Addition stuff needed and Hike Planning

Purchase several new items, one being an ice axe for self arresting another being
kahtoola micro-spikes (something similar to crampons).  I was planning the hike
and based on other blogs found that the part of the Sierra's that I will be hiking
you need this stuff for safety and to make it easier crossing ice.  I also purchased
the Pacific Crest Trail Data book from PCT organization as most blogs suggest it.
Don't know if I will use it as I have PCT Atlas from Blackwoods Press and it
seems like I am just duplicating info across it, Yogi's guide and the data book.
When I hiked the Appalachian Trail back in 2005 I found that I really did not
need maps but the data book was invaluable, reading the blogs about PCT
suggest that this time both will be invaluable as PCT is not as notably marked
with guide marks as the Appalachian Trail and if fact some map and compass
work will be required. I also realized that bringing the cell phone is a good idea but possess a problem I hadn't though of and that is roaming charges.  The cell phone was going to be my alarm clock, gps, weather watch item, mp3 player, journal system for keeping notes and for posting those items to the online journal as well as a safety line for calling for help.  That's alone for one piece of equipment just gotta get the roaming thing with the phone done properly. I am also still working on my finances for this hike, having a problem lowering my expenses due to work, family and myself in general.  I feel the challenges will be met, but if not I may have to put off this hike to 2013 and I really do not want to do that.  Well that's it for this edition of the blog, hope to see you all soon and happy hiking.

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Content and Other Problems.

problems

Tonights blog is going to be mostly a video Blog
Explaining where I have been and what has happened.

Tonight again just a video blog, and fun.

First safety item should be a whistle, something to get

 other peoples attention and to scare away animals.

  Second item bandages and a small bottle antiseptic solution.

 Third item wrapped around hiking poles would be some duct tape,

 not a lot just enough to fix damage to a tent, pack or yourself. Do not

 forget Advil or Tylenol for headaches and aches and pains. 

 I did a camping trip with my older nephew once when he was

 very young to a national park I liked.  The first night out I got

 a blinding headache and no tylenol or aspirin in sight, I almost

 went insane that night with pain.  A cell phone in case you need

 to make an emergency call. though due check the coverage on

 your hike, some phones get bad coverage in mountainous terrain. 

 My own cell phone gets great coverage, acts as a GPS unit,

Alarm clock, and News service.  I hope to have it get weather for

 the area’s I am hiking as I would hate to end up in bad situation

just because I did not know the weather conditions.  Always be

 aware of what the weather conditions are like when and where

 doing a hike, this more than any thing else could save your life.

  Doing the Appalachian trail hike in 2005, I had maps with me

 and I found the trail was always well marked however I should

 of, didn’t have, but should of had either a compass or GPS unit

 just in case I got lost.  Sun block and Mosquito repellant as

 needed to avoid other issues.  I also plan to find some decent

 sun glasses that cover the sides as well.  During my 2005 hike

 some of the bugs hovered right in from of you than dove into

 you eyes, not fun when scrambling over rocks. That is it for the

 safety items, some other things such as bears were covered in

 my early blogs and as for snakes do some reading and be aware.

Read more:http://www.myspace.com/anarkist4now/blog?bID=538743350#ixzz0yESNK6fw

Other Equipment

This blog is dealing with other hiking equipment

not yet covered.  It will not be dealing with safety

equipment that will be tomorrows blog.  First off

one of the things mentioned was the different

between what is put on the back and shoulders

and the difference on the legs.   Some people do

not use hiking poles, I however like them a lot.

  The main reason I like them is they make it easy

on my legs and have prevented me from falling

a few times.  I have no real preference for type

just a good solid built set that is light weight and

collapsible.  On my 2005 hike I used my skiing

poles and they worked great, they just weren’t

very collapsible and when you are in town to pick

up supplies it helps a lot.  For sleeping bags I

have no real preference this is however a very

tricky item.  I prefer down to foam as it packs

smaller, however price is an issue here because

the better and smaller the sleeping bag the

higher the cost.  For my 2005 hike a purchase

a +5 bag cheap, should of had a better lower

rated bag but I did not want to spend the

money on it and for the most part the bag

was okay, not great just okay.  So for the up

coming PCT hike I purchase a better bag

spent quit a lot doing it but I prefer comfort

and warmth over being cold.  Now under the

sleeping bag goes a pad either foam or air or

a combo of both.  Therma-rest makes several

types as does Big Agnes, Coleman and others.

Find one you like take it and all you equipment

into a field or backyard and try them out before

you do a big hike. You do not want to spend

an uncomfortable 6 months trying to look sane

as you go insane. Now as for bathing equipment

one towel, a bar of soap, tooth brush (shortened),

toothpaste and some baby wipes and that is it for

personal hygiene products and this blog.

See you all tomorrow.

P.S remember to buy a hiking backpack big enough for all

your stuff and not to heavy, for this check out Go-lite and

Granite Gear.

Clothing and lightweight issue.

The main issue with clothing is not actually what

to bring but more or less what now to bring as this

is the area that most people either under pack

or over pack.  Both sides have there issues, if

you under pack you made freeze and if you over

pack you may not have enough room for food or

something else as important.  The main reason

however that you should go lighter is that every

pound on you back is four to five times that,

maybe more,  on your legs and feet.

Lets start with the bottom up approach here and go

with you feet.  Most hikers tend to start out with

hiking boots for the rough terrain, however most

of the terrain you travel over is just as rough as

stuff you go over every day.  So why then are

hiking boots so popular, I would say good

advertising and the fact most people want to

play it safe.  There are only a couple of spots on

the trail where boots are better than shoes and

they are few and far between.  I found this out

on my 2005 hike as I did just over 500 miles in

a pair of hiking boots and switched to a lighter

pair of hiking shoes.  The switch was not just for

the light weight factor but due mainly to the fact

the shoes dried faster that the boots and avoided

me getting foot fungus and the like.  You should

also bring along sandals, a pair that is light weight

and not to expense as you could lose them as you

tend to wear this around the shelters or your

camping site once you are done hiking for the day.

The next item is socks, one pair on you feet one pair

in your pack and that is it, no liners or other foot

gear like gaiters.  I have seen several people try to

use gaiters and they are more of a pain than they

are worth, in my opinion any way. 

Polypro under garments for a real cold snap on top

of the spare set of normal under garments you packed.

One set of rain gear and this is trick, my rain gear

packs small but a lot of rain gear sold does not, try

and find the lightest and smallest packing rain gear

that fits. Also make sure the rain gear is well ventilated

cause if its not, your own sweat will soak your body.

Then a set of fleece garments and one extra set of

shirt and shorts for hiking and that should be it.

Play with the clothing and check out Erik the Blacks

site which is Blackwoods Press as he shows you how

to mix and match clothing for the best effects.  Buy a

hat, Tilly or something similar for rain and sun, That is

it have a good week everyone.