[pct-l] Safety on the Trail

[Hiker97 at aol.com (Hiker97@aol.com)]

The big gun battle near the  substation the other day got me to thinking.  
Plus, the class of 2006  getting ready to head north in a few months.
 
What do hikers carry or do as  protection on the trail?  Protection from 
what?  Personally, I carry  pepper spray.  I carry it for animals and humans.  I 
think good old  Ray Jardine carried it too.  I know a clean campsite and/or 
stealth  camping are some of the most important things you can do to be safe from 
 animals.
 
I have seen Bowie knives and pepper  spray out there.  I bet I have passed 
hikers carrying guns too.  I  think it is wise to carry something for 
protection.  It is interesting that  I have always felt safer the farther I was away 
from humans on the  trial.  Far away from trailheads and roads.
 
I know there are no perfect  weapons.  And you have to know the limitations 
and advantages of any  protection or technique.
 
Anyway, I was just wondering with  the hiking season approaching what hikers 
carried or did to be a little  safer.  I might want to do  that too.
 
Your hiking buddy,  Switchback
Trail Saunterer & PCT Corridor  Hiker