[pct-l] Blossoming of the list!

[Jeffrey Olson]

I'm so happy that the negativity of the last weeks has pretty much 
disappeared.  For all the people that have joined over the summer who 
haven't written, but are soaking up what you read, I hope you feel 
welcome. 


The foundation of this list is not those of us who have been here for 
years, but you new subscribers and your enthusiasm.  This is the best 
resource in the world for thinking about and planning a long-distance 
hike, thru-hike or section-hike.  I really miss new people asking 
questions. 


Sure you can search the archives and probably find an answer to your 
question.  But it's the anticipatory excitement of someone who just 
discovered long distance hiking, exploring gear, conditions, mental 
attitudes, why people quit the trail, why they succeed that renews my 
own perspective.  Ask your questions and don't be deferred to searching 
the archives. 


Most of us who have been here for a long time really enjoy offering our 
experience and learning and (maybe) wisdom.  And I learn from your 
questions, and read what you have to write. 


For all of you who have joined and lurk, soaking up the knowledge and 
perspectives expressed here, I hope you feel comfortable enough to ask 
your questions, even if you have a feeling they've been asked before.  
As we move into fall and winter, the discussions will move to the class 
of 2009 planning their trip, networking through the listserv and meeting 
each other online. 


Please, please, please, do not be put off by edginess of a few posters - 
express your enthusiasm.  It really does renew me, and my guess is, many 
of the couple thousand people that belong to the listserv...  I'm 
planning a thruhike of either the PCT or CDT in 2010 at the age of 58.  
I think I'm a little different in that I will be looking for a woman who 
wants to hike with me, and have a relationship that is committed - 
committed for that eight months of planning/hiking...  I look forward to 
that whole process... 


Every winter I get stoked as those who are actually going to start their 
hikes in April and May plan and think, and wonder, and worry, and get 
kind of quirky!  So those of you who have questions and wonder and 
imagine please offer yourself here.  Your questions and worries and 
comments kindle my own enthusiasm. 


Jeffrey Olson "Jeff, just Jeff" (said to the cadence of "Bond, James Bond)
Martin, SD