[pct-l] What the PCT is Really Like

[linsey]

"sounds like hes the greatest hiker around and yet sooooo many people think hes an idiot...... or worse...."

<and yet so many of the techniques he pioneered are now considered the distance hiking standard, for example distance hiking in athletic shoes rather than boots.  

His terminology is firmly embedded in the distance hiking lexicon, for example he repurposed the term "Triple Crown" for distance hiking the three major trails.   

Let me encourage everyone to read his books, peruse his online adventure resume, and make the decision for yourself.  

There are some of his techniques that have fallen out of favor that I employ.  For example, "thumb loops"--I swear by them because I no longer use trekking poles.  The only other time I've seen anyone use them was Scott Williamson in a photo from a "Backpacking" magazine article...  

BTW it is Ray's wife, Jenny Jardine, who is my true hero as she has matched him most every step of the way the whole time and then some.  They both leave me starstruck.

xoxoLollygag