[pct-l] Blossoming on the list

[Rick Donahue]

 I'm kind of a longtime lurker. I'm also glad the negativity seems to be
gone but
I really hope Tattoo Joe's postings haven't disappeared as well. I'd love to
learn
about their most recent trip. Sometimes such extreme approaches make you
question and change your own approaches. For example, I'd love to hear more
about their diet(s) and the magic beans. I'd like to hear about how their
footwear
performed without tongues, etc. I read Joe's posting (or posted link?) about
his
trip last year. It really started me thinking about hiking style - about
what you
want, what you need, and what you think you need.

--Rick

>Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:29:21 -0600
>From: Jeffrey Olson <jolson at olc.edu>
>Subject: [pct-l] Blossoming of the list!
>To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>Message-ID: <48B742E1.6020403 at olc.edu>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>I'm so happy that the negativity of the last weeks has pretty much
>disappeared.  For all the people that have joined over the summer who
>haven't written, but are soaking up what you read, I hope you feel
>welcome.
>
>
>The foundation of this list is not those of us who have been here for
>years, but you new subscribers and your enthusiasm.  This is the best
>resource in the world for thinking about and planning a long-distance
>hike, thru-hike or section-hike.  I really miss new people asking
>questions.
>
>
>Sure you can search the archives and probably find an answer to your
>question.  But it's the anticipatory excitement of someone who just
>discovered long distance hiking, exploring gear, conditions, mental
>attitudes, why people quit the trail, why they succeed that renews my
>own perspective.  Ask your questions and don't be deferred to searching
>the archives.
>
>
>Most of us who have been here for a long time really enjoy offering our
>experience and learning and (maybe) wisdom.  And I learn from your
>questions, and read what you have to write.
>
>
>For all of you who have joined and lurk, soaking up the knowledge and
>perspectives expressed here, I hope you feel comfortable enough to ask
>your questions, even if you have a feeling they've been asked before.
>As we move into fall and winter, the discussions will move to the class
>of 2009 planning their trip, networking through the listserv and meeting
>each other online.
>
>
>Please, please, please, do not be put off by edginess of a few posters -
>express your enthusiasm.  It really does renew me, and my guess is, many
>of the couple thousand people that belong to the listserv...  I'm
>planning a thruhike of either the PCT or CDT in 2010 at the age of 58.
>I think I'm a little different in that I will be looking for a woman who
>wants to hike with me, and have a relationship that is committed -
>committed for that eight months of planning/hiking...  I look forward to
>that whole process...
>
>
>Every winter I get stoked as those who are actually going to start their
>hikes in April and May plan and think, and wonder, and worry, and get
>kind of quirky!  So those of you who have questions and wonder and
>imagine please offer yourself here.  Your questions and worries and
>comments kindle my own enthusiasm.
>
>
>Jeffrey Olson "Jeff, just Jeff" (said to the cadence of "Bond, James Bond)
>Martin, SD