Re: [pct-l] preparing for disaster

[reynolds@ilan.com]

BJ,
1. Inclement weather-I don't hike in inclement weather unless I am walking out
-- EVER. Get it? N-E-V-E-R That is my strategy and it works. I implement my
strategy by carrying a four season tent {4.5 pounds} that I can hole up in for
several days if I need to. Will I go stir crasy? No! I have cards, enough books,
my entire family to play games with and can even set up my slinglight chairs
inside my tent if I want to.

Instead of criticising MY strategy, please share YOUR strategy [for inclement
weather] because my point is to *have a strategy*. Don't wait and decide on the
spot because one makes better decisions not under pressure. To me, that was the
point of "Into Thin Air". The leader must have a plan and stick to it.

2. Hiking with kids/Cougars/Bears-There are no recorded attacks of Cougars on a
party of three. You are taking more risk that I am by hiking alone.

I don't want to start a thread on small children. A three year old is not a
toddler. All children are different. At 3.5 my son was a hiker. At 4.5 he hiked
from Wolverton to Emerald Lake [2000' elevation gain] without a wimper and from
Bearpaw Meadow to Crescent Meadow [11.5 miles] without complaining once.

3. Antibiotics-I have talked to a doctor. Penecillin VK. Does that mean I should
take it If I can get to a doctor in two days? No! Nor do I think I should use
Vcodine for a headache.

Let me ask you this. You are three days from the trailhead and you do something
stupid or unlucky. {grab a hot rock or break your toe chasing a bear who stole
your food} You are in extreme pain. What is YOUR {BJ's} strategy? You need to
have one now because, when you are in extreme pain is not the time to formulate
one.


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