[pct-l] All about food

[dgiese at maine.rr.com (Dave Giese)]

I also hike without using maildrops for resupply.  I had no problems in 
Washington last year but Southern Oregon was tougher, I had to hitch 
into Ashland, which most thruhikers probably do anyways.  (I'm hiking 
Cal. this year)  My diet is also restricted because I don't eat any 
dairy, including milk chocolate.  If you intend to eat cold, which I 
also did for about half of my AT hike, then resupplying along the trail 
is actually easier because foods to cook are harder to find than junk 
food.  I like to think of myself living off of the land, 21st century 
American style.  I do recommend carrying a stove during the colder 
months of the trip, I consider it part of my safety gear during those 
seasons.  A stove also allows you to incorporate liquid oil into your 
diet, which is a light and cheap way to pack calories.  It is more 
expensive to buy your food at convenience stores (I was paying $.60-.90 
/ pop-tart and I can buy them here for $.17 apiece) but that increase 
is somewhat offset by the postage costs of maildrops.  To me, that 
extra cost is worth it because I am supporting businesses along the 
trail rather than my local Walmart.  I do worry that if everybody 
decided to buy local the same year, stores that are not used to 
stocking those quantities would soon run out.  I should also add that I 
carry a large pack, so I can carry multiple bags of chips without 
crushing them.  Lots of pros and cons, but for me it 
works......DoItYourself

On Tuesday, February 10, 2004, at 08:32 AM, Linda Cooper wrote:

> I want to say thanks to everyone who responded to the question about 
> the
> ice axe and alcohol stove.  Hoosier Owl is my 24 year old son who hiked
> AT last year and plans to hike PCT this year.  He currently has no
> computer access at home, so I am assisting him in getting trail info.
> (He does have guide books).
>
> He has another question regarding food.  He is currently of the mindset
> to hike the trail without sending himself food packages.  Also
> considering leaving the stove behind.  Have any of you done this, and
> can you discuss pros and cons?
>
> Hearing of all your adventures makes me want to quit my job and hit the
> trail.  Also, loved the comments on solo hiking.
>
> Linda (for Hoosier Owl)
>
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