[pct-l] Why hike for so long?

[albert at survivalcrafters.com]

I've mostly given up on trying to explain the internal drive that sends us
out into the wilds for long periods of time. Now when I'm asked questions
like "Why would anyone want to hike for that long?" I look at them in all
earnestness and questioning concern and quietly ask them "Why wouldn't
anyone want to if they could?". Usually there's a long enough silence while
they consider my point of view that I can see a brief longing in there eyes
to do the same thing. Then they snap back into what they consider common
sense and bring up getting hot or cold or lost or accidently surprising
big-foot on the trail.

------------------------------

I like the way Thoreau writes about it.

"Walking:

It is true, we are but faint-hearted crusaders, even the walkers, nowadays,
who undertake no persevering, never-ending enterprises. Our expeditions are
but tours, and come round again at evening to the old hearth-side from which
we set out. Half the walk is but retracing our steps. We should go forth on
the shortest walk, perchance, in the spirit of undying adventure, never to
return—prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only as relics to our
desolate kingdoms. If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother
and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again—if you
have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and
are a free man—then you are ready for a walk. 

I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits, unless I spend four
hours a day at least—and it is commonly more than that—sauntering through
the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly
engagements. You may safely say, A penny for your thoughts, or a thousand
pounds. When sometimes I am reminded that the mechanics and shopkeepers stay
in their shops not only all the forenoon, but all the afternoon too, sitting
with crossed legs, so many of them—as if the legs were made to sit upon, and
not to stand or walk upon—I think that they deserve some credit for not
having all committed suicide long ago. 

How womankind, who are confined to the house still more than men, stand it I
do not know; but I have ground to suspect that most of them do not STAND it
at all. When, early in a summer afternoon, we have been shaking the dust of
the village from the skirts of our garments, making haste past those houses
with purely Doric or Gothic fronts, which have such an air of repose about
them, my companion whispers that probably about these times their occupants
are all gone to bed. Then it is that I appreciate the beauty and the glory
of architecture, which itself never turns in, but forever stands out and
erect, keeping watch over the slumberers." -- by Henry David Thoreau 


I really enjoyed this and the whole text is readable here...
http://survivalcrafters.com/aaBook/Walking/Walking.aspx 

Prepping for 2011 too,
Albert
 

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Bryan Cox
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 9:42 PM
To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Why hike for so long?

I will be on the trail April 26th. My question is well, everyone ask me why
would anyone want to hike for that long. I run in to trouble trying to
answer them. I just tell them why not. Does anyone out there have a hard
time answering the same thing? If so what do you say? 

I know in my heart why, to me its more then something written or said. Its
what we do, our  passion. I know anyone can put their feet in front of them
one step at a time and get from point A to point B. But my people just don't
get! What do you all say to the undesirables?


      
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