This page is constantly under construction...
- WHERE DO WE MEET UP FOR HIKES? When we announce hikes on our Meetup Group Page we will generally provide plenty of information, and often a photo or two, of where we are going to be meeting up and how. Ideally we will meet up where the hike ends, and then take a shuttle car to the start (leaving the other cars as the end... and a cooler with cold beers in it!)
- HOW FAST WILL WE BE HIKING? Generally, you can estimate that our pace will be 2.0 miles per hour. "Regular" hiking pace ranges between 2.3-3.0 mph, but the person carrying Atticus on their backs will likely be the limiting factor on speed. We will all go only as fast/slow as the slowest person in the group (who, again, will likely be the one carrying Atticus.) The 2.0 mph speed includes stopping to drink water, get out a bar to eat, trading packs around, etc. We need to add time on for lunch and longer breaks, such as for taking pictures and lunch.
- WILL THE GROUP STICK TOGETHER WHILE HIKING OR SPLIT UP? We will always stick together, unless for some very strange reason we are required to split up. For example, if we discover a gold and somebody has to stay behind to stake and protect the claim while the rest of the group goes to register the claim.
- HOW MUCH DOES THE PACK WITH ATTICUS WEIGH AND HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO CARRY HIM FOR? The pack we have for Atticus is thankfully adjustable for different length torsos. Rich is 6'1" and Allie is 5'6" and we know it fits that range, but not perfectly. The pack, with Atticus in it and his clothes, is around 50lbs in weight. We generally trade carrying him every hour, but there is no set time frame that anyone has to carry him. If after 10-minutes you are done, we can switch again. If you are feeling good and want to do an extra hour, nobody will complain! If you don't want to carry him at all, that's OK too... you just have to buy everyone a round of margaritas.
- WHAT ABOUT RATTLESNAKES? Rich loves those cuddly creatures and will always volunteer to encourage them to get off the trail. That being said, it's everyone's job go look out for them. Atticus is the best spotter, Rich is the worst (he's walked right over them before.)
- HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I BRING WITH ME? More than you need is the best answer. It also very much depends on how hot it gets on a day (you might require three times as much water on a 95-degree day than a 70-degree day.) A rule of thumb we use is a minimum of 1-liter per person for every 4-5 hours of hiking. That's not much, but we have to place in the supply pack enough for 2-people plus Atticus, and more than that get's pretty heavy with everything else we have to carry as well (the person carrying the supply pack is supposed to be taking a break from carrying Atticus!) For yourself, it would be good to at least bring 2-liters of water. We always bring along a water filtration pump, but water may not always be available along the route. It's best to only pump in emergency, rather than rely on the pump. Always prepare for hot weather, and having to be on the trail longer than calculated when you are making determinations for water requirements. We STRONGLY ADVISE bringing along Gatorade (or equivalent) to replenish electrolytes. Also, it would be good for you to have some buffered salt tablets in you your pack (click HERE for example.)
- ARE THERE PLACES TO PUMP/FILTER WATER ON THE TRAIL? Yes, depending upon the time of year. Click HERE for a report put out for water sources on the trail.
- WHAT SHOULD I HAVE IN MY PACK FOR THE DAY? Refer to the list HERE for the essentials, and be sure to also have extra layers of clothing in case it cools down in the late afternoon or evenings. Don't forget trail snacks! Rich is always available for advise on what to have in your pack. You might also be asked to carry extra gear, such as the group's first aid kit.
- WHY DO YOU HAVE SUCH A SMALL GROUP SIZE FOR THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT COME ON THE HIKES? Because it is easier to work out the shuttling logistics, and because the fewer people there are the less likely we will have somebody have trouble on the trail.
- WHAT IF I START HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY BODY ON THE TRAIL? We're not talking about whether you feel like you look fat in that outfit. Absolutely communicate it to us when you start feeling like you have pain, well before it becomes an issue! Everyone's health and well being is the priority, success at completing the hike comes well after that. If you are having trouble with a knee, please let us know at mile-1 rather than at mile-5 in a 10-mile hike. Of course, you may not start feeling that knee until mile-5, but in that case we'll develop a plan to mitigate the possibility that the knee will fail before you complete the hike. We can hike slower, or take weight out of your pack, that sort of thing.
- WHAT'S A GOOD MAP TO GET AND BOOKS TO BUY FOR THE HIKES? Click HERE for the map we use. Click HERE for online TOPO Maps. Click HERE for an out of print day hiking book you can buy off of Amazon (It's an OK book but not great for our purposes. We read it in case there is info there we haven't already figured out for ourselves.) Click HERE for the PCT Southern California hiking bible with more detail than we would ever want, including lots of interesting history and facts and tips. UPDATE: Just found this really cool website... click here: www.PCTmap.net
- IS THERE AN APP FOR THAT? Oh yes, click HERE.
- DO I NEED TREKKING/HIKING POLES? We used to think they were stupid, the kind of thing that old, useless people use. But now we won't go out without them. When you are carrying a 50lb pack, and going uphill or downhill, they are indispensable. Well, if you are 25, maybe not, but us codgers sure like them. You can pay full price, but if you go to SteepAndCheep.com they always have them on sale. Oh, another useful thing about hiking poles is that they are useful for chucking rattlesnakes off the trail.
- HOW CAN I BEST PACK MY PACK SO THAT IT'S THE MOST COMFORTABLE? Go HERE for a great website by Deuter.
- IS THERE ANY ADVISE OUT THERE ABOUT HOW TO ADJUST MY PACK FOR A PERFECT FIT? Yes, you can start by clicking HERE to see a great video by REI with text also for tips.
- WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE GREAT HIKING GAITERS? Go to Dirty Girl Gaiters and take your pick.
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