[pct-l] PCT

[Bill Burge]

> Most groups of people, even 2 person groups, who started from Campo together
> last season did not ultimately stay together. 


My girlfriend will be _really_ glad to hear THAT!  ;-)

Luckily, I had knee surgery a month ago and that might slow me down enough!

BillB



On Nov 16, 2010, at 10:23 AM, Scott Williams wrote:

> Most groups of people, even 2 person groups, who started from Campo together
> last season did not ultimately stay together.  It was a great way to begin,
> but most, even folks who had come from other countries to hike the trail
> together, eventually split up over basic trail speed issues.  Once you, or
> they, really get your trail legs, it's just hard to slow down day after day
> to accommodate the speed, or need for zero days, or injuries and recovery
> times, of the others.  I didn't meet anyone who had needed to go it on their
> own due to not getting along, but the need to push on for some of us was
> paramount.  Folks I really liked just needed more zeros, or a slower pace,
> and I felt great just plodding along day after day at my own speed, and so
> ultimately hiked with 4 different groups over the summer.  You will meet
> such wonderful people who are traveling at your speed, that you will gain
> new friends who are worth getting to know.  The different people I hiked
> with and became friends with were an important part of the magic.  And there
> will be times you want to hike alone, to be with your own thoughts in such
> beauty.
> 
> Notable exceptions who stayed together were the Israeli Gears, 3 very fast
> and strong hikers, Johnny Law and Missing Link, dear friends from childhood,
> as well as many married, or "steady partners" who were so committed it
> didn't matter how fast one wanted to hike, he or she simply slowed down.
> There were others as well, but a common painful point on the trail for many
> was when they split up from hikers they thought would be with them to the
> end.
> 
> If you can, train together with the group you plan to hike with, and have an
> understanding that it's OK to split up when and if the time comes.  Most
> anyone who stays on trail with find another group to hike with at their
> speed if they continue on, and want a group.  Fifteen miles sounds great,
> but add some hills or mtns if you can.
> 
> Have a great time.
> 
> Shroomer
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