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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=250082302-29022008>I thru-hiked the PCT
in 1996, pre-ADZPCTKO. My start date was May 8 and I met my first fellow
thru-hiker in Idyllwild, and that was in town, not the trail! It wasn't
until Wrightwood when I started seeing more hikers consistently and even then it
was in small groups. I loved solitude and by the time I started meeting
other hikers I was ready for their companionship on the trail.
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=250082302-29022008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=250082302-29022008>If I were starting a
thru-hike these days I would avoid the herd to the greatest extend
possible. I cannot imaging starting a beautiful journey with so many
people. But I did attend the ADZPCTKO in 2006 as a non-hiker and I found
it to be inspiring and fun. The event is well run and and the people who
volunteer to organize it, feed everyone and clean up afterwards are very
dedicated.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=250082302-29022008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=250082302-29022008>If starting a
thru-hike this year and I had the extra time I would attend the ADZPCTKO and get
a ride to Idyllwild after it's over, camp out in the campground near town, do
some training hikes up San Jacinto for a week and drink beer every
evening. Before getting on the PCT I might even go to San Diego and catch
a Padres game. On May 8 I would get myself to Campo and start my
thru-hike. By then the number of hikers starting will be tolerable.
I would forget the party scene and hike like a madman. I would
increase my mileage gradually and start doing 30 miles days in the Piutes
between Agua Dulce and Walker Pass. In K-Meadows I would probably start
catching up to many the folks who started in late April. I would avoid the
herd but meet the rest of the thru-hikers on my terms and not on the ADZPCTKO
schedule. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=250082302-29022008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=250082302-29022008>L-Rod's concerns
about the herd are real and should be listened to. But I also think the
ADZPCTKO is fun. Be creative and find a way to have the best of both
worlds! It may be your only chance to thru-hike the PCT on your
terms!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<P><I><FONT face=Arial size=2>Roger Carpenter</FONT></I> <BR><I><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Vancouver, Washington</FONT></I> <BR><I><FONT face=Arial
size=2>www.elkpass.com</FONT></I> </P>
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