the trekker and the terrain, varying microclimates, altitude, etc., and
knowledge/experience. Any less and the recent discussion about money spent
saving misguided =8Cnot as smart as I am=B9 trekkers will dominate not only=
 this
list, but much of the future national agenda of the use of public lands for
the sublime joy of the wilderness experience. Trekking is on the verge of
being the running boom of the mid-70=B9s. The baby boomers are coming. This=
 is
not a rant, but an observation and a belief. It is not going anywhere. It i=
s
here and folks like us are the best ones to take the lead on the future use
of these precious resources, not pols. And whatever a =B3troll=B2 is will h=
ave
to be defined to me b4 I respond or ignore it. By the way, the majority of
24 year olds I see are morbidly obese. Why is that? This is a list for
discussion, larger issues are certainly as important as whether MSR
snowshoes are as good as Atlas 1225=B9s. No? Thanks for reading. Marc Adin.




>
> LOL...   Have you ever been on the PCT?  It's like a side walk!
>
> Plus, if you haven't noticed lately, nearly everyone has switched to
> trailshoes.  I suspect this rant is nothing but a troll...
>
> Sly
>
>
>
>
>
> johnsmallberries@hvc.rr.com writes:
>
>> 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 is=
sues
>> which are important to safety, enjoying the experience and challenge, we=
ight
>> 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 i=
s
>> 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
>> =91unexpectedly=8F because the future is always invisible to us, only pa=
st
>> experience portends to guide us, and it is often a poor one. But it is t=
he
>> best we have to guide us ahead. So, get the freekin=8F best boots you ca=
n for
>> what you want to do. As I read descriptions of the PCT, I would chose
>> something the Tecnica=8Fs Dunagiri GTX or Scarpa=8Fs SL M3=8Fs. I would =
get OR=8Fs
>> Croc Gaiters. You won=8Ft have to worry about wet feet, blisters, snow, =
ice,
>> post-holing (anyone who post holes today is a masochist, in my opinion) =
so
>> get some Atlas lightweight snowshoes and instep crampons. Forget the
>> Yaktrax. They stink. I field test equipment and they are not for trekkin=
g.
>> The key is be safe and live to trek another day. Cheaping out on equipme=
nt
>> 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 despit=
e
>> the the pain), antiseptic, wound care, steristrips, liquid bandage, blis=
ter
>> gunk, gauze, benadryl, something for burns. Whatever you have have on yo=
ur
>> back is your life and will save your life or save someone else's. Always
>> carry 50=8F 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/polarg=
uard
>> 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 coo=
l.
>> 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 a=
nd a
>> camelback, 100oz.
>>
>> An ice ax3e is handy, but get a freekin=8F light one. Learn how to use a=
ll
>> this stuff b4 you go out. You don=8Ft 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 yo=
u go
>> for up to six months b4 attempting a long thru hike. Run stairs. Being t=
ough
>> physically will toughen you up mentally which will toughen you up physic=
ally
>> (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 =91I=8Fll live 4ever=
=8F mindset
>> I hade a long time ago until a few very experienced friends died playing
>> around and beyond the coagulated edge.  Don=8Ft fuel yourselves. Marco t=
he
>> Mad/xxx
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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