[pct-l] Being joined by friends

[jeff.singewald at comcast.net]

I would have to agree.  Last year in Oregon as I was pulling 35-38 mile days, a friend of mine decided to join me for 3 days.  After the first couple of hours, he realized that the old elevator was moving much faster than he anticipated.  So, we agreed that I would carry both his pack and mine.  Additionally, I fashioned a sled made of pine bows much like the Indians used to make and I pulled him along as well.  I was forced to drop my mileage down a bit but we still enjoyed 30 mile days this way!

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "David Stewart" <davidalexanderstewart at gmail.com> 

> I have to agree there. I had friends try to join me on the AT and Vermont 
> Long Trail and they had a miserable time. I had very little LD-Hiking 
> experience, but I had an idea of what it was like...my friends thought it 
> was more "camping" and less "hiking", which I guess means to them something 
> like: comfortable, hanging around alot, nothing too strenuous, etc... 
> 
> and there are no switchbacks in the east, so even low mileage days can be 
> very tiring and trying if that one 10-mile day includes one steep 
> ascent/descent. this simply laid my friends to waste. especially because 
> most people joined on my 7th or 10th or 14th day and I was already in trail 
> shape of some kind.... 
> 
> I was somewhat frustrated, as this was "my" hike and they invited themselves 
> and then couldn't hang. 
> 
> That may sound arrogant/selfish/etc, and maybe it is.... but, if people do 
> not have a real solid idea of what they are getting into, both mentally and 
> physically, then they may be in for a rough time.... 
> 
> Also, I have tried to explain to people that, in my experiences, Mile 1 on 
> Day 13 is not just mile 1. It is more like mile 167 (or whatever)...there is 
> a cumulative effect from all the miles.... 
> 
> "20-mile days" (or whatever mileage) do not exist separately from one 
> another, in my opinion. the days and miles can blend together, mentally and 
> physically.... 
> 
> I have backed a few people off of my hike this year for the same reason that 
> I have never been on the PCT and do not what to expect (from) myself....that 
> is *almost* reason enough to not have to be *responsible* for someone 
> else.... 
> 
> my 2 cents. if these 2 cents were in euros, they would be worth slightly 
> more than 3 cents. if they were in british sterling, you would all be 
> rich.... 
> 
> -moondog 
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