[pct-l] 8 cy VS 4 cy and seeing the light

[Reinhold Metzger]

Joe,
You are so right, speed hikers are a misunderstood breed.....they are known
as the ''crazy ones'' and forever criticized by ''purists'' for hiking to
fast and
and not enjoying their hike.
Many folks just don't understand us......but we crazy ones, we understand
each other.

I LOOK AT IT LIKE THIS:
There are rabbits and there are turtles, they each enjoy their journey in
their
own way.
Turtles will forever criticize rabbits for going to fast and not enjoying
their hike.
Who is to say how to hike or how to enjoy a hike?
Who is to say if turtles enjoy their journey more than rabbits?

In nature not all things are created equal.

I like the way Lance Armstrong puts it......''Some of us are born with 4
cylinders
some of us are born with 8 cylinders''.
The 4 cylinders will forever complain that the 8 cylinders are going to
fast.

I say ....HYOH....and who cares what everybody else thinks.

By the way Joe, the first time I hiked the JMT in 1996 with the Boy Scouts
we also
did in 21 days and I hauled a 75 - 85 lb pack........NEVER  AGAIN!!!

As I got older and wiser  ''I SAW THE LIGHT''  now I go ultra-light.
But you know Joe, some folks don't get wiser as they get older, they just
get older
and they never see the light.

JMT Reinhold
The old wise one

-------------------------------------------


> TOTTOO  JOE wrote:
> I think one of the most often asked questions I have been asked is, "Why
> would you want to hike through the wilderness so fast?" A speed hike is so
> misunderstood. I like to mention all the benefits to hiking a fast hike.
> Rather than spending time in hotel rooms, I spend every night under the
> stars, which turns out to be a much more of a wilderness expirence.
Rather
> than bringing what is not needed, I live life much more simple. Your pack
> weight is far more easier on your body, in return you are just as happy as
> can be tramping through the forest. You are at resupply much quicker, and
> just long enough to eat what is impossible to bring. The condition of your
> body, becomes the ultimate high. You can start behind everyone, meet them
> all and only stick around just long enough to enjoy ones company, but not
> too long that the trail seems crowded. You will have enough time to enjoy
> more trail for the rest of the summer. You walk early and late, when you
> will see much more wildlife. You will spend less time and MONEY, which
will
> allow you to do it more often. ect.......
>
> Most any fast packers will also tell you that they were not born this way,
> that they evolved. I myself hiked the John Muir, in 21 days and less than
6.
> Both hikes were completely different, yet just as rewarding. But, I will
> never hike it in 21 days again. I also carried a 70lb pack before, but
after
> 35+ years of hiking, I learned what I need, and that the lighter the pack
> the more I enjoy the hike. In 2005, I thru-hiked with a sub-5lb pack.
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