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gluke bastid
Stinky Bum



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6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer
#10290117 - 05/05/09 12:30 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Well folks its official. Me and the little lady are going to be doing some backpacking this summer. Yup. We're headed out to Glacier National Park to do a one week trip and then on to the coast to do all of the Washington section of the PCT.
Can't wait!
I'm going to be compiling a gear list and itinerary and figured I might as well do it here on the shroomery in this thread, maybe get some feedback and advice, and then come back at the end of the summer and post some pics. 
Right now the big question is food. We have a food dehydrator, and thanks to a particularly fruitful (har har) trip to Trader Joe's dumpster we have two whole garbage bags full of banannas that have been dried into chips. That's the plan for the high carb snack. We've also been dehydrating chili for dinners, as well as whole wheat pasta for the complex carb feasting.
I have a copy of Ray Jardine's "Beyond Backpacking" and I'm going to try and push for some of the light techniques. I'm particularly into the idea of sewing and carrying a Jardine style quilt, and carrying no sleeping bags. Seems do-able considering we will be backpacking during the warmest months, and we'll save ourselves about 5 lbs combined on packweight. Think we'll still bring a tent though. What do y'all think?
I'll be back with more updates as they come.
-Gluke
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Society in every form is a blessing, but government at its best is but a necessary evil - Thomas Paine
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Hendostan


Registered: 07/18/04
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: gluke bastid]
#10290456 - 05/05/09 01:33 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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i think you may want to carry sleeping bags while in glacier, because the weather there can be unpredictable even in the summer. it might well be worth the extra 2 or 3 lbs. definitely carry bear spray with you too, they are fairly dense in the park. cool plan man, i've never done any pct, but glacier's backcountry is fucking fantastic.
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gluke bastid
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Registered: 12/20/00
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: Hendostan]
#10290503 - 05/05/09 01:40 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Quote:
Hendostan said: i think you may want to carry sleeping bags while in glacier, because the weather there can be unpredictable even in the summer. it might well be worth the extra 2 or 3 lbs. definitely carry bear spray with you too, they are fairly dense in the park. cool plan man, i've never done any pct, but glacier's backcountry is fucking fantastic.
Cool thanks for the tip. I'm definitely planning for the possibility of below freezing temperatures and lots of cold, wet rain. Even in the middle of summer. We'll probably bring both the sleeping bags and the quilt into glacier, and see if the quilt keeps us warm enough. That way, we can make an informed decision for the PCT.
I'm scared of the grizzlies. No question. Bear spray will be on hand as well as bear bells or something to let those bigguns know we are coming. From what I understand, the last thing you want to do is startle a griz.
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Society in every form is a blessing, but government at its best is but a necessary evil - Thomas Paine
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Hendostan


Registered: 07/18/04
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: gluke bastid]
#10293927 - 05/05/09 10:28 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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yeah, they can be amazing and terrifying.. i definitely carry bear spray, but i think the bells are kind of excessive. even though there is risk involved, the chances of an encounter are pretty small, and i don't want some damn bells scaring off the elk, goats, rams, or other cool wildlife you'll be seeing. keep an eye out for the signs of bears.. tracks, scat, etc, common sense with food, and you should be just fine.
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gotcha420haha
Not Available



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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: Hendostan]
#10369059 - 05/20/09 10:58 AM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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I agree about the sleeping bags, I think you have a good plan.
I will def. be needing to see some pics of this trip.
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"Sometimes I wonder, If I know where I am going. I go for a walk and it seems like I have been walking for years and years and I don't know where I'm going. I hear the sound leading me on."
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ToTheSummit
peregrinus



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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: gluke bastid]
#10370524 - 05/20/09 03:59 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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Color me green...I'm jealous! I've packed through some sections of the PCT in Californias High Sierras. Absolutely stunning! I'd love to have the time to get away and do some serious packing this summer. Unfortunately its just gonna be weekend getaways for me this year.
Quote:
gluke bastid said: Bear spray will be on hand as well as bear bells or something to let those bigguns know we are coming. From what I understand, the last thing you want to do is startle a griz.
A park ranger once told me jokingly "You know how to identify grizzly shit? Its the shit with the bear bells in it."  I think the bells are more hype then anything. A little common sense (and some bear spray just in case) and you'll be fine.
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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gluke bastid
Stinky Bum



Registered: 12/20/00
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: ToTheSummit]
#10371705 - 05/20/09 07:03 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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I'm bringing bear spray, but its a last resort. And I do mean last...as in if I do my best to ignore the bear and it charges me. If I come to my food bag and find a bear going at it, its his. I'd rather hike out hungry than fuck with a bear. I've done plenty of research and almost all bear attacks come from a bear trying to get at food and a person coming in their way.
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Society in every form is a blessing, but government at its best is but a necessary evil - Thomas Paine
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fung_us_among_us



Registered: 12/08/02
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: gluke bastid]
#10379289 - 05/21/09 11:09 PM (14 years, 8 months ago) |
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That sounds like a lot of fun! I've been reading a lot about the PCT lately, and bought a copy of their data book. I'm sure you've already got one but just in case you don't.. get it! It's very helpful.
I've never hiked it, not even parts, but was thinking about trying to make it from down here near Palm Springs where the trail is closest to me, up to Oregon where I am from. Sort of like a long hike all the way home.
Someday I'll do the whole thing though. Promise.
You heard about the Continental Divide and Appalacian Trail? They sounds like a lot of fun too.
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RogerRabbit
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: fung_us_among_us]
#10476197 - 06/09/09 09:30 AM (14 years, 7 months ago) |
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Once you get to Washington, all you'll find are black bears, and every encounter I've had, they climbed a tree at first sight of my dogs and me, especially considering that my rotti/black lab takes off chasing them. We do have very large kitties around here though, so be warned.
As you travel from Montana to Western WA, you'll pass right by here. Look into doing the Kettle Crest 13 as a warmup for the PCT. It's 30 miles along the ridge of the mountain with great views the whole way. You could park your car at Stevens pass, and I could drop you off at the other end. Our cabin is only 15 miles from the north trailhead at boulder creek pass.
You'll need a tent to hide from the skeeters in the early evening, and I wouldn't do it without a sleeping bag. It drops to below freezing most nights when you're at elevation, which is most of the way. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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GabbaDj
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Re: 6 nights in glacier and 500 miles on the PCT this summer [Re: gluke bastid]
#10538635 - 06/19/09 05:59 PM (14 years, 7 months ago) |
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Planning the PCT can be a whole lot of fun. Find out if parts of your trip will run through some small towns. You can often make reservations for a shower and laundry night at a local hotel and you can mail packages that will be waiting for you when you get there.. For a 500 mile trip, I would try and plan several of them. Its a real treat to have supplies already packed and waiting for you at points along the trail.
-------------------- GabbaDj FAMM.ORG
Edited by GabbaDj (06/19/09 06:21 PM)
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