[pct-l] Trail magic and the PCT culture

[ned at mountaineducation.org]

Wow!

Those of us who "give back," encouraging others to follow our steps, go 
where we've gone, making it easier, safer, more fun, lighter, simpler, or at 
least more basic, are passionate about it because we realize that the 
experience of where we went changed our lives.

You first see an expeditionary "hike" as a simple walk in the woods. Then 
you plan it, going through all the details and personal preparations to 
accomplish the thing logistically and in doing so realize that it may be a 
real challenge. Nevertheless, by the time you hit the trail you're so 
excited that the time has actually and finally come that adrenaline 
catapults you up the trail those first few days.

The buzz of the start subsides a bit into a rhythm and through that new 
lifestyle you deal with the daily inner changes (that you had no idea would 
be so powerful because you've never been out in the wilderness so long), 
route and town opportunities, schedule and priority alterations, injuries, 
and gear adjustments to the point where you suddenly, one day, realize that 
you're going to make it to Canada!

It is through this process that we are changed, new priorities in life 
matter more than the ones you knew before the "hike," and as a matter of 
fact, the guy or girl who emerged at the end is a totally different person. 
The time frame to accomplish this is different for each person. But when all 
is said and done and a few years have gone by since "your hike," it is this 
change, rather than all the pictures and friends you took or made, that you 
take with you the rest of your life. It is when we are alone with ourselves 
that we feel it the most. It isn't the one we see in the mirror. It is the 
person who talks to us as we hike.

Yes, a hike of the Pacific Crest Trail has become a social thing over the 
years, probably due to the number of folks attempting it each year and the 
information now available to make it easier. You can walk it in a group of 
your choosing even though you started on your own or you can walk it alone, 
if you want. But it is the time spent alone that changes you. Then you 
realize that, spiritually, you are not alone at all.

It's like travelling through a foreign country in a group or alone. Stay in 
the group and you interact less with the locals; travel solo and you're 
forced to make contacts, meet people, share stories, absorb some of their 
way of life. It is the latter that has the more profound change on your 
life. This is true for the trail, too, I think, but the one big difference 
is that on the trail we spend time hiking by ourselves even though we are in 
a group. This gives us the time where we absorb into our very soul the 
"wilderness lifestyle," the stuff Thoreau talked about, the rhythm of the 
long trail, the "basics of life" and this is what changes us. The more time 
spent there, the deeper the change. In the evenings when you're together in 
your group, you can talk about it. In the end, this change, this new reality 
is what you take home.

Take away all the social noise of society, the distractions, clocks, phones, 
and temptations in daily life and you're left with your self. Do you know 
who that is? (Some come to the trail to find this!) Were you ready for this 
development in your hike? Did you know that when you're alone in the 
mountains for weeks or months on end that this would surface? Some hikers 
actually leave the trail and their "dream hike" because they can't deal with 
themselves and the inner confrontation and social loneliness. Even if you 
hike the whole thing with another or a group, there will be talk of this, 
much discussion about "life back home," society, work, and the reasons for 
life. It gets pretty profound, but that's where the heart and spirit go when 
we're no longer distracted by time, work, and the busyness of life.

So when you reach the end of the trail and find out "re-entry" exists 
because you've changed (and you like it!), you want to help others, the 
class of hikers next year, realize that the value of the experience goes way 
beyond walking a dirt and rock path for 2,650 miles in one shot and that it 
was the best thing you've ever done! Hiking a long trail is not just an 
accomplishment, it is an experience that changes people. Wilderness does 
that. (That's why Mountain Education is here, to help the aspiring to 
discover them selves and this new life by extending their time in the 
wilderness through good planning, realistic preparation, and wilderness 
safety training).


"Just remember, Be Careful out there!"

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <zeeke0943 at charter.net>
To: <Pct-L at backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 8:28 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Trail magic and the PCT culture


>
> Hi all.
> I have been meaning to do this for months. Having some of my hiking
> "family" finish and reach the monument recently reminded me that
> although you HYOH, it is a team sport of sorts.
> I am an older (Geezer really) section hiker who went to Campo this year
> to attend the kick Off and to do a couple sections. I truly got caught
> up in the culture/experience and had a very difficult time leaving the
> trail at Big Bear. I had the privilege of hiking solo and with some of
> the finest "characters" I have ever known. They will be family from here
> on.
>  As is all hikers trash's responsibility (and blessing), we wanted to
> give back, or at least acknowledge, some of the gifts of trail magic we
> received. There is no way to do this justice, for someone will get left
> out and I did not get to experience most of the magic offered. I hope
> others will fill in the blanks.
> First and foremost, we would like to thank those who put on Kick Off and
> those who fed us and those who supported us with critical (and possibly
> life saving) information on water, snow/ice travel and stream crossings
> in the sierras (epic year). Thanks Ned and Asabat, not only for the
> presentations, but for ongoing updates which were critical. Thanks to
> those like Yogi, Eric the Black, and Half-Mile for the guide books and
> maps. Thanks to those who took the time to post info on weather, snow
> depth, detours, pass conditions etc. Thanks to those who provided
> special rates and extra servings in town. Thanks to those who gave us
> rides, info and treats. A special thanks to those who provided water
> caches, coolers of goodies and treats. Those who have traveled this
> trail will never forget rounding the bend with head down, tired and
> thirsty and coming on the "magic". The cooler with cold ones or the
> bag/box of fruit or other treats. It fills your heart with gratitude.
> You never forget it. It like hiking all day from Fuller Ridge down the
> endless (!&#!!!) switchbacks and find the drinking fountain at Snowy
> Canyon. Thanks to the crew at the wind farm for the water, hospitality,
> covered shelter and the microwaved hamburgers. Thanks to the land owners
> who allow us passage and the agencies who maintain it. A special thanks
> to the trail crews who's Herculean feats provide the trial in some of
> the most difficult terrain  there is.
> Thank you to those who open up their homes/property to those passing
> through, you are angels, there is a heaven. Thanks to all those who post
> here and provide quality info for Newbees and veterans alike.
>
>  As you all know,when you hike the trail, you can't help but be changed
> forever. The formality of every day life is striped away, leaving your
> core and spirit. You deal with basic needs and learn that "you can".
> You see the world in a more basic way and appreciate the little things (
> which you find out are really important) and you appreciate those who
> share your journey. (Sorry, got carried away).
> Thanks for all the "trail magic", the giving to/from perfect strangers,
> the random acts of kindness that is really giving and receiving, both of
> which feel really good. If only that were a bigger part of our culture
> on a day to day basis.
> As I said, I cannot do this justice. I have left some special people
> out, but you know who you are. Bless you all, for you are truly "Angels"
> and you or you acts will live on in the hearts of many. You have stirred
> in us the desire to be "better", to give back, to pay it forward.  Thank
> You and Bless You.
>
> Wait 4 It
> (and all the rest of the hiker trash of 2011)
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