<table cellspacing='0' cellpadding='0' border='0' background='none' style='font-family:arial;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;background-color:#ffffff;width:100%;'><tr><td valign='top' style='font: inherit;'><P>Hmmmm....hard to say about specific conditions out there. No one goes into the Bob this time of the year, except crazy thru-hikers! Seriously, even the rangers are absent, their cabins all boarded up with spiked welcome mats anchored in front of the door (to discourage visits from local griz). At least, that was my take on that place. Wild. Just plain wild. Your best bet would be to talk to the owner of the store in East Glacier to gain some semblance of the conditions up at Marias Pass. He is an AT veteran who has lived up there many years now and frequently drives and hikes through Marias Pass. I'm sorry I don't remember his name off hand, but he's in Yogi's book (and there's only one general store in
E Glacier).</P>
<P> </P>
<P>That said, I personally experienced snow on one day with below freezing temps that night, followed by days with temps over 100 F.....in the Bob in late June. Just because there is a cold spell does not mean that it's not hikable. Weather in Montana (in the spring at least) seems to change rapidly. Obviously, one visit and hike through there does not make me any kind of expert.....just my take on it. I wouldn't be too discouraged, though, even if it is snowy now. You could always try and turn around, or wait around in E Glacier or tour the park a few days.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Most of the hikers we were around last year opted to wear running shoes and just get their feet wet in the fords. Personally, I've never been keen on having wet feet all day, even if they do mostly dry out. I wore Goretex boots with knee high Goretex gaiters; that's just been my personal footwear choice on all three big trails. However, if I were going through the Bob again, I would definitely bring my good (1 lb) Tevas, the ones you'd wear on a rafting trip or use as camp shoes if your first thru-hike is the AT). I'd just wear them most of the early days when the fords are lined up one after the other. I'd just walk right on through them with no worries (none were deep), saving myself the angst of either a boot-to-flip-flop change or wet, cold running shoes.</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Nocona<BR><BR>--- On <B>Wed, 6/11/08, Jeff Dishman <I><dishjad@yahoo.com></I></B> wrote:<BR></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid">From: Jeff Dishman <dishjad@yahoo.com><BR>Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Cdt-l Digest, Vol 9, Issue 10<BR>To: cdt-l@backcountry.net<BR>Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 9:41 PM<BR><BR>
<DIV id=yiv1483007711>
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<P>Wow, I am so relieved to hear that E. Glacier to Benchmark isn't any harder than the High Sierra...we did PCT05 and that was hard enough with the high snow year...any thoughts on fording, are we just out of our gourds and crazy to start a SOBO this coming Tuesday based on the high snow/dumping that MT just got, or is it still a reasonable assumption that this is doable without putting our lives on the line??? Any feedback from those who have gone before us is appreciated!</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Rabbit<BR><BR>--- On <B>Wed, 6/11/08, cdt-l-request@backcountry.net <I><cdt-l-request@backcountry.net></I></B> wrote:<BR></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid">From: cdt-l-request@backcountry.net <cdt-l-request@backcountry.net><BR>Subject: Cdt-l Digest, Vol 9, Issue 10<BR>To: cdt-l@backcountry.net<BR>Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2008, 10:00 AM<BR><BR><PRE>Send Cdt-l mailing list submissions to
cdt-l@backcountry.net
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
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or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of Cdt-l digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. Re: Benchmark (R Smith)
2. Re: PocketMail Replacement (Philip Hough)
3. Re: Benchmark (Doug & Sue Carlson)
4. Re: PocketMail Replacement (Karen Somers)
5. Re: Benchmark (Karen Somers)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:22:17 -0700
From: "R Smith" <ronyon@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Benchmark
To: <cdt-l@backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <000401c8cb26$ea5390c0$6401a8c0@SMITHMOBILE>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Most thru-hikers don't like to pack more than 5-6 days of food, because of
the weight. Plus, their packs aren't designed for it. Benchmark, if it
works
out, is a good opportunity to break up the ~175-180 miles between East
Glacier & Lincoln without losing much time. Without Benchmark, Augusta
becomes an almost-necessary hitch. -Ron
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:58:43 -0400
From: "Doug & Sue Carlson" <doug-sue71@comcast.net>
Subject: [Cdt-l] RE Benchmark
To: <Cdt-l@backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <0FD9A207C41B4E129BA2BDD49020F974@douglasdea4a00>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have hiked from East Glacier to Lincoln with a couple of ladies and we
used the Benchmark Ranch. But from Benchmark down to Lincoln was like only 4
days if I remember correctly. Why not just pack a little more food and just
skip Benchmark? It would save some time, too.
