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Post by helikopta on Oct 26, 2017 12:05:01 GMT -8
Hi there I am putting together a team of people to do a thru hike of the PCT. There's 3 in the team at the moment (UK and US) and we are looking for 2 more max. I am a Type 1 Diabetic so a team approach makes this adventure possible for me and also makes the trek more unique. We intend to set off around 20th April 2019 and already have some major sponsors on board. If you would like to join, want more info or have any questions then post on here or contact me on shepherdh@rocketmail.com Thanks  Helen |
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Oct 26, 2017 14:13:52 GMT -8
I would highly recommend shakedown 3-4 day hikes with all members prior to the main event. Have witnessed team approach fall apart on multiple occasions. Simple stuff, like when to stop for the day, campsite selection, distribution of team gear, different strides, food preferences, minor things become amplified. Essentially a thru-hike with that number of people is an expedition. On the trail, an individual's true personality becomes very evident and irrevocable. Best wishes and good luck!
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 26, 2017 18:12:34 GMT -8
Essentially a thru-hike with that number of people is an expedition. Through hiking with a group is stoopid. There are too many variables and group dynamics will cause a lot of rift. Better to just do it as individuals. If you meet up at times and camp together on occasion it will be a better plan in my opinion. Read trail journals and you'll catch my drift. www.trailjournals.com/journals/pacific_crest_trail/2017edit: there are a few diabetics who have done the PCT with one other partner. Again, they pretty much hiked separately, but stayed close enough to keep an eye on each other. There was a guy that was type 2, I've looked for his TR but can't find it. He was hiking with a guy named Piper. Not the woman named Piper. He had a very good TR as well. edit 2: by the way, welcome to the club. On trail journals look for freebird and chuckie v. I think they did it around 2009; excellent commentary.. www.trailjournals.com/journal/9246www.trailjournals.com/journal/4028 |
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crawford
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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
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Post by crawford on Oct 27, 2017 5:45:38 GMT -8
Having done large group hikes a few times, nothing as ambitious as a through hike, there can be issues with group dynamic, but there are also benefits.
I agree with the shake down hikes being a good training and break in tool. If you can, hitting the trail for a few days is really beneficial to get folks working together.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 27, 2017 6:17:12 GMT -8
Having done large group hikes a few times, nothing as ambitious as a through hike, there can be issues with group dynamic, but there are also benefits. I've not done a through hike so am out of my league. I just don't see a large group would work for 2700 miles. But what the heck. Give it a go and let us know how it pans out. |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Oct 27, 2017 8:25:29 GMT -8
If I were putting together a "dream team" I'd suggest
One person who loves to cook.
Another person who is all into the planning and logistics
An excellent navigator and map junkie
Someone who has done a trip like this before and is knowledgeable about gear
Bonus if you can find a person who has two or more of these traits.
All four (or so) need to be in decent shape, be comfortable going for some time without a shower, and being generally amicable.
Adding more people compounds the complexity considerabley.
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Post by helikopta on Oct 27, 2017 11:33:30 GMT -8
Hi all.
Thanks for the responses, in particular the details of the other diabetic hikers that I will check out.
I know that a team approach is incredibly difficult and is generally advised against. For this reason, all team members are aware that if they want to hike their own hike or if it's simply not working out then they are free to go off and do their own thing.
It's not possible to do a shakedown hike with the team as we're in different countries but the UK members are hiking together / training together beforehand and the US member will too (when another US member joins!). We only have 3 thru hikers in the team at the moment and we all compliment each other in my opinion - a very experienced person who has done numerous expeditions before, a keen mountaineer who is new to trekking and myself who is an excellent navigator, trained first aider and is happy to plan. We're all laid back, have a good sense of humour and get on well but I appreciate it will be different when we're cold, tired and hungry after walking 20 miles but hey - I'm going to do it anyway and see how it goes.
If anyone does want to go against the grain and join up with us then drop me an email. :D
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Post by Lamebeaver on Oct 27, 2017 11:51:17 GMT -8
Of all your members, I'm most concerned about the mountaineer. The question isn't whether he is physically capable of completing the journey, but rather if he's up to the lack of challenge. It's one thing to scramble up a difficult route, it't quite another to get up every morning for a dull 20 mile slog without any excitement....day, after day, after day. Oh sure, there will be excitement and interesting occurrences, but there will also be many days that are a repeat of the previous day, and the one before that, and the one before that....
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markskor
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Mammoth Lakes & Tuolumne Meadows...living the dream
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Post by markskor on Oct 27, 2017 14:32:23 GMT -8
It's a mental game. Make sure everyone has their own individual permit.
BTW, out of those starting out at Campo, less than 25% go the distance. How big is your group?
Hike safe!
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 27, 2017 16:34:22 GMT -8
Helen, it seems you have a great attitude and your approach is thought out. Every team member should be self supporting (no communal gear).
I'll keep digging around for the diabetic TR I mentioned. Keep in touch.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 27, 2017 16:54:51 GMT -8
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Post by helikopta on Oct 28, 2017 5:29:24 GMT -8
Thanks JohnTP for hunting this down for me. I haven't managed to find any details of thru hikers who were diabetic up to now so this will be really useful.
Lamebeaver - I see what you're saying but all I can do is explain how difficult this is and ask the team members to read up on the challenge ahead. I have no way of knowing personally, and neither do the individual's themselves, whether they will cope with this mentally or if the repetitive slog will do them in! Ultimately, we are all individual walkers with our own permits and our own gear so if the team approach fails we can hook up with someone else or go solo.
My template has been a squad of 4 special forces soldiers, each with their own specialism, but perhaps I've been reading too much Chris Ryan!
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 28, 2017 10:00:17 GMT -8
By the way, BlueBear is Type 1, and has done some amazing solo treks. He has a webpage where he talks about the trips, and about backpacking with diabetes (he's not keeping the web page up-to-date these days [for example, he talks about injections, but I'm pretty sure he uses a pump now], being involved with other amazing things, but the info is there, and I'm sure he'd share more if you ask). There is also a thread here about diabetes, but that is more about Type 2 and managing it through diet and exercise. Anyway, I thought these things might help you think and plan, and maybe help smooth out some fears, yours and your family's. |
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 28, 2017 12:35:26 GMT -8
Thanks JohnTP for hunting this down for me. Helen, you are welcome. |
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Post by helikopta on Oct 29, 2017 14:03:56 GMT -8
Thanks rebeccad for the info. Will take a look and I'm sure it will be useful :D
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