[pct-l] NOBO late start date....bad year for it

[Donna Saufley]

Truthfully, it doesn't look any easier for folks starting in mid-April this
year.  There will be minimal advantage to starting earlier with regard to
water sources.  There's little to no water now.  It won't be much different
later on.  The temperatures have been so bizarre, and our weather so
unusual, there's no predicting what's to come.  While I would certainly
welcome it, but don't expect it this year, we've had cold, wet Junes before.


L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Scott Polewach
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 6:49 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] NOBO late start date....bad year for it

Well...it turns out that this year seems to be a terrible time to start a 
NOBO hike towards the middle of May.  I planned on doing Springer-Harper's 
Ferry on the AT before headed out West to do the PCT, and will be starting 
may 18th.  I figure out that shpwing up in real good hiking shape will be a 
huge advantage for the desert section.

I picked such a late starting date because I enjoy hiking faster/longer days

and I figured that if I started may 18th I'd still hit Kennedy Meadows 
towards the middle/end of June.


So...the desert section sounds like it will be real brutal this year for me.

  I plan on doing almost only nighthiking (carrying a solar charger and 
recharchable batteries with a zipkia), spending my afternoons by water 
sources and drinking obscene amounts of water while trying to sleep under a 
shade spot/tarp.


I also plan on adding a hydration lumbar/fanny to my current setup so that I

can carry lots of water (8 Liters should cut it?), or even using a giant 
camelbak instead of a normal backpack until I get to KM.  I also plan on 
having a small resevoir that I actually drink of so that I can know how much

water I'm going through.


Will all this be enough, or should I think about just hopping a bus to KM 
and flip-flopping?  Is there a bailout from the desert if it's too rough 
after a couple of days where I could hitch/catch a bus to KM and flip-flop?

Will trying to do the desert in the fall be even more brutal than trying to 
do it in May?  Should I try getting my flight moved up?


thanks

Hermes

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