[pct-l] Followup Backpack Question

[m.karon at comcast.net (Marshall Karon)]

Actually, most of the items in the list are more related to long distance
hiking than ultra-light hiking. But, they are real if you carry your gear on
your back.

Marshall Karon
Portland, OR
m.karon@comcast.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Powers" <kdpo@pacbell.net>
To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 3:40 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Followup Backpack Question


> Now I see why this ultra-light long distance hiking is so much fun.
Really,
> none of the things in this list really bother me/us any more. As marcia
> says, "tomorrow will be better."
>
> Ken
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "dude" <dude@fastmail.ca>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 12:04 PM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] Followup Backpack Question
>
>
> > > Even when selecting ultralight gear, you still need to prepare
> > > yourself both mentally and physically for the worst-case scenario
> > > you're likely to encounter while on the trail. With ultralight you're
> > > using your acquired wisdom to offset any weakness inherent in the
> > > gear.
> >
> > Great point, Ron!  This cannot be stressed enough.  If you decide to go
> > ultralight, at least a few times you must be prepared to:
> > - eat less than you'd like sometimes
> > - be colder than you'd like sometimes(especially sleeping)
> > - be wet for longer than you'd like
> > - wear smelly clothes longer than you'd like
> > - sleep uncomfortably more often than you'd like
> > - learn to live with fewer conveniences at your disposal
> >
> > Then you combine that with the overall demands of a long hike:
> > - walking longer in a day than you'd like sometimes.
> > - getting up at the crack of dawn (sometimes earlier)
> > - walking for miles on snow
> > - baking yourself in the sun
> > - being thirsty longer than you'd like sometimes
> > - drinking water that tastes like Iodine
> > - spending lots of time filtering water
> > - eating the same foods over and over.
> > - longing for your family and friends
> > - caring for your various aches and pains
> >
> > When you combine all of these things, you really have to be prepared
> > mentally.  Ultralight is a different way to hike.  It assumes certain
> > things that some people are not willing to compromise on (like just
> > being cold sometimes).  This is why everyone has pretty much
> > said "HYOH" (Hike Your Own Hike).  Ron's suggestions are all very
> > good.  You need to find out what will work for you.  Hopefully, you
> > will figure it out before you spend a wad of cash on some expensive
> > gear.
> >
> > peace,
> > dude
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
> >     http://fastmail.ca/ - Fast Secure Web Email for Canadians
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l