[pct-l] Help!

Sun Feb 12 11:01:03 CST 2012

Good morning, Tim,

Most hikers interested in finding a partner for the PCT prefer not to hear
the, “Don’t-worry-it-will-all-work-out” answer, but really, don’t worry it
will all work out.  From the border during the start of the typical
thru-hiking season there will be considerable company along the trail; you
won’t be lonesome.  More hikers will be encountered at the Kick-Off.  You
will meet many hikers overtaking you, and you will overtake and meet many
others.  It’s really great to meet such an interesting variety of people.

Eventually --due to pace, interest, and personality -- people tend to hike
together if they want and if it's convenient.  Sometimes other hikers drift
in and out of association; to be seen once a day, once a week, at resupply
stops, or perhaps never again.  I find it’s better to occasionally
encounter these familiar faces for a few minutes or hours, than it is to
hike with them full-time.

Pre-selecting a hiking partner has a very low probability of success, and
participants assume unnecessary social stress in either having to adapt to
uncomfortable circumstances or separate.

It is difficult to preselect a partner based upon some kind of profiling.  On
the trail the strangest combinations of hikers often successfully
associate: diverse by age, gender, experience, and by just about any other
metric.  Of any stripe, hikers tend to gravitate or separate based upon
something undefined and undefinable.

Good luck -- and yes indeed, it will all work out.

Steel-Eye

-Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09/

On Sat, Feb 11, 2012 at 8:30 AM, Tim <tim1ness at gmail.com> wrote:

> This is such a great forum.  I would appreciate feedback on the
> feasibility of doing a 2012 thru hike after just deciding about two days
> ago.  I used to backpack, rock climb, kayak, etc and guide trips for an
> Outdoor Education program about 20 years ago.  Then I became a dad and
> between fatherhood and my profession as a PhD in the mental health field,
> the outdoor relationship slowly waned. I hiked with my daughter atop my
> pack and x-country skied with her in a pack on my back, but we chose
> conventional school, and to my dismay, she did not evolve into a granola
> girl; though she is quite a Sage to me.  Anyway, I have been retired and
> have the time to renew my relationship with Nature (assuming She will have
> me back).  I have a great nephew with muscular dystrophy and feel extra
> inspired to do a 2012 thru hike to raise consciousness and support for md.
>  I have no hiking partner, and I feel it would be a little safer,
> supportive, lighter, etc. to have someone to hike with.  Is t
>  his true?  I am comfortable being on my own, but a lot can happen in 2600
> miles.  I am in decent shape, but it is cycling shape, not hiking shape.
>  Any recommendations on hiking alone vs with a partner or small group? And
> how does one go about creating a mutually beneficial hiking experience for
> both parties?  Other than logistics (pace, start/completion time, etc.),
> what else is important? Factors like gender, age, race, (even species) make
> little difference to me.  I know the experience will be challenging, and
> although very little rattles my cage, whomever shares this kind of venture
> together will likely confront some deeper aspects of themselves and their
> hiking partner.  I am really excited and determined about the thru hike.
>  Is this realistic to accomplish?  ...... Any feedback is greatly
> appreciated.  Thanks,  Tim (considering the trail name OneStep)
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Feb 11, 2012, at 2:03 PM, "rickandurs at juno.com" <rickandurs at juno.com>
> wrote:
>
> > I loved your post as it reflects exactly how I feel and exactly how we
> did our thru hike.  It seems so many now a days are focused on "how light
> can I go and how fast can I go".  I sometimes wonder if time is taken to
> really enjoy and savor this once in a lifetime experience.  We did our PCT
> hike years ago, before the internet, cell phones, GPS, etc.  We only had
> the Wilderness Guide books, real paper maps and a few other resources to
> rely on (mainly reading the registers along the way to see what was ahead
> of us.  We survived and we suceeded and we are very proud of that.  Thanks
> for your thoughts!<->
> >
> > ---------- Original Message ----------
> > From: Timothy Boyle <stumblingwolf at gmail.com>
> > To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> > Subject: [pct-l] HYOH
> > Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:35:49 -0500
> >
> > Thank you to everyone reading this.  I think pct-l is a great forum that
> > provides access to information from all angles and expereinces.  Those
> new
> > to the thru may be slightly intimidated by the variety of opinions all
> > favoring the ultra-light backpacking experience.  I feel somewhat
> alienated
> > because I favor a comfortable, leisurely pace with access to a
> comfortable
> > life on the trail.  Of course comfort equals weight in most cases.  For
> > those who haven't spent months out at a time, I suggest adding three
> weeks
> > to your itinerary to provide healing time on zero days and for me, more
> > importantly it is the time to truly immerse myself in the journey of a
> > lifetime.  Experience is the only way to find your own comfort zone.
>  Start
> > off carrying what you feel you need at first, and as the weeks pass,
> > experience the wonder at the realization of what it is that you truly
> need
> > to be happy, and rejoice as you shake off your shell.  It truly is all
> > about Hiking Your Own Hike, and learning what works for you is kinda the
> > whole point.  For me it's about carrying a 50 + lb pack with food to keep
> > me from civilization for 2 weeks at a time.  Oftentimes I feel like a
> > penitent on a pilgrimige, especially the last few miles of the day, but
> > when I sit in my Thermarest chair-frame, comfortably seated in front of
> my
> > fire at night's end I find comfort in my surroundings and I gain more
> > through the suffering.  I may be punishing myself with a heavier load,
> but
> > I like it.  (Armchair therapists - feel free to weigh in on this)
>  Anyway,
> > as a life lesson I guess I try to stay behind the pack and HMOH.  This
> > should be fun!
> >
> > Happy Trails Everyone - wavycap -
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