[pct-l] The Animal Inside,and some B.S.

[Melanie Clarke]

Dear Mikey,

Hey, good to hear that you're doing well.  I just wanted to calm you down
with my perspective on this.  I see the Ned/Postholer tiff as a "Clash of
the Titans"!  They are both truly great men, Demi-gods, if you will, who
have contributed so much to help us "little people" hike the PCT trail.
 Most of us have no business with such an enormous undertaking, yet these
men help make our "impossible dream" a reality.  Sometimes egos get in the
way, it happens in high levels of the military, politics, movie industry
etc.  You can relax as it seems to me that these two are "big boyz" in the
PCT world and they can take care of themselves.  Their proficiency in their
respective "PCT niches" will continue to give them all the credibility they
need for years to come.  We "mere mortals" will continue our "pilgrimages"
seeking wisdom and knowledge from BOTH of these PCT Gurus.

Clash of the Titans, Mikey, Clash of the Titans.

Toga

On Wed, Jul 13, 2011 at 7:25 AM, Mike Chapman <altathunder76 at gmail.com>wrote:

> Ive been prep hiking for my release back into the wild,ive dominated
> Donner Summit and did a little peak hiking and blazing of new
> trails,it feels great to do what makes me feel good. I leave this
> morning heading north on pct,but will come back after 100 or so miles
> and head south. I read somewhere on this site that its not worth
> risking your life for the pct. Can I ask you what is worth risking
> your life for,your 9-5? Is this gods plan,9-5 and hope that fun finds
> you in your golden years,if you make it that far(f#$% that).  I still
> suffer the effects of Steven Johnsons Syndrome,which is basically
> untreatable,and can take you off the planet. Im as itchy as a person
> covered with poison oak(over a month of this),but when im hiking,im
> not itching,im too busy! Sure,I wanted to go from campo strait to the
> northern terminus,but I slipped up and got a huge dose of reality,im
> not superman(doh!). Im a firm beleiver that I dont guide my path,im
> just the conductor on the train of life,just keep your arms in the
> window and watch for road crossings. Im not a violent person(sure),but
> when people get crazy or tough on this list or in life in general,my
> hair on my neck stands,and I feel the animal inside,ready to pounce.
> This is the feeling I get,when im raging thru the pct. Dont be ashamed
> to show emotion,I often foam at the mouth with rage,I like to pump
> myself up. Sure,its a little weird when I come around the corner and
> my face is full of tears,and im growling the word RAGE! But,whatever
> works for you,some like energy GU,or protein shakes to get pumped up,a
> prime example of HYOH. Id like to say that if you plan on doing the
> pct and dont know snow,please take Neds class(why not?). Im pretty
> sure Ned has never told anyone that they must start the pct at a
> certain date,and to tell you the truth,some people would never listen
> to advise from this list anyway. But I think its great to say what you
> feel PCT List,you got some valid points,im just unsure that there is
> answers to some of these problems,everyone is so different. How can
> stuff that works for you,work the same for me?  Just to prove that I
> can,id like to call out the powers that be,that kicked Reinhold out of
> the K.O. Are these the same people that preach HYOH?(please) I really
> wanted to hear this dude,and to hear about how it went down,really
> makes me sick. I dont like when people get picked on,and to see the
> guy(K.O. Goon) walking around with the scowel of little mans
> disease,wanting to show how tough he is,please,get a full size goon
> and fight non hikers,or pct legends. Yes Tortoise,the truth does
> matter,and dont be affraid to tell it. Hike On!
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