[pct-l] No Zeros in Motels

[Ned Tibbits]

Time doesn’t much matter on the trail, the weather can be the same, the geography is the same, for the most part, even the ways we get around out there can be the same, so whether you consider how a thru hike was accomplished in 1974 vs. 2011, the principles are foundational.

I think, the major difference between how I did my treks on the PCT and CDT and the way things are done now is based on style, travel heavy and stay on-trail longer or travel light and have to go on and off trail frequently for resupply. I keep talking about staying out longer just to counterpoint the current trend. You can still HYOH, though you might get some opinionated buffeting...


Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
www.mountaineducation.org

From: Daniel Zellman 
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2012 5:15 AM
To: Ned Tibbits 
Cc: mark utzman ; pct-l at backcountry.net 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] No Zeros in Motels

Thanks so much, Ned! Didn't realize it was so long ago that you did it. A lot will  have changed since then, but this is definitely much appreciated. 

-dz


On Tue, Nov 6, 2012 at 2:52 PM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

  Hey, Dan!

  My resupply location-choices list from 1974 was based on where friends/family lived, for the most part. Since it took almost two years, starting in 1972, for me, a 15-year-old at the time, to plan my hike, I had time to solicit them and to drive the route the summer prior to look for locals who might, also, hold a box for me.

  So, of my 13 drive-out drop-boxes, I selected 10 locations: 
  Fawnskin/CA, 
  Weldon/CA, 
  Cedar Grove/KCNP/CA, 
  Yosemite/CA, 
  Echo Summit/CA, 
  Old Station/CA, 
  Copco Lake/CA, 
  Odell Lake/ORE, 
  Cascade Locks/ORE,
  Snoqualmie Pass/WA,
  and Rainy Pass/WA.. (These boxes were sent to those who would later drive out to meet me).  

  I utilized only one Post Office, in Mojave/CA.

  I found one person living near the trail, who worked for Crater Lake NP, by the name of Ms. Elva Michael, who volunteered to hold a box for me.  Of interest to many on this List, the name of Elva Michael should ring a bell. This was the person Eric Ryback referred to as the “Park Superintendent” on p. 90 of his famous book, “The High Adventure of Eric Ryback.” I just happened to bump into her working behind the Park Information desk the summer before my hike. She wasn’t the Park Superintendent! I spent the night on the floor of her garage cleaning and restocking my Kelty pack and boxing Kodachrome 25 film, my journal, and used, full-sized topo maps to ship home the next day when I continued hiking north July 4th.


  Ned Tibbits, Director
  Mountain Education
  www.mountaineducation.org

  From: Daniel Zellman 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2012 5:52 AM
  To: Ned Tibbits 
  Cc: mark utzman ; pct-l at backcountry.net 
  Subject: Re: [pct-l] No Zeros in Motels

  Ned, 

  That's what we're hoping to do as well -- hoping to avoid towns and hotels and "civilization" generally, and stay on the trail as much as possible. I wonder if you'd be able/willing to share your resupply list?


  On Mon, Nov 5, 2012 at 8:03 PM, Ned Tibbits <ned at mountaineducation.org> wrote:

    That's the way I did it! The idea was to spend as much time in the mountains
    as I could and only resupply via boxes mailed to me in various places,
    ranger stations, highway crossings, and to friends nearby who could drive a
    box out to meet me.


    Ned Tibbits, Director
    Mountain Education
    www.mountaineducation.org



    -----
    From: mark utzman
    Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 5:56 PM

    Hello all, Has anyone thru-hiked the entire PCT without laying over in a
    motel? Strictly camping out? Just curious.  Mark




-- 
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
    --Buddhist proverb
-----------------------------------



www.sunnatamassage.com


Daniel Zellman, LMT, CMLDT
danielzellman at gmail.com
512.293.9315