[pct-l] JMT bagagge & cameras

[dude at fastmail.ca (dude)]

When I take a pack on a plane, it depends on which pack I bring as to 
whether or not I check the pack.  If I am going on a climbing trip or a 
backpacking trip in which my large 5000 c.i. backpack is required, then 
I check the backpack.  I do protect it by placing it inside a heavy-
duty industrial garbage bag and zip-tie'ing the end shut.  (I bought a 
box of these industrial garbage bags from Home-Depot about 5 years ago 
and still have some left.  These bags are SUPER strong and durable).  I 
beleive that placing the backpack inside a garbage bag does a number of 
things:
- protects the backpack from the conveyor belts and other machinery 
that can grab or tear straps and loose ends.
- keeps the pack cleaner.
- disguises the value of your pack and its contents (seeing a $300 pack 
might make some people realize that in addition to the pack, there is 
probably an expensive tent, sleeping bag, parka, etc in that pack.  
I've never had anything stolen at an airport, but why take the chance.  
most airlines will only insure a bag for upto $200, which doesn't even 
cover the cost of one expensive item, let alone 4.  If you are worried 
about that, I think you can buy extra insurance.).

Of course, checking baggage always incurs the risk of the airlines 
losing your backpack.  I have probably checked my backpack 20 times, 
and it has been lost once coming back from mexico on AeroMexico 
Airlines.  After calling them and pestering them for weeks, they 
eventually found my backpack in Miami (I was flying to Houston).  
Nothing was missing.

If I am going ultralight (which I would be for the JMT), then I would 
bring a much smaller pack that would be able to be carried on and I 
would carry it on the plane.  Carrying on your pack makes things sooo 
much easier.  You don't have to worry about lost luggage.  You don't 
have to wait for the luggage at the carrousel and you will make it out 
of the airport faster.  The only downside is that you can't bring as 
much extra gear and therefore cannot have some luxuries like 
comfortable clothes for the ride back (like sweats, birkenstocks, 
whatever).  As a side note, I have done the JMT twice in this manner 
and always have stopped in Bishop and bought clothes at a secondhand 
clothing store there for my trip back.  Its a great deal; you can buy a 
t-shirt, shorts and socks for like $6.

If you do carry your luggage on the plane, remember that you cannot 
take stuff like:
- tent stakes
- ice axes
- knives (even tiny swiss army)
- nail clippers (yes, i've heard of people being stopped for this)
- scissors
- trowel for digging cat-hole
- leatherman
- hiking poles (never heard of this, but it would'nt surprise me)
- anything else you even suspect would raise an eyebrow.

HTH.

peace,
dude





> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David" <david@dalbey.org>
> To: "'pct mailing list'" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Sunday, May 16, 2004 11:09 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] JMT bagagge & cameras
> 
> 
>> 
>> A couple questions for you fine folk...
>> 
>> Karen & I will be flying from the Portland area to Reno via Oakland &
>> catching the CREST from Reno to Mammoth & then to Yosemite to start
>> our
> JMT
>> hike in July.  What do people usually do with their packs on the
>> airlines? I've heard that it's not a good idea to just check a pack
>> but rather put
> it
>> in a duffle or something like that.  Another idea was to unload our
>> packs enough to get them as carry-ons and combine the rest in one bag
>> we check through.  On the on other end, what do we do with the bag we
>> put the packs into?  Are we thinking this through too much & should
>> we just send our
> pack
>> through???
>> 
>> 2nd question, Regarding cameras.  I know there's probably a million
> opinions
>> out there, but here's my options & dilemma.  I have the following
>> camera's at my disposal...  Nikon F3, totally manual & heavy with 24
>> mm, 50mm & 105 mm lenses.   I have a Rollei 35 35mm rangefinder w/
>> fixed lense and a
> Nikon
>> 950 3.2 mp digital.  I like the Nikon F3 for quality, the Rollei 35
>> for weight and the Nikon 950 as a compromise between the two except
>> for the battery issue.  Does anyone have any strong opinions or other
>> suggestions? I'm a little cash-strapped but would look at other
>> options.  I plan on shooting slides if I'm shooting film.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> David
>> david@dalbey.org
>> 
>> 
>> 
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