The kickoff?

[Magnet_]

There have been concerns raised about the kickoff and the herd. What are you're thoughts?

[Magnet_]

I'd still attend the kickoff but not start from it to lessen the impact the herd has on the small towns / resupply points. I'd start a week or two before, take it a bit slower to avoid injury, and get a ride down to the kickoff from wherever i'm at...

[chai guy]

I'd avoid the kickoff too for all the reasons Magnet pointed out but there's even a better reason IMHO.

I personally believe that the kickoff starts way too late. I think a better start time would be the first of April. By starting this early you reap several benefits.


1. More water in the desert, less heat!(generally speaking)
Hiking through the Mojave desert last year, I never saw a day or weekend hiker. Know why? Because the locals know better than to be out in Mojave in June, that's why!

Go early and the desert will be cooler, the streams and springs more plentiful, and the water caches less tapped out.

2. More time to finish your hike!
By starting earlier you'll have more time to take side trips, recover from injuries/illness, and be less concerned with constantly having to make miles. In short you'll enjoy your hike more. Those extra 4 weeks could be what gets you to Canada (sure would have helped me last year).

3. More Snow in the Sierra.
Huh? Yes, I believe that snow is our friend. Nice hard packed easy to walk across snow. Not late season, post holing, sun cupped, wet up to your knees stuff that causes you to trudge through it at 1-2 mph.
Kahtoola just came out with these amazing new snowshoes that lets you click in and out of them with special boot that's fitted with their own crampons. These are a PCT hikers dream! Check them out here:
http://www.kahtoola.com/flight-deck.html
http://www.kahtoola.com/flight-boot.html


My thoughts, YMMV

[girlscout]

i agree that the herd is having an increasing impact over the first 200-300 miles or so, but i suppose personally i wouldn't let this stop me from starting at the kickoff because i live in san diego, and if i really felt that i shouldn't be adding to the herd, i have local support options i could fall back on instead of relying on trail town services.

i really enjoy the social aspect of the trail, so i like to meet as many folks right out of the gate as possible.

[Unregistered]

[QUOTE=chai guy;60]
I personally believe that the kickoff starts way too late. I think a better start time would be the first of April.
==============================

Where would that put you on the trail and how hard would it be to get a ride back to the kickoff ?

'Slogger

[Teatree]

I am a HUGE fan of the kickoff. It allows those of us who aren't completely comfortable with hiking alone on the PCT to start with others yet not choose a partner ahead of time . I understand the problems with the herd but I also enjoy the commeraderie.

[footslogger]

I am a HUGE fan of the kickoff. It allows those of us who aren't completely comfortable with hiking alone on the PCT to start with others yet not choose a partner ahead of time . I understand the problems with the herd but I also enjoy the commeraderie.

==========================

YO Teatree ...Footslogger here. Good to see ya !!

Have the PCT on the planning table so sure glad this site came up.

'Slogger

[Ender]

I'd do what I did last time... start a week before, then hitch back to the kickoff for the party. It's a great time. Then, hitch back north and continue hiking. Makes for a nice relaxed pace at the start.

[footslogger]

I'd do what I did last time... start a week before, then hitch back to the kickoff for the party. It's a great time. Then, hitch back north and continue hiking. Makes for a nice relaxed pace at the start.

=========================

So ...where would that put you approximately and how difficult would it be to get a ride back to LM ?

[Ender]

It put me a few days ahead of LM, though I don't remember exactly how far... maybe 50-60 miles. I had it easy because I got a ride from my cousin who lives in the area, but the trail parallels the road that leads back to LM, and there's fairly constant traffic on it, so it would be easy to get a hitch. I know of a number of people who did just that.

[Unregistered]

It put me a few days ahead of LM, though I don't remember exactly how far... maybe 50-60 miles. I had it easy because I got a ride from my cousin who lives in the area, but the trail parallels the road that leads back to LM, and there's fairly constant traffic on it, so it would be easy to get a hitch. I know of a number of people who did just that.

================================

Thanks ...that makes me feel a little better about getting started before kickoff. Just seems to me that if you start the day after kickoff things would be a tad too crowded for my taste.

