[pct-l] encouragement

[Monty Tam]

I listened to Scott Williamson, as he completed his second Yo-Yo last
Tuesday, say to the reporters "Follow your dreams."

I see Girlscout posted something really good.  I'd say see how you like
hiking 5 days in a row, 20 miles a day.  If that suits you, well a
thru-hike is just like that.  Then you do it again 25 more times.

Warner Springs Monty



> [Original Message]
> From: Linda Bakkar <lbakkar at hotmail.com>
> To: <metam01 at earthlink.net>
> Date: 12/7/2006 7:58:58 PM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] encouragement
>
> Thank you so much!  I can already answer some of the questions.  I have 
> hiked some 20 mile days in the last couple of years.  I was tired, but I
was 
> ready to go in the morning.  I am used to steady plodding up ridges.  I
am 
> not fast, but I can keep going for long periods without stopping, even on 
> steep inclines.  I don't care about the grime, and I am able to hike in
the 
> same clothes for days.  I like to be clean, but I don't mind honest sweat.
>
> I am sure there is more to learn, though, even with 20 years experience.  
> One never stops learning.  I graduated from the Basic Climbing Course of
the 
> Seattle Mountaineers, and I have taken MOFA classes.  And I have learned 
> from my experienced friends.  But I will say, I think I will always find 
> someone with a new approach, or a new idea, that I never thought of.
>
> Actually, I met Billy Goat at Aldha-West once.  And a hiking partner of
mine 
> sat with him on a log last year and talked for about a half hour.  He
told 
> her that, the thing we need to do is to get up in the morning and start 
> walking -- and not to worry about distance and speed...just walk.  I
liked 
> the attitude he expressed to her.
>
> Thank you for your answer.  It does make me feel better.
>
> Lindy
>
>
> >From: "Monty Tam" <metam01 at earthlink.net>
> >Reply-To: metam01 at earthlink.net
> >To: "Linda Bakkar" <lbakkar at hotmail.com>
> >Subject: RE: [pct-l] encouragement
> >Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2006 19:35:13 -0800
> >
> >Hi Lindy
> >I like your post.
> >
> >If people are not supposed to thru-hike the PCT after 60 then quite a few
> >hikers are getting it all wrong.
> >
> >I can't think of too many off hand, but Billy Goat and Wildcat stand out.
> >Also Dr. Bob and Jackalope.  There's more.
> >I've met a few people who retired then went straight to the PCT.
> >
> >Better questions to ask yourself would be:
> >How have you done hiking 20 miles a day in your immediate past?
> >Are you OK hiking uphill a continuous 4000 feet?
> >Do you mind getting grimey, sweaty, and stinky 5 days in a row without
> >bathing?
> >What do you need to learn to make the hike?
> >Where can you learn it?
> >
> >Warner Springs Monty
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > [Original Message]
> > > From: Linda Bakkar <lbakkar at hotmail.com>
> > > To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> > > Date: 12/7/2006 7:08:48 PM
> > > Subject: [pct-l] encouragement
> > >
> > > For the last 20 years or so, I have spent my summers hiking and
climbing
> >in
> > > the Pacific Northwest -- a week here, a few days there.  I have had a
> >dream
> > > to thru-hike the PCT for many of those years, and I have completed the
> > > Washington State section in bits and pieces.  I love the PCT and can't
> >wait
> > > to get out on it.  (I am sure you can all relate to that feeling.) 
When
> >it
> > > is time to leave the trail, I find myself yearning to 
> >continue....slowing
> > > down on the last day of a section hike to make it last.  My thru-hike
of
> >the
> > > PCT is planned for 2008, and I have been keeping myself as strong as I
> >can
> > > for my age.  You see, I will be 61 when I set out from Campo.
> > >
> > > Even though I have no serious physical problems, my doctor used some
> > > sarcastic comments near the end of last summer about my wanting to
hike
> >from
> > > Mexico to Canada, and I am ALMOST 60 YEARS OLD!!!  I was kind of angry
> >then.
> > >   After that, instead of telling people I was going to thru-hike, I
> >started
> > > telling people "I will hike as much of the trail as my body will let 
> >me."
> >
> > > And if it turns out that it is the whole trail...........I just want
to
> >be
> > > out there!
> > >
> > > A couple of days ago, a teacher in the high school where I work told
me
> >he
> > > thinks it is unrealistic for me to plan such a long hike -- even to
plan
> >to
> > > hike long sections.  But I love to hike in the backcountry, especially
> >above
> > > treeline, and even off-trail when I get a chance.  I don't feel 60!!!
> > > Besides, what is 60 supposed to feel like, anyway?
> > >
> > > I need some encouragement from my trail friends on the PCT-list.  Is
age
> > > really a factor in whether one should try to hike long distance?  I 
> >don't
> > > want to buy my rocking chair just yet!
> > >
> > > Lindy
> > > North of Seattle
> > >
> > >
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> >
> >
>
>