[pct-l] Sleeping bags, dogs, and guidebooks

[kborski at yahoo.com (Karen Borski)]

Marzipan and County,

Welcome to the PCT-L!

Yes, you do need a sleeping bag for "the desert." 
You'll be up and down in elevation constantly, which
will take you up into the alpine zone in southern
California.  You will not stay low.  Not to mention,
the desert is cold at night.  My coldest night last
year was near Idyllwild in the San Jacintos (15
degrees).  Desert nights were frequently in the 30s.

I recommend a 20-degree bag for the entire hike. 
Perhaps, add a light liner for Washington if you sleep
cold.

Dogs:  the long and short of it is....I hike with my
dog a lot, but you couldn't pay me enough to take my
dog on the PCT anywhere south of Ashland, Oregon. 
North of there, it is more feasible, but you still
have issues, e.g. 10-mile long lava fields with
sharp-as-glass rocks and 16-mile waterless stretches. 
The PCT is not a dog-friendly place in all of CA and
most of OR....though a few dogs have hiked it.  Check
the archives for more info.

Hope this helps,
Nocona
AT'98, PCT'04



	
		
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