RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 29, 2015 18:48:01 GMT -8
I got an email from Katz today. He is planning on doing the Oregon section of the PCT this year.
When I did the JMT with him he wanted us to drive into to the TH for Independence Pass and bury some resupply buckets there at the TH.
I told him I didn't think that was an approved method of resupply.
Instead I talked him into doing the 120 miles or so into Vermillion Valley Resort.
On the PCT he is planning to resupply himself by burying resupply buckets along the way. I don't think he is planning on any town stops.
This is his email to me:
I have studied the PCT website which is very comprehensive in maps and trail details. I have ordered several books about the PCT in Oregon from the library, which should be in soon. I am planning to bury my food supplies at the 9 major trail road crossings so as to keep my pack weight a light as possible. There is a bus station 10 miles from the border of Oregon and Washington. This way I can catch a bus home. There are not any towns near the PCT trail, until close to the end of the trail.
If he quits along the way, what happens to those buried resupply buckets? I don't know. I just thought I would share this for comment.
I begin the AZT in 9- 10 weeks. Sounds like Katz is going solo. I wish him luck. And I am not pressing him for any details.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 29, 2015 19:13:18 GMT -8
His best chance to bail early NOBO will be at Crater Lake, or Mt Thielsen just north of the park. If he makes it past SR 58, he will be entering the longest, driest section, IMO. From Thielsen to the Sisters is very tough, and then come Mts Washington, Jefferson, and Hood.
I hope he survives this effort.
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 29, 2015 19:53:23 GMT -8
If he makes it past SR 58, he will be entering the longest, driest section, IMO. That is not Katz' kind of trail. I don't think he has ever carried more than 2- 3 qts of water at a time. This is not my hike. I wish him well, too. Personally, I give him 3 weeks on the trail and what buckets he doesn't pick up just get abandoned out there. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 30, 2015 9:41:36 GMT -8
From what you've told us of him, I'd say your assessment is probably accurate, RD. It occurs to me to wonder if he'll be able to find all those buckets even if he does go on. He does't use a GPS, does he?
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 30, 2015 12:43:44 GMT -8
He does't use a GPS, does he? I have not seen him use a GPS or heard him talk about using one. |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 30, 2015 15:24:38 GMT -8
Maybe he will put a key finder in each bucket, and then press a button when he gets close, so it will beep at him. key finder
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 30, 2015 16:20:47 GMT -8
Maybe he will put a key finder in each bucket, and then press a button when he gets close, so it will beep at him. key finder That is a hoot! LOL |
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 30, 2015 16:51:04 GMT -8
I've been thinking about doing this with my bear canister, so if they roll it off I can still find it.
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Dec 30, 2015 18:37:56 GMT -8
Clever idea. Mini bears won't take it far, but one can never tell when a bear may keep knocking it into the next twilight zone.
I noticed that the bear canisters are not odor sealed. A bear could very easily smell a canister and come in at night to play with it. I haven't heard of any bears doing that, but I often thought while on the JMT- my canister should be further away from my tent.
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BlueBear
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Post by BlueBear on Jan 14, 2016 16:09:54 GMT -8
The buckets don't seem a good idea, especially if he's relying on them.
Animals are likely to dig them up, at least partially. If they can get into them they will, otherwise it'll just leave an exposed bucket that someone (a ranger or otherwise) very well may remove. It'd suck to get to an empty road crossing and find your bucket removed.
There are "lockers" along a few CA stops on the PCT where hikers will leave supplies, but those are metal lockers with a lock. Burying a bucket in the ground is a different story.
Is he planning on backtracking when he's done and picking up all the mostly-empty buckets afterward?
- Mike
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Jan 22, 2016 20:12:41 GMT -8
Is he planning on backtracking when he's done and picking up all the mostly-empty buckets afterward? I doubt that very much since he is planning on taking a bus back to his home in CA. I exchanged emails with him about his plans about 10 days ago. He has a new tent and new rain gear. He never heard there were mosquitos in OR. He doesn't like town days. Personally, I think he doesn't like spending money and the buckets would be cheap, no town days needed. I asked him what happens if a trail is closed for fire or some other unforeseen reason. He had no reply for that. I know he wanted me to bury a bucket at Independence TH this summer but I wanted nothing to do with that. First, its against regulations in that area. And I wondered how we would retrieve the empty buckets afterwards. Those things didn't bother him. This year we are going our own ways. |
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