[pct-l] Time

[Timothy Nye]

As well, having completed a thru hike is, in my opinion, a resume
enhancement.  I ran a business that ranged from several to up to eighteen
employees.  Seeing a thru hike on a resume tells me that an individual is
goal oriented, self reliant, persistent, and, well, I could go on.  I had
this discussion about the value of a hike on a resume with many hikers over
the last couple of years.  The majority were surprised at this take, but
then I also always told them that if this wasn't the case and it was viewed
negatively, then the employer making that determination was probably one
that they wouldn't be happy working for in any event.

Life is short.  I was told by my doctor over seven years ago that I should
go home and put my affairs in order.  That night I stared at the ceiling for
hours.  The big regret that came from seemingly nowhere was not having thru
hiked the PCT.  I had section hiked some, but hiking took a backseat to my
career and even vacations or weekends off became scarce.

I was lucky.  The whole time I went through treatment I told myself that if
I survived I would hike the trail.  My goal after that was formulate and
execute an exit strategy that would allow me the flexibility to retire and
be able to recognize and pursue those things that make life worth living.
For me this wasn't work.  The people that bought my business, there are
three of them, are all my same age.  Afterwards, I asked them how much money
was enough for them to stop working.  They began bragging about the new
fancy cars they had bought over the last month and how large their homes
are.

We all get a wake up call.  The question is how much time you have left
after you answer it.

To me hiking is real life and the education that it provides as to the true
value in life and what makes us human is incomparable.  Muir was and is
right.  Going out is really coming in.  Spend your youth wisely.