[pct-l] the on-trail obstacles of LD hiking

[Matt Maxon]

Mtnned
While I haven't hiked the whole PCT (yet!), I gotta be a section hiker, due
to long standing responsiblities.

But that aside, I hike outside of the "Thru Hiker Season" and many segments
of the PCT are infrequently traveled at best, you can hike for day's on end
and meet no one.

So for me it is over coming the "fear" of being alone, but as time has gone
on I have come to enjoy my outings....

There are the enevitable, fears when doing something you've not done before,
or just being someplace new. For me a lot of mental energy is expended in
orienting myself, making sure I'm on track, what is coming up next, where is
the water.

There is dealing with your own doubt's too, you're hiking up some really
steep segment, it is blazing hot, you're outta water, gnats and fly's
buzzing, and you say to you're self "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING OUT HERE?".

But you get to the top, the cool breezes take over, you find that spring,
WAHOO what a view, "I wonder what the poor people are doing today?".

But I think if you can beat those doubts, eliminate the negative thoughts,
you can do it.

Cheers
Trail90
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ned Tibbits" <ned at mountaineducation.com>
To: "PCT MailingList" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2006 12:14 AM
Subject: [pct-l] the on-trail obstacles of LD hiking


> What are the real obstacles to a successful Long Distance hike like the
PCT?
>
>
> Trail90 recently posted the comment,
>
> "The most difficult obstacle on the PCT is not a physical one."
>
> What was the obstacle for you?  Was your biggest struggle with the
physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual aspects of the thru hike?
>
> Based on responses we've received from our Sierra Snow Questionnaire and
the thread on "Reasons for Quitting," quite a few hikers seriously deal with
mental, emotional, and spiritual concerns, some to the point of leaving the
trail.
>
> We offer help, advise, and aid with respect to questions about physical
training, equipment choices, and food preparation, but rarely does the
community address what the hiker may go through mentally, emotionally, or
spiritually.
>
> The long trail can change your life, certainly your outlook upon it.  How
has it  changed you?
>
>
> Mtnned
>
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