My RR Season in the GSMNP, although cut short, was very helpful to condition me for my PCT hike. With the difficulty of the terrain, I averaged approximately 60 miles/week.
I met and talked to 500 plus thru-hikers aspiring to reach their goal - Katahdin in Maine. March and April have been cold and rainy and we had a few problems. One young man (ill prepared for foul weather) fell in a creek without waterproofing his pack and soaked his gear as well as himself. When he got to me at Mollies Ridge, he was in a hypothermic condition. After 4 hours in my sleeping bag and drying his gear, including his sleeping bag, he finally quit throwing up and started to make sense. He was able to walk out the next morning. I'd say he felt pretty good in spite of having to listen to me lecture on Leave No Trace principals, especially #1 - Plan & Prepare.
I returned home on April 21st to resupply for the PCT. We will fly to San Diego on Friday and drive to Camp Lake Morena for the All Day Zero PCT Kickoff http://www.adzpctko.com/ . I begin logging those PCT miles Saturday, April 26, 2008. Will keep you posted!
Keep hiking,
Greybeard
