[pct-l] Oprah and low snow provide a record year

[Heather McLean]

Hi Norseman,

I think you'll get as many answers as there are people to your questions -
I tend to agree with Dicentra in that social media has certainly increased
the information and interest in the PCT (or any trail for that matter) - I
know I've watched plenty of You Tube videos on many of the trails I wasn't
familiar with (some informative, some not).
I do agree that the O-Factor has brought a spotlight to the PCT, although
(as Mountain Mom pointed out), fads come and go. I personally didn't care
for the Strayed book, it felt choppy and contrived (may of been the
editing), and did feel there was a lot of fiction to the memoir. Who can
remember long rambling conversations from 15 years ago? Again, to each
his/her own, I didn't like it.

Best ~

Heather "Maps"

Message: 8
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:27:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rachel Dysart <rachel_dysart at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Oprah and low snow provide a record year?
To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Message-ID:
        <1363890479.86774.YahooMailNeo at web161505.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hello Norseman, seems like you have some fears about the PCT and the
future. ?Firstly, I think some fresh air and a walk out in the woods might
calm your soul. ?I know it's fun to "dig up" up some drama but it's more
fun to hear the crunch of the dirt under your shoes and to feel the sun on
your face.

The author, Cheryl Strayed, was young woman when she walked the trail and
the book is her memoir about her life. ?Her long walk on the PCT was her
way of processing her life events. ?I think she walked on the trail in the
early 90's, about 17 years ago. ?I'm not a fan of memoirs but I do read
anything related to the PCT so I gave it a try. ?She's an honest and open
author, which might offend some people. ?I appreciated her honestly and her
lack of "rose tinted glasses" about her life and experience walking.

As for the novelty and impact this book has on the PCT, I'm sure it will
ebb and flow with the movie probably having the biggest impact on interest.
?I've read some statements from members of the class of 2013 that they are
walking the trail this year because of both low snow level and fear of the
future popularity of the trail. ?I don't think there is much to fear though
because the human attention span is limited and often "fancies" are soon
forgotten.

As for the peddling and self-promoting, I cannot speak to that other than I
have great respect for people who have the courage to incorporate their
love of walking and the trail with their working life. ?My father was one
of those people. He was a man who loved the outdoors and so became a USFS
fire fighter. ?His favorite part was walking out into the forest with
nothing but his pack, tools and crew to fight the fires. ?If people can
make a living selling us awesome stuff to make our trail life easier, good
for them.

Okay enough computer time for me, time to stretch my legs. ?I wish you
peace and walking happiness Norseman.

Cheers,
MountainMom

> From: "vike norseman" <valhalla at greenmail.net>
>?Subject: [pct-l] Oprah and low snow provide a record year?
>?
>?I keep hearing of Oprah's book about some lost prostitute on the PCT.
>?Is it really a good book or just because its Oprah?
>?Like the PCT needs more books of self agrandizing.?
>?We have enough through hikers who are annoyingly
>?self promoters and peddling something. The spirit of the trail is lost
when we follow.
>?Will this novelty, like Bill Brysons book for the AT, coupled with a
likely
>?low snow year make 2013 a record year for thru-hikers attempted?
>?I see the kickoff registration closed in 1 day as well. Any other
indicators, like more than normal jounals?