[pct-l] Hello/Goodbye

[absurdist at socal.rr.com (Greg Bell)]

My name is Greg Bell, trailname is Sarge. I'm a 39 year old computer 
tech and Army National Guard infantryman from the greater L.A. area. I 
haven't thru-hiked any of our national scenic trails yet, but plan to 
do the PCT in 2005. I've been hiking/backpacking in the San Gabriel and 
San Bernardino mountains since I was a teenager, and over the past 5 
years or so have broadened my mountain experiences with trips into the 
Sierra.

It's Interesting that we're introducing ourselves at this particular 
time, as the government is sending me, along with the rest of my 
National Guard unit, on a year-and-a-half-long, all-expenses-paid 
"working vacation" which includes a year in the Middle East. Since I'll 
be reporting for active duty in less than a week, I won't be on the 
list or even have this email address much longer. So, I guess this is 
both hello and goodbye (temporarily, at least - If I have access to the 
Internet while I'm playing in the big sandbox, I'll re-subscribe).

As I said, I plan to thru-hike the PCT in 2005 after I return from 
Iraq. The government's plan right now is for my unit to come off of 
active duty in late April/early May of that year and I'll be joining 
the class of 2005 as soon as I possibly can upon returning to SoCal.

I look forward to seeing you all out on the trail.

Greg/Sarge
"Speak softly and carry a belt-fed weapon."