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

[scourtway@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Steve Courtway)]

a troll is a post of narrow minded material in the hopes
of sparking "discussion".........

regarding trekking becoming the running boom of the mid-70's.......

It has already peaked out.  The majority of people who got into
hiking into the mid 80's already hate it, and go no more.

Last year had the lightest Yosemite visitorship in years, 3.4M folks.

blame it on the economy (sept. 11 included) but my hunch is that out
of 5 people who get into hiking or camping, 1 becomes an actual enthusiast
who isn't deterred by bugs, snow, pain, blisters, boredom, etc.

this downward trend in hiking enthusiasm is a GOOD THING !!!!

last year, I basically had the JMT to myself the 1st week and 1/2 of July,
save about a 1/2 dozen thru hikers passed daily.

p.s. I had the opportunity to hike around Sedona, AZ this last weekend,
and boy, it is now in my top 6 hiking locations.  My list:

1. the high sierra PCT, CA
2. Kenai Peninsula, AK
3. Bryce, UT
4. Sedona, AZ
5. Zion, UT
6. Hardangervidda Region, Norway

Steve "diggin' them vortexes" Courtway,
obviously biased towards the west. hahahahaha



----- Original Message -----
From: "johnsmallberries" <johnsmallberries@hvc.rr.com>
To: <Slyatpct@aol.com>; "pcta" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Northeast trekking versus west trekking: An observatio=
n


> > 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 ]
> 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
of
> the trekker and the terrain, varying microclimates, altitude, etc., and
> knowledge/experience. Any less and the recent discussion about money spen=
t
> saving misguided Onot 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. Th=
is
is
> not a rant, but an observation and a belief. It is not going anywhere. It
is
> 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=
 have
> to be defined to me b4 I respond or ignore it. By the way, the majority o=
f
> 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 Adi=
n.
>
>
>
>
> >
> > 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
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
> >> 'unexpectedly=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
the
> >> best we have to guide us ahead. So, get the freekin=8F best boots you =
can
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 woul=
d 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
trekking.
> >> The key is be safe and live to trek another day. Cheaping out on
equipment
> >> is a drag when when you are futzed up 20 miles from nowhere because yo=
u
> >> 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
your
> >> 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/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
and a
> >> camelback, 100oz.
> >>
> >> An ice ax3e is handy, but get a freekin=8F light one. Learn how to use
all
> >> this stuff b4 you go out. You don=8Ft need a gps, but have the best ma=
ps
> >> 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 pastie=
s
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 ca=
n
flop
> >> around in sandals. It sounds like the bravado and 'I=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
the
> >> Mad/xxx
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PCT-L mailing list
> PCT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l