[pct-l] planning ahead, but how thoroughly?

[blisterfree at isp01.net (Brett)]

First, determine what style of hike you'd prefer. Get 'er 
done or stop and smell the roses? Then set a target start 
and finish date. Determine the mpd required to accomplish 
this, and go on some training hikes at that level using the 
gear you intend to carry.

When you feel confident about your prescribed mpd, break out 
the planning materials: first, note the distance between 
towns you plan to use for resupply. Break your hike into 
town-to-town segments. Read up on the terrain and any other 
mileage-influencing factors in each segment, including the 
average weather and availability of water, and consider that 
your mpd capabilities/desires will likely increase as the 
hike progresses (you may start out below your average mpd, 
but finish above it; still it's your average, so hold onto 
it for reference).

Now figure out how many days you'll likely require between 
each town-to-town segment. (# days x food/day = food/segment 
to include in maildrops). Lastly, check the data book to see 
where the water and potential campsites are located in each 
segment. Highlight these locations. Use them as a guide 
only. The reality is that it is neither possible, nor for 
most desirable, to predict exactly where you'll thrown down 
your bag each night.

- bf


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Wright" <MarkWright@AboveCalifornia.com>
To: "Pacific Crest Trail Mailing List Pacific Crest Trail 
Mailing List" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 2004 8:35 PM
Subject: [pct-l] planning ahead, but how thoroughly?


> Looking for some trip planning suggestions here for a 2005 
> though hike.  I'm wondering just how thoroughly I should 
> plan things. For example,  how far ahead do people plan 
> their campsites? I'm sure some people plan  every place 
> they plan to camp all the way up to Canada, but I can't 
> even stick to such plans for a week long trip. I figure it 
> ought to be  good enough to plan out my first week's 
> campsites and after that just  try to plan a couple days 
> ahead. I know I'll want a pretty good idea of  which towns 
> I will visit for resupply so that people back home can 
> send  me things, though even these plans will likely 
> change over time except  when I know I have a package 
> waiting for me.
>
> So basically, any thoughts from pct veterans on how they 
> planned  everything and how their plans changed over time 
> would be appreciated.
>
> One plan of mine which I would like feedback on is to 
> start out hiking  about 10 miles a day and work my way up 
> to 20+ miles a day. My goal is  to be at 20 miles a day no 
> later than 100 miles into the hike. Does  that sound 
> reasonable? My reasoning behind this is that no matter how 
> much I prepare physically my body will not be accustomed 
> to hiking 20  miles a day every day and I don't want to 
> hurt myself, especially my  feet. And I understand that a 
> lot of people overexert themselves at the  beginning and 
> their feet (and other parts) pay the price.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Mark
>
> -----
> Have fun or die trying - but try not to actually die.
> http://www.AboveCalifornia.com
> Got Mac OS X? Get the AboveCalifornia Sherlock Channel:
> sherlock://www.AboveCalifornia.com/sherlock/SherlockChannel.xml? 
> action=add
>
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
>
>