[pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?

[ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com]

Fantastic, Diane! You hit the nail on the head.

I don't know if its the shoes that contribute to the low success rate or any 
of a number of issues, some of which you've mentioned, but to help hikers 
have a great, safe, healthy, and terrifically rewarding experience out on 
the long trails, I'm questioning the accepted norm. Are the current trends 
in training, food, gear, schedules, pace, etc. really allowing hikers a 
better time in the wilderness?

I had an incredible time on the trail and want more people to have the kind 
of experience you speak of, where you're prepared physically, mentally, 
emotionally, and spiritually for all the trail has to offer. Some find what 
they're looking for in themselves, in others, or in the spiritual and some 
are out there for altogether other reasons. If you wanted to help hikers get 
past the first few weeks or month and the calls of home, what would be your 
advise?

Mtnned
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 9:02 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Trail Running Shoes so great?


>
> On Feb 20, 2009, at 8:23 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>> ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com wrote:
>>> I guess I'm still trying to figure out how come about 75% of thru
>>> hikers
>>> leave the trail....
> You think it's trail runners?
>
> People who leave the trail in the first couple of hundred miles
> probably were not prepared physically or mentally or both. People who
> have made it through the Sierra are probably feeling lonely for
> family and home and overwhelmed with how much distance is left to go.
>
> The PCT is more a mental game than a physical one. As soon as home
> starts calling you, if you can't find a reason to continue, you'll
> just go home.
>
> But don't think going home is a bad thing or a failure. Many of us go
> on the trail seeking a spiritual experience and once it has been had,
> we know the right time to go home.
>
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