[pct-l] a pot for two and newbie questions

[David Thibault]

I have to second this recommendation, even for couples hiking together.
There is always the possibility of getting separated or one getting injured
and taking a week off while the other goes forward to meet up later.  One
additional point is that after about a thousand miles you may find that
your food likes/dislikes are way different from when you started the trail
and from each other.

And lastly I remember reading in a book - I think it was  "A blistered kind
of love" that once in a while you will suspect your partner is eating more
than their fair share and minor resentments can arise - I know this sounds
silly but you really can't imagine how hungry you are going to be at times
on the trail.  There are times when you will eat a big meal and a half hour
later feel as if you've skipped dinner.

Enjoy the trail - it is a great experience.

Day-Late (who was always ravenous from Yosemite north)


> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 27
> Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2012 18:43:50 -0800
> From: CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] a pot for two and newbie questions
> To: Louisa Fischer <lulu.3 at hotmail.de>
> Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Message-ID:
>        <CABc=HNkPfEq5z4dZHTrgQYdHGU6hAYdexBr5deW6G_K4oPu4vQ at mail.gmail.com
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
>
> Good morning, Lousia,
>
> I?m a long-time and committed ultra-lite hiker, but I?m about to recommend
> that you add a bit of weight to your load.  If you wish, please feel free
> to value my advice at exactly what you paid for it.
>
> It can be wonderful to hike with a close friend, but over 4-5 months and
> 2,663 miles things can change.  Hiking styles are different or they change
> during a trip.  Very often hiking partners separate: Maybe sooner, maybe
> later, maybe temporarily, maybe forever, but usually while remaining
> friends.  In the event of separation what?s to be done about shared gear?
>
> No matter with whom I hike, where, or for however long, I am always totally
> self-reliant with my own gear.  If I were to become separated from others,
> if I wish to leave town early, or take an extra half-day I can.  If I care
> to eat glue-stew for breakfast and oatmeal in the evening, I can.  I don?t
> have to worry if someone else wanders off with THE compass and THE maps.
>
> I have no idea how you value self-reliance, but I value it very highly.  A
> small amount of extra gear provides options for both partners and can
> significantly reduce social stress.
>
> Specifically, I don?t carry either a pot or a stove.  I?ve heard good
> things about MicroSpikes but I don?t own them.  For low snow years you
> might consider shoe-screws:
> http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=264768 or, like most hikers, use
> nothing at all on the sneakers.
>
>