Llama Hike...NEWBIE???

“To All Involved Llama Rama Members....

We have a Newbie, who is a visitor to the USA.
Norachai is a" 22 yo foreign student from Thailand living Los Angeles".

He got in touch with Obi Wan, and would like to go on the Crabtree trip.

For him to go, I told him he would have to have "sponsors" in the group who would be willing to help him with all his questions, and to also use their experience to assist him both on the trip, and in acquiring what gear he might need.

I told Norachai that I would put his request to be included in this trip up to a vote by everyone going.

You all are a friendly, and helpful bunch, especially concerning people new to this hiking thing.
I thought I would leave this up to you all.

I've told Norachai to go back to all the llama hike threads, and to cut and paste all the information out of them.
This might save all of us some time.

At the moment, I am totally overwhelmed by my work preparing for the summer trips, and answering questions from people on my web site.
I am also up to my considerable ass in yardwork, and llama training and hair cutting.

I would spend time with Norachai if I could, but I just don't have a spare moment at the keyboard.

What say You?

Norachai?

Here's your opening.

Present your case:”

“Does Norachai cook?”

“What school is Norachai attending? Also, how well does he speak Engish?

We may have to get him in shape using the local mountains!!”

“Tom..

If he cooks, the poor thing is in BIG trouble.

I know that Phil, Naviguesser and I, at the very least, LOVE Thai food.

Norachai...

We will teach you to camp, if you can share with us whatever you know about Thai cooking!

We are going to try to have one night of sushi on the trail.

Can we do Thai food, too?!”

“Thai peanut sauce is one of my favorite things!”

“Norachai, where in L.A. do you live? Gear can be worked out, but transportation is going to be a problem.
Let's hear from you boy!!!”

“Hey,

Thanks a bunch to everyone-- especially to Obi, Mel & Phil. I now feel belonged!

Since we will soon meet, please allow me to tell you a bit about myself so I won?t be a stranger. My name is Norachai and I am a foreign student from Thailand. I currently live in Van Nuys (San Fernando Valley). I?ll be graduated from CSU Northridge with a BS in ACCT and MIS this month!

I am basically looking for the ultimate vacation (with a given budget) before I start working full time this September. I?ve been browsing through web sites for hostels, cross country drive, roadtrips, camping, hiking?you get a picture. The purpose of this summer trip is to meeting new people and meeting myself in a different light. I hope to learn the shades of gray in life and learn how to be an even better, open-minded person than what I am now. I hope to be matured and ready to be a productive member in this society while maintaining a right balance between being individualistic and being conformed. One?s life should not evolve around work and home only. There ought to be more than that. There is plethora of opportunities and the unknowns out there and that?s why I am here to explore...

I know it sounds a bit flowery and poetic, but that?s exactly how I feel.

My life, at times, is heavily depended on cup-o-noodles. Hence, I am not sure how good of a cook I am. Since I used to work in the restaurant, I hope that experience and knowledge can be applied somehow. At least, I promise that I?ll know how to make Thai peanut sauce by the time of this trip! (Just for you, Phil!)

I need help with purchasing/selecting equipments. I hope that someone near where I live can do some shopping with me and/or give me a checklist! (Thai food will be your bribe, huh huh.) However, I?ll try not to think about this until my finals are over (ie, next week) because I want to make sure I am graduated as cum laude. Apparently, senioritis hits me hard though.

I also hope that carpool, somehow, will work out!

Lastly, I just wanted to express how fortunate I am that I decided to email Obi out of the blue. Frankly, I don?t have much experience in hiking. I believe that you jump if you want to learn how to swim. You will either learn how to swim or you?ll drown. That?s all. What do I have to lose since I?ll do whatever it takes to not drowned, right?

I look forward to meeting all of you and learning a lot from each of you. Sorry for such a long winded message. Yet, I believe that above message will give you some idea about who I am and my basic philosophy. Feel free to email/post any questions, suggestions or comments.

