[pct-l] Super Super Secrets

[Steel-Eye]

Well said, Piper,

According to the lyrics of "Two Little Feet":
   "We have no knowledge
    And so we have 'stuff',
    But 'stuff' without knowledge
    Is never enough.
    It just won't get you there."

Think how much better it would be if we all started at Campo hiking like 
Grandma Gatewood on the AT who carried little more than a bedroll, an old 
shower curtain for shelter, and a sack of food.  That's pretty much the 
lowest common denominator.

New hikers always seem willing to trade treasure for "stuff", but later up 
the trail when they have more experience, they begin to think in terms of 
trading effort for "stuff"; as in, "Do I really want that bad enough to 
carry it for 2000 miles?"

Sometimes knowledge comes at a price:
  Hiker 1    "What's that thing in the trail?
  Hiker 2    "That's a smart-pill --  try it.
  Hiker 1      Munch, munch.  "Hey, it's a rabbit dropping!"
  Hiker 2    "See, you're getting smarter already."

Steel-Eye
http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

^^^^^^^^^^  Join other hikers at:  http://www.aldhawest.org/  ^^^^^^^^^^


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 7:02 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Super Super Secrets


> Here's a couple of super super secrets about gear:
>
> 1. You will do your best to find the right gear before you go, but
> along the way, some of it won't work as well as you want. You can
> actually go shopping while you hike! Yes, that's right. The wonders
> of the Internet make it possible to shop along the trail. You can
> observe the other hikers and decide what they have is better than
> what you have and order what they have at your next town stop for
> pick-up at your next next town stop. In Agua Dulce you may even be
> able to catch a ride to REI and fondle the goods in person before you
> buy. This means one of your most important items of gear is your
> credit card.
>
> You can also read the pct-l list, including back issues, while you
> are hiking -- in town stops of course -- to find out what conditions
> will be like ahead of you. You can also talk to people along the
> trail. If it turns out you think your gear will be inadequate in the
> rainy wilds of Oregon, you can order more gear online! Yay for the
> Internet!
>
> 2. Gear will be a big deal while you are getting ready and for the
> first, oh, 500 miles or so. You will talk about your gear with other
> hikers, ask them questions about their gear, compare and contrast.
> Eventually it will all become a great big bore. You'll send half of
> it home. It will be the last thing on your mind. You'll become one
> with the wilderness. Gear, also known as "stuff", will no longer
> matter. All that will matter is water and shade, bears and foxes,
> wildflowers and meadows, simplicity and freedom.
>
> Enjoy your journey!
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