[pct-l] Planning first solo PCT hike

[Denis Stanton]

Hi Grete

Please don't carry a gun.  I'm doing a small section in your 'target' area next month and I don't want to worry about hikers packing guns.  The only guns I have ever seen on the PCT were being worn by a team of LAPD out on a team-building exercise.  They looked completely out of place.  And so did their guns.

Statistically the PCT is a very safe place.  The biggest dangers you might face will be hypothermia due to inadequate gear for cold weather and possibly misjudged river crossings. A gun won't help.  A box of matches might.

Last year I had the experience of being momentarily threatened by a fairly large bear who was eating up some supplies thoughtlessly left on the steps of an unoccupied ranger station.  If I had had a gun someone might have been hurt (probably me, as I've never handled one).  Fortunately I had a whistle instead and we were able to negotiate along the lines "if you come any closer I'll blow my whistle again".  

I usually hike alone, but there are lots of other like-minded people on the PCT and it's extremely likely, if you are hiking the Sierra in late June or July, that you will fall in with other PCT hikers that suit your pace and temperament so you won't be alone unless you want to be.

regards

Denis Stanton

On 24/05/2010, at 10:50 AM, Grete Martinson wrote:

> 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!
>