[pct-l] Couples - 2010 Experience

[Robert Bellingham]

As newbie hikers last year we were aware that being civil to each other for 6 months on the PCT would be as much of a challenge as the trail itself.
Having been married for 33 years we new that it would require compromise and tolerance; me with her irritating ways, and her with my saintliness.

We quickly realised that we hike at different rates and to stay together throughout the day when she took 3 steps to my one was not going to work.
The concept of walking at the pace of the slowest person in the group is fine for a Sunday afternoon jaunt but impractical when distance hiking.
So, it came to be that I would walk ahead at a comfortable pace for me and sometimes be a couple of miles in front where I would then stop and wait, read the maps or talk to fellow hikers day / sobo's etc.

It became quite OK for us and we'd enjoy the breaks together probably more than trying to chat while walking single file on difficult terrain - I would of course wait for her at river crossings, rock falls, trail junctions etc.
Tip for guys: (and you'll thank me for this) don't get up and start walking off the minute she gets there having had a relaxing break yourself!

Some nights I would have the tent up, fire going and dinner cooking when she staggered into camp - what a guy!

Bob B
Slow and Steady - PCT 2010.
www.trailjournals.com/bobandbarb

on the trail last 
On 20/01/2011, at 7:24 AM, Cheryl Christensen wrote:

> That is a FABULOUS idea!!!!! My hubby and I are going to be members of the
> class of 2012... I have been wondering how to keep from killing him... and
> we are only training and planning at this point! With your amazing idea we
> may both live to see the PCT after all!!!!
> 
> Thanx!
> 
> On 19 January 2011 09:17, Toby Maxwell <toby.m.maxwell at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
>> talking to someone who did the AT with a partner i was told itd be a
>> good idea to come up with a code word beforehand which doesn't arise
>> often and basically conveys, "im really tired, hungry, annoyed,
>> frustrated and I dont want to hear your BS right now, though I admit I
>> may be being irrational" thats a lot of impact for one word, but
>> seemed like a good idea.  Say "toucan" or something and you both go
>> quiet, take a breath, and think about things more rationally and begin
>> to make progress.  Thats part of my plan for hiking with my girlfriend
>> this summer anyways, seems like a cool idea, though admittedly you'd
>> never be in that situation if you were alone.
>> 
>> -Toby
>> 
>> On Tue, Jan 18, 2011 at 9:58 PM, Gerry Zamora <gerry0625 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I guess this is why im hiking solo I will hike my hike at my pace I love
>> my
>>> wife but when on the trail I don't have time to worry to busy enjoying
>> life.
>>> On Jan 18, 2011 3:28 PM, "Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes" <
>>> diane at santabarbarahikes.com> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> On Jan 18, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
>>>>> and if you have the right partner might get you a back rub or your
>>>>> feet massaged.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Heh heh, I have the right partner. Trailhacker has the wrong partner.
>>>> 
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