[girlscout]

don't forget, also, that these days there's quite a few folks who follow this strategy, and the kickoff organizers have an informal shuttle network to get them from warner springs or wherever back down to the kickoff. you probably won't even have to hitch at all, either to or from.

heck, i'm happy to give rides myself, so feel free to take down my number if you want something concrete: 619-840-4288

[footslogger]

don't forget, also, that these days there's quite a few folks who follow this strategy, and the kickoff organizers have an informal shuttle network to get them from warner springs or wherever back down to the kickoff. you probably won't even have to hitch at all, either to or from.

heck, i'm happy to give rides myself, so feel free to take down my number if you want something concrete: 619-840-4288

=========================

Glad to hear that ...and a very generous offer.

Thanks !!

[geek]

=========================

Glad to hear that ...and a very generous offer.

Thanks !!

we are starting on 4/12 and then coming back to the kick off---do we need to sign up or anything for the kick off?
geek

[girlscout]

yes, it's best to register for the kickoff, though they always make room for whoever shows up, especially if they're thru hikers. but the registration process helps them determine how to divide the campground, how much food to bring, etc etc.

the registration hasn't started yet for this year. keep your eyes on this page:

http://siechert.org/adz/



gs

[geek]

I'd do what I did last time... start a week before, then hitch back to the kickoff for the party. It's a great time. Then, hitch back north and continue hiking. Makes for a nice relaxed pace at the start.

We plan on starting 4/12 and then coming back for the kickoff. Good to hear that it shouldn't be difficult. Do we need to sign-up or register for the kickoff?:confused:

geek

[geek]

We plan on starting 4/12 and then coming back for the kickoff. Good to hear that it shouldn't be difficult. Do we need to sign-up or register for the kickoff?:confused:

geek

OOOPS!!!
sorry for the double post.....starting at Springer on saturday and my mind is just not staying put today!
geek

[geek]

yes, it's best to register for the kickoff, though they always make room for whoever shows up, especially if they're thru hikers. but the registration process helps them determine how to divide the campground, how much food to bring, etc etc.

the registration hasn't started yet for this year. keep your eyes on this page:

http://siechert.org/adz/



gs

thanks gs,
yes i did get your message but i was pretty burned-out this morning, hence the double post.:o
geek

[Ender]

we are starting on 4/12 and then coming back to the kick off---do we need to sign up or anything for the kick off?
geek

If you're a thruhiker, you can pretty much just stroll in and camp in the thruhiker area.

[girlscout]

just fyi, the kickoff registration is now open:

http://siechert.org/adz/registration.htm

[arewethere]

i also agree that the kickoff should be moved to mt. laguna, or maybe idlwild. on the AT after a few miles they have people to go through your pack to help you with lightning up, after only 20 miles you are not yet convinced that lighter is better. might help more people finish.

[Old S'Cool]

Yeah, I had this conversation with Girl Scout at the Kick-off this year. I heard the Saufley's didn't attend KO in protest to the strain it puts on them when the herd arrives. In reality, Northbounders have a limited window if they plan to be thru-hikers which kind of neccessitates a herd mentality. Plus it's nice to have company sometimes (apologies to Jeff and Donna for rocking the trailer til the break of dawn). I guess my question is why have a kick-off? I mean statistically speaking, less than 1/4 of the people at KO will be thru-hikers. Why not have a finish-off in, say, Cascade Locks? Now that would be a party! Me: I vote to have a party at the Brick in Cicely, WA (the bar where they filmed the TV show 'Northern Exposure'). I actually did the 'start early and catch a ride to the KO' strategy and that worked really well.

[Mags]

I vote to have a party at the Brick in Cicely, WA (the bar where they filmed the TV show 'Northern Exposure'). I actually did the 'start early and catch a ride to the KO' strategy and that worked really well.

That would be Rosyln, WA I believe.

I'm a big fan of Northern Exposure, and I regret not taking the side trip when I had the chance.. :(

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roslyn,_Washington#Points_of_interest_in_Roslyn
http://www.curtcass.com/roslyn/