[pct-l] Planning first solo PCT hike

[Jim Banks]

Hi Grete, there is no need to carry a gun on the trail.  I would not give
much weight to advice from non-hikers.  I personally own lots of guns and go
to the pistol and rifle range frequently, but I never carry a gun on the
trail.  First of all, the gun and bullets are too heavy.  You have enough to
carry as it is.  Second, unless you wear it in a holster on your hip, it
would take too long to access even if you wanted/needed to use it.  Third,
it would be really out of place among the other hikers and would make most
people very nervous about being around you (myself included).

Yes, you can have a trail name even if you are not a thru hiker.  Keep in
mind that there are many, many, many more section hikers than there are thru
hikers and it is our trail just as much as it is theirs.  You will have the
time of your life hiking from Kennedy Meadows north.  It will blow you away
(no gun pun intended)!

I-Beam

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Grete Martinson
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:50 PM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Planning first solo PCT hike

Greetings

I'm planning my first solo hike on the PCT- Kennedy Meadows to possibly
Sierra City.  I've done plenty of long distance bush walks with friends in
Australia but none here at home and none by myself.
I've been getting a lot of "advice" from non-hikers who encourage me to take
a gun for personal protection.  I am not taking a gun because I don't want
to believe they have a place on the trail in addition to the fact that I
have no training at all and don't want to use one etc.
Basically what I'm looking for is a little reassurance from this community
that a gun is unnecessary.  I'm hoping that I will meet plenty of people
along the way and won't be hiking great distances by myself.  I'm looking
for any advice from people who know because they do! Thanks-
Happy trails to all!

~G

ps. Can you have a trail name even if you aren't a thru hiker?
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