Norachai”

“Norachai, you're welcome. We'll all do what we can to help, but since it appears Phil's your assigned mentor, I'll leave it to him to provide you with answers, tips, and so forth (if we leave it to him, then you won't get 20 different recommendations, answers, etc. to the same question).”

“Phil the Drill Sergeant!

It sure is easy to become the "assigned mentor" around here! I am happy to help.

Norch seems to have the right attitude. Now we have to get him the right equipment and conditioning.

I already received an email from Norch. We will be talking.

Gotta run for now.”

“Now, remember Phil..
You do not have to be the only teacher. You are strapped for time with your own schedule.

Any of the rest if you who can give Norch a hand, please do so.
He's going to get to know all of us, and he'll need all the help he can get.

Norch..
I'll add you to our e-mail llama hike list, and you can keep up with the latest.

In the meantime....

Go back on this page...
Wayyyyyyyy back.

There are MANY threads covering sleeping bags, packs, stoves, food, sleeping pads..

You get the picture..

You read up on some of this, and then start asking questions about what you see.

We look forward to meeting you, and helping you have a successful backcountry experience.

I will put you down for the 10 day hike.

I'll add a little more on later when I e-mail you.”

“I've got a spare headlamp he can use and a sleeping bag, however it is only rated to 30 degrees. Might not be warm enough. I will consider sharing my stove. And I am in the market to buy a thicker thermarest. If I do he can use my ultralight one.

I am sure there is some other extra gear around my place. I have 3 tents as well. We will have to work out the details.”

“Norch you iz a deep feller, great luck on your outdoor adventures. That 'tude will land you a wonderful new pasttime methinks. I'll look around thru all this gear and see whut I can part with. For starters I got me brand new jock strap, so this old one'll be en route shortly .... if the USPS allows it to mail. I'll wash it best I can don'tchaknow.”

“TO: all hiking enthusiasts
FROM: the commander norchdog (hahah)

May I ask all of you for a big favor? I will compile a list of things I need for the trip. I?d like to borrow some of your extra gears. You guys are way too cool for me not to come back. So I?ll plan to purchase some of the main gears for my future hikes too.

I am interested in used gears since it should be much cheaper and since I might need virtually everything you can imagine. Anyone have an extra something in OK condition for this poor college student and want to get rid of? Now is a chance. Now, it?s time to begin the virtual cyberspace garage sales!!!

If interested, please email me or post it in this thread. PVT is ok too. All help/suggestions will be highly appreciated.

Since I don?t know much about gears, I?ll have to consult with my expert Phil (who is also very busy at the moment). I?ll also have to study for my finals. So, there will be a delay before I make the final decision. Please understand.

Thanks to Obi, Freedom and naked apes. You guys are thoughtful. I?ll keep your offer in mind.”

“norch, I think you will be well taken care of.

What finals do you have coming up?”

“norch:
When is your trip? I'm not familiar with the llama hike. I have some extra equipment that has served me well for years, it's not top of the line. Would I have time to send it to you before your trip? It will be Sat. before I can get to the basement and get to it. Send me your address and I'll try to help.”

“Phil-
What finals do I have? -only from accounting classes. ..hold on, what does that word ?finals? mean again? It will soon be deleted from my memory. :)

Cheers!”

“Welcome, norch.

Yes, the reason they are called "finals" is because it's the final time in your life you will ever think about this stuff!

I may have some backup equipment I could loan; perhaps Phil could let me know what is needed when the determination is made. In the meantime, I have no problem with a newbie joining us, particularly since (a) it is not my place to determine who can or cannot go on this trip; and (b) to the extent that this discussion and decision have absolutely nothing to do with me, I'd like to keep it that way.

Keeping (b) in mind, though, I would ask who's job it will be to take the nice newbie back to the trailhead after she contracts altitude sickness, collapses from exhaustion, or decides she absolutely hates sleeping in the woods? Multi-day trips like this may not be the best intro to bping for a newbie.”