Recharge - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

I am wondering what the generally accepted method is concerning power supplies. namely recharging batteries (I know a hot spring and an icy cold PBR do wonders but thats another thread). Is it usually possible to find a place to plug in at town stops? Do people carry alot of extra batteries? Has anyone had success with solar? Any discussion would be great. I’m debating taking the 35mm camera over the digital simply because it would be less of a hassle in this sense.
thanks
Kevin L.
PCT 04

kevinL

#2

I took a real camera, in fact a very heavy one, and made it all the way. Now, I look at the incredible pics and smile. You can check mine out on the www.thawookie.com. Film is easy. No worries, you get prints, and no computer to deal with!:smiley:

Tha Wookie

#3

I also used a 35 MM camera and when I developed the film had a CD made of the pics so I could e-mail them to friends and pick the ones I wanted prints from.

Big B

#4

I know it’s not the PCT, but my husband and I carried a digital on our '02 AT hike. It was no hassle at all, and we plan to take it on our PCT hike. We didn’t bother with rechargeable batteries (they’re heavier and a pain in the neck).

We used a bump box and stocked it with lithium batteries (they’re much lighter & work great in digital cams). One set of batteries would last us about 4 weeks, and we took over 1200 photos on our trip. If it had been a few weeks since we replaced batteries, I carried an extra set with me. Otherwise, you could just replace them on a regular basis.

We had a “home base” person helping us. We’d mail her full memory cards, and she’d download them and mail the memory back. This system requires at least 2 memory cards.

Overall, we had no problems, and I really appreciate how cheap a digital camera is after the initial purchase. Take all the photos you want at no additional cost. Cool.

Chipper

#5

Chipper, what digital camera did you use if you don’t mind my asking?

Jukebox

#6

I switched from film to digital in southern virginia. I had a total of 3 rechargable batts, 3 memory cards, each could hold some 200 pics. I used my camera way more than others used their film, had NO problems along the rest of my thru hike finding places to recharge. A lot of people using film did have rough times finding film, most places if they could, they had to pay out the nose. Remember, your paying for convience since you don’t have a car to go to walmart. If your taking a bunch of pics, film adds up quick and forget about bounce boxes. Their a total pain in the ass. Most people abonded them half way though the hike until Maine where things get fewer except post offices or other places that accept packages. I sent my memory card home, the person on the other end put my pics on cd and sent the card right back to me. Do the math and the $$$$$ you’ll save alone is enough of a reason, convience, instant gradification of KNOWING, not guessing that your pic turned out great and convience are to just name a few. No matter what you take, keep it dry and clean.

Karma

Karma

#7

Karma, it is me Sidetrack. I am planning on hiking the PCT this year and wanted to know what camera did you use and do you reccommend that one, or did you see a newer model that you would look into. Thanks

Sidetrack

#8

I used a Kodak DX3500, weight 8.7 oz., 2.2 megapixels. They have newer models that are lighter and higher resolution, but this one took a world of abuse on our hike without complaint.

Have fun!

Chipper