[pct-l] Newbie questions from Uncle Billy

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Feb 13, 2009, at 12:03 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Will I be sneered at by the
> ultralight hikers?  And should spend the $$ to shed some weight?  I  
> like my
> tent and I don?t like bugs.

You will not be sneered at. People only talk about gear for a few  
hundred miles. Then all that totally wears off and you start to  
become one with the experience, with the trail, with nature, with the  
hiking. Eventually, the most important thing is being alive and  
eating food and finding water and the friends you've made.

You should always spend your money supporting the things in life that  
are truly meaningful to you. So if your gear is not up to the task,  
certainly buy some better gear. But if you love it and it works,  
forget about it. Enjoy your trip!