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:25:53 -0700
From: Philip Hough <nowhere_man97@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] PocketMail Replacement
To: <cdt-l@backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <BAY127-W4913A1A1969EE0AE95AF290B30@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
Thanks to all who took the time to respond to my pocket mail question,
particularly to Nocona and Mags who offered some good insights.I looked very
closely at Pocketmail's website. Here is what I did and did not find. I
didn't find any obvious reference to the possibility of discontinuing their
service. No surprise. Thinking that the "fine print" my give some
insights I tried but could not find a way to view their "terms and
conditions" without beginning the "ordering process". OK, so I
started to order one just to get info......there was no way to select a service
plan on its own (without ordering a device) hmmmm......I don't need the
device, just the plan......SO, I tried to order the device.....they are all
"out of stock" or went to "error" pages.....My conclusion
is that PocketMail HAS gone out of service, or at least closed down their
website operations, which would not be a way to encourage sales........This
leaves me with two new questions:1) Is ANYONE on this lis
t currently using Pocket Mail?2) If you did not use pocket mail on your CDT
hike, what did you do for email and/or online journals? I imagine there will
be some limited opportunities for internet access, probably in the larger trail
towns that are in hitching distance, but is there a better way than searching
out the public libraries or motels/hostels that have a computer and internet?
I am looking into services which take voice over the phone and convert it into
written email text. "Jott" is one of these, but you need to register
the phone number, so a cell phone would work better than random phones - what is
the Cell coverage like? Does anyone have any experience with this, or any other
suggestions and/or any insights?Thanks!PhilPhil Hough aka Nowhere ManPO Box 393
Sagle, ID 83860
Home (208) 255-2780
Cell (208) 946-9127
nowhere_man97@hotmail.com
?Success is not final, failure is
not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.? -- Winston Churchill>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:40:41 -0400
From: "Doug & Sue Carlson" <doug-sue71@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Benchmark
To: <cdt-l@backcountry.net>
Message-ID: <B4F40FE7AB974F3A9C83F7F0442A2E73@douglasdea4a00>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
Should be no more than 10 days from Lincoln to East Glacier. Next time I do
this section I"m skipping Benchmark and pack a few more noodles.
That's just me. I like taking a day off from hiking out on the trail- just
sitting around a campsite.
And I'm always on a tight budget.
----- Original Message -----
From: "R Smith" <ronyon@comcast.net>
To: <cdt-l@backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Benchmark
> Most thru-hikers don't like to pack more than 5-6 days of food,
because of
> the weight. Plus, their packs aren't designed for it. Benchmark, if it
> works
> out, is a good opportunity to break up the ~175-180 miles between East
> Glacier & Lincoln without losing much time. Without Benchmark, Augusta
> becomes an almost-necessary hitch. -Ron
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:58:43 -0400
> From: "Doug & Sue Carlson" <doug-sue71@comcast.net>
> Subject: [Cdt-l] RE Benchmark
> To: <Cdt-l@backcountry.net>
> Message-ID: <0FD9A207C41B4E129BA2BDD49020F974@douglasdea4a00>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I have hiked from East Glacier to Lincoln with a couple of ladies and we
> used the Benchmark Ranch. But from Benchmark down to Lincoln was like only
> 4
> days if I remember correctly. Why not just pack a little more food and
> just
> skip Benchmark? It would save some time, too.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Cdt-l mailing list
> Cdt-l@backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
>
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:15:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Karen Somers <kborski@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] PocketMail Replacement
To: cdt-l@backcountry.net
Message-ID: <267307.74859.qm@web56905.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"
Nowhere Man,
&nbsp;
There is a 1-800 for Pocketmail and customer service.&nbsp; As of last
year, you could order service without buying a device by calling them; I found
their web site to be confusing.&nbsp; If you want it, I can look around for
the #.&nbsp; If I remember right, their number was in the User's Guide
and on the actual PM device, too.
&nbsp;
Before I used PM, I really enjoyed the old-fashioned pen and paper.&nbsp;
Yes, it's slower, but it is more enjoyable in many ways.&nbsp; You can
journal anywhere, any time.&nbsp; Batteries are no worry.&nbsp; Phones
no worry.&nbsp; No extra weight.&nbsp; The only catch is that, if you
want to post online, you have to have a transcriber who wants to volunteer to
type your journals and post them for you.&nbsp; I've never had a
problem finding a volunteer who wanted to help.
