Re: [pct-l] 1999 Day Zero Planning

[Margo Chisholm <pctcoach@sopris.net>]

While I understand where Brett is coming from and acknowledge that my
opinion comes from at least a small bit of selfishness, I for one am
grateful for the willingness of Trail Angels to stash water. I'm a low
mileage person, probably averaging about 13, and less than that in the
first couple of weeks, and I admit that I am fond of the idea of not
having to carry 20 pounds of water in the desert.

I am much of the opinion that the quality of each hiker's trail
experience comes from inside us even more than from the outside, and
that degradation of that experience can happen from "bad" weather or
bugs as much as from jugs on the trail. Bugs, weather and whether or not
there is water stashed on the trail are all outside factors over which I
have no control. The attitude I bring to them is where I can alter the
experience. Enjoyment truly is a choice.

Enjoy the day.

Namaste, m



Brett Tucker wrote:
> 
> Just curious - who is asking for these water conveniences? Who would rather
> simply take what the trail provides, and carry extra water where need be?
> Who that want a wilderness experience prefer to find plastic jugs and such
> lying obviously about the trail corridor?
> 
> Caching water for oneself would appear to be one thing - and then hopefully
> a discrete activity. It would seem, though, that outside support-for-all,
> though well-intentioned, has a tendency to degrade the trail experience more
> than it would enhance it. This kind of thing is commonplace along the AT,
> and the AT is the poorer for it. Let the town stops be the sag wagons, not
> the man-made articles of convenience thrust on everyone without their input.
> I certainly don't want to measure my progress along the PCT by how many
> trailside plastic water jugs I pass.
> 
> Each new man-made intrusion on the trail experience degrades the wilderness
> by that much more. It could be water, fairly minor. But it could be roads,
> or shelters, or developed campgrounds, etc. In the end, these things make
> the hiking more like city-living, and isn't this what we're trying to get
> away from? Don't the cities have enough crowding as a result of doled-out
> conveniences?
> 
> I intend no flame, here. Just voicing it how I see it...
> 
> - Blister (Campo to Whitney '99)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reynolds@ilan.com <reynolds@ilan.com>
> To: pct-l@backcountry.net <pct-l@backcountry.net>
> Date: Monday, February 22, 1999 11:52 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] 1999 Day Zero Planning
> 
> >
> >
> >This is from Greg, Charlie and Tom in response to the perceived and known
> need
> >for reliable water in Section A:
> >
> >This is a specific recommendation for 1999 hopefuls on how to hike Section
> A and
> >detail the moral and water support we plan to provide. Greg, who has hiked
> the
> >entire trail, Charlie who knows Section A very well and Tom who is an avid
> trail
> >supporter, put their heads together to come up with this plan.
> >
> >We recommend that you start your trip from Mexico on Friday, April 16,
> 1999. We
> >will get you to the trailhead Friday in time to check-in and hike the three
> (3)
> >miles from the border to Highway 94. At this point the purist will continue
> and
> >walk as many miles as he chooses, planning to arrive in Lake Morena on
> Saturday,
> >April 17, 1999. Another approach is to quit walking at this point and camp
> with
> >the support team at Lake Morena on Friday night. On Saturday morning get up
> and
> >dayhike the 17 miles from the road to lake Morena Campground [leave most of
> your
> >weight at Lake Morena]. Alternatively,  begin Saturday morning from the
> border
> >and dayhike the 20.2 miles.
> >
> >We advise NOT camping south of Lake Morena because of increased illegal
> activity
> >in the Campo area. The trio was amazed at the amount of Border Patrol
> activity.
> >It seems that, since the border was tightened up around San Deigo, there is
> lots
> >more activity along the PCT. We believe it is safer to not camp below Lake
> >Morena and to camp in a group at Lake Morena. However you choose, the goal
> is to
> >arrive at the Lake Morena Campground for the First Annual Day Zero PCT
> Kickoff
> >(1st ADZPCTK). How could you miss that!
> >
> >The First Annual Day Zero PCT Kickoff will be held Saturday, April 17, 1999
> at
> >spaces 59 & 60 of Lake Morena Campground. The support team will barbecue
> dogs,
> >burgers and steak [vegetarians are in deep shit] and supply all the beer
> and
> >wine you can drink! Additionally, a huge amount of information will be
> available
> >from the team that has scouted Section A.  Wecan give you current
> information
> >about the trail and maps to the water sources.  If you can, don
> 
> * From the Pacific Crest Trail Email List |  http://www.backcountry.net   *

-- 
Margo Chisholm
The Freedom Coach
Partnering you in having freedom in all areas of your life
970-704-9336    fax 970-704-9346
margo@tothesummit.com
http://www.tothesummit.com

"Challenge your most cherished assumptions."
-- Unknown

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