[pct-l] Response to Fear is a Choice

[jeff.singewald at comcast.net]

Diane, 



As a member of the class of 06 that experienced the "austere, white landscape" I can say that it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.  No doubt, it was incredibly challenging and there were two occassions in which my two partners were well off trail, however, there is something magical about the unknown and facing one's fears head on. 



I think each of us need to make the choice that we are most comfortable with at each turn of the trail.  I know you are planning to make another attempt this year.  I hope that some of your fears will be mitigated by the accomplishments that you had in 08. 



Best of luck, 



Elevator 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com" <diane at santabarbarahikes.com> 
To: ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com 
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net 
Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 7:47:33 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific 
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Response to Fear is a Choice 


On Jan 30, 2009, at 1:09 AM, <ned at pacificcrestcustombuilders.com> wrote: 

> Yes, by staying within the protective herd of assumed experienced   
> through hikers, it is highly probable that you will go the   
> distance. Your inexperience and lack of self-confidence born out of   
> fear compels you to stay in groups for safety. 

To be clear, I hiked the trail solo. If you are hiking within the   
dates of the herd, the snow has a trail on top of it that you can   
follow. Even so, I did lose the trail often to the point of maddening   
annoyance, but I wasn't holding anybody's hand nor needing a compass   
or a group. Trekking poles were sufficient. Grippier shoes would have   
helped me. 

By the way, I don't think that ice axes would have done anybody any   
good. Anyone I saw who had one never took it off their pack. Perhaps   
they used them more often in 2006. I saw the video from that year. I   
think I would have cried every day if I had to walk in such an   
austere, white landscape. It was like the desert all over again. 
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