[pct-l] Through or Section Hiking

[Marge]

I do not think the subject of Thru or Section Hiker was ever in my
vocabulary, I was just a hiker and a lite weight backpacker. I could go for
five days or three weeks or more and I was delighted with that. I loved to
hike on the PCT and lots of other places as well including the Sawtooth
Mtns. here in Idaho. Nothing had to be in a straight line, I hiked where
ever the opportunity led me.Did part of the Colorado trail and my passion
was Nepal, did about five treks there.  I was a hiker and that was what I
wanted to do.  My favorite hiking partner was a Benedictine Monk.  I was in
fairly good shape and even today I still work out in my wheel chair three
times a week and do 150 pushup each time.  Am trying to get my upper body
strong enough to propel my self when I try out the Nordic sled at the end of
the week., we will see.

MY favorite quote from the Monk at the end of one of his trip reports is as
follows:

People sometimes wonder why a backpacker will go out for a couple of weeks
into the wilderness or even take extended (months-long) backpacking trips.
There are a number of reasons: a desire to live in the natural world; to
escape or recuperate from some part of their lives back home; for the
physical challenge; to live entirely in the present tense, that is, to slow
down and experience very simple parts of life very intensely; to embark on a
heroic quest.  One author concludes that "for me there is a rightness and a
balance to long-distance walking; its pace, its intensity, its simplicity."
For me it is a joy to set out on a long trail with a light heart and a free
spirit.  It is a spiritual experience that offers an atmosphere for
integrating into one's whole being and life a balance between prayer, work
and creative leisure."

Cheers,

Marge the old gal