[pct-l] Re: [Southern California

[radney@ix.netcom.com]

Hiking in southern California: 

>Instead I will start very early and then hole up for a while 
>waiting for better weather as we head North, we have six months to play 
>with.

Play it by ear Helen, Mother Nature controls the dial.  In '97 it was a dry 
year and we needed more water.  Last year the first place we pitched our 
tent in '97 (near the train tracks) outside of Campo was UNDER WATER and 
there was plenty of it.  This year ----???.  

>Did anybody out there enjoy the southern portion enough to WANT 
>to do it again.  Maybe the thing to do is just to skip it.  Opinions 
>everyone.

Walt and I loved the desert -- we have done it each year and last year as a 
training section and are looking forward to hiking it againQ!  The canyons 
can be endless and finding water becomes your #1 priority, but then that is 
part of the adventure.  The heat can become very wearing, especially when it 
has been 100+ for several days in a row, but it is DRY heat. Compared to the 
heat combined with the humidity of the east, we were able to endure the 
desert 100 better than 85 and high humidity at home. We didn't have any rain 
until after Mission Creek when a bad thunderstorm came up -- it even started 
a fire very close to us.  It rained for 8 hours --there was also pea and 
larger sized hail. The temperature droped 55+ degrees in less than 1 hour!  
Fortunately, Walt and I were just past Mission Creek Hostel headed toward 
Big Bear and near the campground.  We were able to hole up in an abandoned 
building.  I believe it rained on us only 1 other time until we got to 
Kennedy Meadows.  We loved the beautiful flowers, the reptiles, birds, and 
the chorus of the coyotes at night!  Oh I am PCT homesick!  Hurry up April!  

There are some very wonderful "Trail Angels" in this area who have left 
water in the past at various strategic spots for PCT Hikers. Some are marked 
for specific hikers.  The water can be left in water on jugs or vodka, rum, 
etc bottles too *sorry -- there is just water in them!  These Angel have 
sometimes left fruit, cookies, and candy, but I have never seen any ice 
cream yet! DREAM ON!! OK you guys on the list and your friends (you know who 
you are) THANKS A MILLION for all you have done to help us out!  At some 
Post Offices you may see notes telling the date water will be left and 
where, even for who. BUT, NEVER count on getting any and drink yourself dry, 
there may be none when you get there.  Some hikers went early, rented a car 
and made caches of water for themselves at strategic spots. 

>Has anyone figured out which company has the best, most complete, cellular 
coverage for the PCT?

I think AT&T has a "Complete Coverage Package."  Walt was telling me 
about it the other night and I'm afraid I wasn't listening very well.  I 
can't remember if he said it was $69.95 a month or not.  It was for 600 
minutes a month -- no long distance, connection, or roaming charges -- can't 
remember if they provided the phone or just the service.  It would be best 
if you got the low down from AT&T -- I am having another Alzheimer's attack!

See you soon!  Happy Trails --- Pat

PS HELEN-- about 10 years ago my vet ordered some rubber booties for our 
Sheltie.  She got her foot caught on barbed wire and it became infected 
because she kept biting at it.  We used the booties to keep the dressing on 
and her feet dry!  They had no seams -- were all one piece of flexible 
rubber but had a hard bottom.  There was a velcro adjustment at the top.   
She only wore them outside and that wasn't like an all day restriction for 
her.  I'm sorry I can't remember what name brand they were, but Princess 
tolderated them very well because they were light and flexible -- she HATED 
anything on her feet too! Maybe your vet can direct you in the right 
direction.   

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