[pct-l] Planning First Solo Hike

[Amanda L Silvestri]

Your non-hiker friends mean well, but they are not hikers.  Guns are not needed along the PCT.  People bring a gun will usually do so out of fear.  Fear is the product of ignorance.  The best weapon against ignorance is knowledge.  What would you use a gun on?  

A Black Bear can be frightened away by a human wearing a backpack (thus appearing to be large) making a lot of noise and fainting a charge. You are not likely to meet any other kind of bear on the PCT.

Likewise, a mountain loin will avoid you unless it is starving or insane.  The amount of effort needed to subdue you is not worth it to the big cat.  A rabbit is an easier meal.  You can easily scare a large cat away by being assertive.  Pray is seldom assertive.  Just don't run as that could trigger their chase response.

Coyotes will avoid you as much as they can and there are no real wolves along the PCT.  Snakes find that you are too big to eat and therefore only want to get out of your way, even rattle snakes.  You can step on scorpions or flick them away with your trekking pole.  Of course as always, avoiding them is best.

People who would rob you are more likely to be in town or near a crossroad.  Hiking into the backcountry is too much trouble for them to go to.

There are two creatures that may attack you and even draw blood.  They are the fly and mosquito.  They can be bad in some areas, but I don't think a gun would be of much help in dealing with them.

No, I don't think that you will need a gun.  What you will need is insect repellent and perhaps a bug net.  You could bring some bear repellent, but it is unlikely that you will even need that.  Your best defense is to use a bear can.  Don't surprise any large carnivore you come across, but let it know that you are there and that you see it and are coming on anyway (that will intimidate it).  Attitude, not reckless, but bold, will serve you well.

Your friends mean well but don't allow their fears to spoil your good time.  Go out there and enjoy yourself, take in the scenery, and breathe the fresh air.  Just don't bring their fears along with you.

Shepherd