[pct-l] 2010 thru hiker updates - PCT Blues

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I don't even know you, Iceaxe, or Shroomer or Slow and Steady, or the  
lot of you ex-PCT thru-hikers (except Chuck who I actually met!). But  
I feel like we're all old friends in a way. I so envy you, Iceaxe!  
This time next year you'll have your triple crown.

I've had the PCT blues pretty bad lately. Regular life just seems so  
tedious sometimes. I joined a discussion forum for people who live in  
RVs recently just so I could read the posts and dream a little about  
another nomadic way of life. Reading their discussions has given me  
the blues. I suspect there are a few there on that discussion who are  
former thru-hikers. Something about when you find out about this  
simple, nomadic way of life, if you took to it at all, it stays with  
you.

One thing about reading that discussion is there are so many people  
on it who look to solve all their problems by throwing money and  
stuff at it. I find myself wanting to say, No no! You don't have to  
buy XYZ for that. You can make it out of <insert some hiker trashy  
thing>.

What gives me the blues is having to live in that world of buy-to- 
solve, sometimes finding its thinking encroaching on me again. "I  
need X so I'll go to the store and buy it." I miss the life of  
solving my problems with the meager bag of tricks on my back and  
being totally self-contained and not being surrounded by such a  
clamor to spend and acquire. Feeling happy even though I stink, my  
clothes are stained and dirty and all I've eaten for 4 days is Mac- 
and-cheese.

~ Going on my 2nd year not being a hiker :(
On Jan 12, 2011, at 11:23 PM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> I think the only cure for the trail blues is to plan another  
> adventure.
> The economy is in the dumps here in California as far as new  
> construction plumbing goes so don't feel bad about work.
> I can't think of anything else in the world i would rather do than  
> hike this year anyways so.. I am hiking the AT.
> Maybe I will see you out there.
> Slow and Steady.. awesome trail names!
> Cheers to you both!
> -Iceaxe