Message: 4
To: pct-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 20:01:44 -0800
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [pct-l] Points to Ponder
 

+ It's very unlikely that you'll finish the trail.

+ It's unlikely that you'll make it to Kennedy Meadows.

+ Weekend hikers, section hikers seem to be enjoying themselves much more t=
han thru-hikers.

+ Weekend hikers, section hikers are much more amiable and relaxed on the t=
rail. (gotta make those miles!)

+ Thru-hiking is NOT a healthy exercise program.

+ If you're looking for a 'wilderness experience', walking 25-30 miles a da=
y is NOT it.

+ Your body processing 4500+ calories a day for several months is NOT healt=
hy.

+ The town stop food binges would be considered an eating disorder under an=
y other circumstance.

+ Thru-hikers appear to be their happiest when at a town stop.

+ Thru-hikers have a sense of urgency on the trail

+ By the time you reach Vermilion Valley Resort, your body will have reduce=
d itself to the appearance of a Holocaust survivor.

+ By the time you reach the Oregon border, your body will have reduced itse=
lf to the appearance of Brian Robinson. ;)

+ The most important thing in your life is finding the next water source.

+ You will ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" on more than one occasion.

+ You will 'appease' the previous question with a continously evolving answ=
er (oneness with nature, exercise, etc) until much soul searching and self =
introspection leads you to a far more interesting real (painful?) answer.

+ You may not find this answer.

+ The most important item, if you feel the human race is sliding into a qua=
gmire of self interest and self gain, driven entirely by its own greed and =
well being, most of the people you meet along the trail will completely cha=
nge your mind.
 

current mood:  cheerful
current music: Audioslave _Audioslave_  

taliana 
2003-01-20 23:09 
interesting...

take care...

  
oddharmonic 
2003-01-21 15:06 
It's very unlikely that you'll finish the trail.

That's Robert's argument whenever I bring up how I'd like to thru-hike the CDT. Or the AT, for that matter, and I've heard it's much easier to do with the higher frequency of towns along the trail.

If you're looking for a 'wilderness experience', walking 25-30 miles a day is NOT it.

Would someone actually consider thru-hiking a 'wilderness experience'? Are these the same people that enthuse about heli-skiing or going on a cruise so they can set foot on glacial ice in Alaska? If so, I've got this great national forest for them to see...

The most important thing in your life is finding the next water source.

I thought it already was.

You will ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" on more than one occasion.

How did I get here? And my god, what have I done? Man, I love the Talking Heads.

Interesting list, disagree with most of it, but hey. I kegel in delight when I hear "15-mile days" in reference to trails. Man, I should see if I can border-to-border NC on the AT while we're here... it's apparently right around 88 miles and that sounds like a reasonable 2-3 weeks with Laurel in tow. Too bad Robert has crap chances for getting leave anytime before his terminal leave. 
 
 

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