[pct-l] Trail Journals

[Bob]

One thing I like about trail journals is their wide diversity, reflecting
the individual.  The fact that all journals do not follow the same terse
guidelines helps one with insights into differing personalities and the
trail day as experienced in differing ways by different people... the
essence of HYOH.  Besides, for whom is a trail journal written?  Is it to
entertain or educate others and written with an eye to avoiding critical
comment?  (Gee, should I write this...?  I may be viewed as "whining.")  If
so, some might suggest it may be flawed from the outset. I use a MP3 player
to talk into as I hike. It's in my front pocket and several times a mile I
grab it to record thoughts, sightings, people's names, as well as host of
comments on my physical state of being that I want to remember as part of my
trail experience.  Example: Whew, did I just have projectile diarrhea! (No,
not this posting, folks).  Sometimes I ramble on (just like this post,
folks). I am guilty of writing more a trail diary than a log or journal.  It
is precisely because of comments like the well-intentioned guidelines
suggested below that I have never publicly posted my four trail "journals."
While I sure enjoy reading other accounts occasionally, mine proudly include
whining and stay deliciously private.  :)

Dr Bob 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Alison Rose
Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 4:04 AM
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Trail Journals

Dear Campers ~

Let's discuss trail journals for a moment.  Seems few have been able to 
produce a really good
trail journal.  Yeah, yeah, HYOH and JYOJ (journal your own journal) and all

that, but if you
want your journal to be interesting, please try to follow a few basic rules:
1.  Be Consistent.  Don't be a dufus and write "will update later" for days 
at a time. BORING.
2.  Genuine is (think of something that rhymes with genuine that is cool and

conveys brevity).  What's it
like out there?  What are you thinking and feeling?
3.  Include either GPS points or start and stop locations.  That way we can 
track progress on Google Earth.
4.  Try to include daily high and low temps.  A Suunto watch would do the 
trick.  And an altimeter, barometer
and electric compass with built in declimation is included for no extra 
cost.
5.  Tell us up front what gear you're taking.  Then tell us what you got rid

of along the way.  And why.
6.  Remember that you chose to hike.  It's not a job and you're supposed to 
be enjoying it.  No whining.
7.  Descriptions of breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks do not a good 
journal make.  After a while we don't
care what you ate.  Might as well describe your daily bowel movements. 
"Well, today I really grunted one out.."
8.  Try to keep each days entry under 1500 words.  Share stories.
9.  Give a full debriefing when you're done.  What worked, what didn't, 
advice, gear reviews, personal
struggles, difficulties, joys - all are great to read about.

To date, my favorite journal is 
http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?entry_id=1210.  This gentleman
never complained, loved his trip, gave wonderful descriptions of the trail, 
his location, difficulties, joys, etc.
It was just a skillfully simple, straight forward journal.

Happy Hiking! 


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