[pct-l] reasons for long-distance hiking

[David Hough on pct-l]

JoAnn says:

> I deal with depression and also have a difficulty
being "alone" on the trail. 

It's been my theory for a while that many
long-distance
hikers are self-medicating for depression.    Maybe 
when I retire I will write up all the comments I've
received about that - but maybe I will be too busy
hiking.

The being-alone factor used to bother me when young.
Now i enjoy hiking alone when I can and with 
companion(s) when I can.    And I always feel good
after
I get going and sad when I have to quit.    Unless
it's
raining really hard.

Being alone allows flexibility in pace and campsite
selection and passing water and gas, all factors for
the aging male hiker.   Aloneness may be more of 
a psychological barrier for the average woman than the
average man, though I've encountered (usually been
passed by) plenty of non-average women traveling alone
on the PCT and on the Camino.     Not having anybody
to talk to can be a positive or negative, and there
tends to be a gender correlation on how that's viewed,
but traveling alone my senses are sharper and I notice
more... or so I think... until I travel with somebody
who points out things I would have missed.
Alternating times with and without company is
probably best, when that can be arranged.