&nbsp;
Nocona
&nbsp;
--- On Tue, 6/10/08, Philip Hough &lt;nowhere_man97@hotmail.com&gt;
wrote:
From: Philip Hough &lt;nowhere_man97@hotmail.com&gt;
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] PocketMail Replacement
To: cdt-l@backcountry.net
Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 5:25 PM
Thanks to all who took the time to respond to my pocket mail question,
particularly to Nocona and Mags who offered some good insights.I looked very
closely at Pocketmail's website. Here is what I did and did not find. I
didn't find any obvious reference to the possibility of discontinuing their
service. No surprise. Thinking that the "fine print" my give some
insights I tried but could not find a way to view their "terms and
conditions" without beginning the "ordering process". OK, so I
started to order one just to get info......there was no way to select a service
plan on its own (without ordering a device) hmmmm......I don't need the
device, just the plan......SO, I tried to order the device.....they are all
"out of stock" or went to "error" pages.....My conclusion
is that PocketMail HAS gone out of service, or at least closed down their
website operations, which would not be a way to encourage sales........This
leaves me with two new questions:1) Is ANYONE on this list currently using
Pocket Mail?2) If you did not use pocket mail on your CDT hike, what did you do
for email and/or online journals? I imagine there will be some limited
opportunities for internet access, probably in the larger trail towns that are
in hitching distance, but is there a better way than searching out the public
libraries or motels/hostels that have a computer and internet? I am looking
into services which take voice over the phone and convert it into written email
text. "Jott" is one of these, but you need to register the phone
number, so a cell phone would work better than random phones - what is the Cell
coverage like? Does anyone have any experience with this, or any other
suggestions and/or any insights?Thanks!PhilPhil Hough aka Nowhere ManPO Box 393
Sagle, ID 83860
Home (208) 255-2780
Cell (208) 946-9127
nowhere_man97@hotmail.com
?Success is not final, failure is
not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.? -- Winston
Churchill&gt;
_______________________________________________
Cdt-l mailing list
Cdt-l@backcountry.net
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:21:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: Karen Somers <kborski@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Benchmark
To: cdt-l@backcountry.net, R Smith <ronyon@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <872709.60609.qm@web56911.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
That's also a tough section, aside from being long.&nbsp; A few big
passes (snowy for sobos, at least).&nbsp; Lots of fords and&nbsp;downed
trees.&nbsp; Some route-finding/bushwhacking through the
Scapegoat.&nbsp; Also, you have to hang all your food religously (grizzly
country).&nbsp; We found out how hard it is to get a 15 pound food bag
counterbalance in a tree!
&nbsp;
However, it is really not as tough as the High Sierra.&nbsp; So, if you are
one of those strong&nbsp;PCT vets who hiked from K. Meadows through to
Red's Meadow without a resupply, you would be better off to just skip
Benchmark/Augusta.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Nocona
--- On Tue, 6/10/08, R Smith &lt;ronyon@comcast.net&gt; wrote:
From: R Smith &lt;ronyon@comcast.net&gt;
Subject: Re: [Cdt-l] Benchmark
To: cdt-l@backcountry.net
Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008, 1:22 PM
Most thru-hikers don't like to pack more than 5-6 days of food, because of
the weight. Plus, their packs aren't designed for it. Benchmark, if it
works
out, is a good opportunity to break up the ~175-180 miles between East
Glacier &amp; Lincoln without losing much time. Without Benchmark, Augusta
becomes an almost-necessary hitch. -Ron
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:58:43 -0400
From: "Doug &amp; Sue Carlson"
&lt;doug-sue71@comcast.net&gt;
Subject: [Cdt-l] RE Benchmark
To: &lt;Cdt-l@backcountry.net&gt;
Message-ID: &lt;0FD9A207C41B4E129BA2BDD49020F974@douglasdea4a00&gt;
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I have hiked from East Glacier to Lincoln with a couple of ladies and we
used the Benchmark Ranch. But from Benchmark down to Lincoln was like only 4
days if I remember correctly. Why not just pack a little more food and just
skip Benchmark? It would save some time, too.
_______________________________________________
Cdt-l mailing list
Cdt-l@backcountry.net
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/cdt-l
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End of Cdt-l Digest, Vol 9, Issue 10
************************************</PRE></BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR></DIV><PRE>_______________________________________________
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