[pct-l] Heroism & Bravery?

[Stephen]

That's the point Scott.  Live and learn.
But first of all, posting your experience makes you a hero to at least Ned 
and myself I think but of course I can only speak for myself,  because you 
write here for many to see how looking back what went wrong.  You expressed 
personal bravery in trying to gut it out until you realized things were not 
going to work out the way you expected or hoped and backed out and cruised 
on home before creating an unsafe decission and getting out too far to get 
back on your own.
This is one of the reasons I have liked Ray Jardine's book on the PCT as he 
addresses these physical and mental issues and personal safety.  He also 
says much regarding expectations and how they are folly.  And while I am not 
a thru-hiker, I do hike a lot, and mostly alone, so much of what he writes 
about I have applied even if I am not an UL long distance hiker.  I've still 
done more than my share of long tiring days in the backcountry back to back 
and spent weeks and months depending on my skills, physical abilities, and 
mental instability (sense of humor) to keep things in perspective. 
Sometimes, like Diane suggested so eloquently, you just know it's time to go 
home, and when you are sitting on a 12,000 ft pass writing in your journal 
with tears welling up there is a certain amount of bravery that follows as 
you put things back in the pack for who knows, maybe the last time, and are 
able to smile as you walk down the long hill to the last trailhead and home.
I've had occasion to climb many of the high Sierra peaks.  I've also had the 
oppertunity to get way out there only to become really uncomfortable being 
hung out not knowing why it just doesn't feel right and walked away.  It 
took three trips over Sphinx Col to eventually cross the basin and climb Mt 
Brewer.  three times I intended to Climb Mt Hilgard and did so the third 
pass.   I've been on my way to climb Mt Sill twice and turned back both 
times feeling stranded out in the talus fields below North Pallisade just 
wiped out. Me and the rocks don't always get along so good. Seems the maps 
are flat and the mountains are not. Nothing wrong with a little healthy 
humility.  I wish I could figure out what all those squigly lines on the 
maps are supposed to represent?
Anyway, you catch my drift.  Brave folks go out and try, take risks and live 
with failure and success.  Heros use this experience to enrich the lives of 
others.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Bryce" <sbryce at scottbryce.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:12 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Heroism & Bravery?


> ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com wrote:
>> Although Scott's account is so typical of the early thru hiker
>> experience, this type of pain and struggle deserves some applause to
>>  work through.
>
> Thank you, but I think you are being too kind, and I don't understand
> why you titled your post "Heroism & Bravery." I don't feel that what I
> did was either. I attempted the trail without adequate preparation, and
> made some bad mistakes during the hike. I don't feel that that makes me
> a hero or brave.
>
> I hope to try again. When I do, I will take the lessons learned with me
> on the trail.
>
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