[pct-l] Newbie questions from Uncle Billy

[Stephen]

Yeah ! What Kelly said.
On the other hand, I used to get a kick out of sneering at the Jardinettes. 
I'll never forget the most seemingly unhappy couple people I ever met who 
just looked miserable.  Looked like they were trying to follow Jardine's 
doctrine to the "T".  I tried talking to one of these fellas and it was 
grumble grumble and not much else.  I swear  no one must have told him you 
still have to do the walking part.  The happiest people I have met, and I 
have met a bunch, have been mostly kids, but ussually those packing light 
but not Ultra.  I haven't persoanlly met Monty I don't think, and I'm sure 
there are plenty of Ultras having a great time, but thinking about it, the 
Ultras seem stressed, somehow worth sneering at.  I'llalso never forget 
casting up and down the Southfork Kings ford for a better crossing and then 
taking a break at the ford when along comes ultra light hiker who doesn't 
even slow down and just takes this wild jump, slides off yon slime covered 
rock and goes hobbling off up the trail.  What is the friggin hurry?  I hope 
he was OK.  Light is supposed to be fun, more enjoybale walking, which I 
find to be the case, so Iwonder if some of these folks I run accross are 
over stretching themselves a bit.  30 miles in the Sierra is a real MF'r no 
matter what you got on your back, so pace yourself and enjoy it; the days 
are long. When I pulled 30 miles once with about twenty pounds I started 
IIRC not until about 8:30 AM at the earliest and finished hiking right at 
dark and a little beyond.  No big deal, and I was still having fun right up 
until those last couple miles where I had to be really careful not to take 
myself out rushing along too fast.
Please slow down and enjoy the Sierra.  They been there a million years, 
give or a take a million years, you'll be there a few days.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kelly Cohoe" <kellycohoe at comcast.net>
To: "Bill Thoms" <wthomsjr at comcast.net>; <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Newbie questions from Uncle Billy


Hey Bill,

I have also wondered about being "sneered at" by ultra lighters, but I have
decided that I really don't give a _______!  I like my tent.  It is small,
lightweight and gives me a great sense of comfort every time I crawl into
it.  I am older (47) and remember backpacking with 60 lb packs.  While I am
grateful for all the new technology, have learned a lot from the ultra light
approach, and brought my top weight down to around 30lbs - I think you
should feel free to carry what works best for you.

HYOH and enjoy the gift of backpacking without worrying about what others
may think of you or your gear.  It seems a bit counterproductive to feel
pressured to purchase all the newest gear when one of the great things about
being on the trail is the opportunity to step away from our consumer
oriented, frenetically paced, keep up with the next person culture.  Just my
thoughts!

Kelly Cohoe

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Thoms" <wthomsjr at comcast.net>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 10:34 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Newbie questions from Uncle Billy


With my only High Sierra multi-day experience a rapturous week in Yosemite I
am planning a PCT section hike this year.  My Yosemite hike pack (REI UL 30
- 3lbs) weighed nearly 30 lbs fully loaded with two 1.5L water bags and
filter, a week's food, bear canister, Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight tent
mini-bungee corded to the pack- almost 4 lbs with poles, stakes, & fly but
roomy for one and big enough for two, 2 ½ lb 20 degree down bag, pad, etc. I
also carried trekking poles.  The only item I would have left behind was a
down jacket that I hardly used. Questions: 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.

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