[pct-l] Fearmongering

[Jeffrey Olson]

I hike with a woman whose family backpacked from the time she was a 
little girl.  She has lots of experience.  One year I discovered that 
she wasn't comfortable off the trail, and another year, that she really 
didn't like water crossings.  I discovered these "preferences" when we 
went off-trail in some rough terrain in the grizzly inhabited 
Five-Pockets area of the Absorkas in Wyoming, and during creek crossings 
in the Kern Canyon during some high water. 


The point here is that many, if not most of us, don't know how we will 
"react" to stressors given us by the environment until we encounter 
them.  This is where we discover a bit more about ourselves.  Stress of 
any kind is neither positive or negative.  Each of us chooses how to 
deal with what the world gives us. 


I didn't know I had a bit of vertigo/acrophobia until I was on a knife 
edge going cross country from the south to the west/inlet end of 
Thousand Island Lake in 1979.  While my head spun and stomach nearly 
spewed my breakfast, I clung to the 18" wide top with falls of 100's of 
feet on both sides with my whole body.  I avoid these opportunities now, 
and have for 30 years. 


Most situations people encounter on the PCT that could be considered 
high risk or dangerous are so due to a bad choice, lack of preparation 
or experience.  I remember hiking south down from the high point above 
the glacier in the goat rocks in cold wind and rain, and getting 
hypothermic because I was too stupid to stop and put on rain gear soon 
enough.  Bad choice - I definitely knew better, and was kicking myself 
as I strode down the cloud-shrouded switchbacks. 


I also remember hiking into Jackson Meadow Reservoir with my girlfriend 
in the pouring rain, the kind that just beats you down.  We got to the 
campground at the lake - why that was our goal I don't remember - and I 
stopped and put my pack down at the first campsite.  Janey looked at me 
and asked what I was doing.  I told her I was ready to set up camp.  She 
looked around at the site - in the trees, no ambiance - and said there 
had to be a better site.  I couldn't believe that she wanted to hike 
some more.  I ended up standing under the roof of a bathroom while she 
hiked around in the abysmal rain looking for "the perfect site."   Now, 
to me, that was a bad choice, but only in my world.  It made her happy - 
she cooked dinner and coddled me and loved me and I got over it.  In the 
big picture it was a good choice - I guess...  Maybe a little off topic 
here...


If in doubt, stop, sit and contemplate, and if you're with someone else, 
add "discuss."  An almost waist high creek crossing in fast water is a 
challenge to me while to my hiking friend, is an absolulte no-brainer - 
she simply won't do it - we'll find a better place to cross...


Jeff