[pct-l] Most Common Causes of Thru-Dropout

[Austin Williams]

I'd like to add: take zero days even if you don't think you need them.  I
did 1600 miles with only 3 zero days and (though I didn't realize it at the
time) that really, really affected my attitude and spirit in a negative
way.  I was literally overworked and didn't know it.  Looking back I can see
the signs, but at the time I was blind to them.

If yer feeling aggro and irritable and like yer not having fun... that's a
sure sign that you need a zero day or two.
I also agree with the previous poster that hiking (especially solo) can be a
very emotional experience.  I remember crying a few times on the trail.  The
first time was when I injured my ankle.  I didn't cry because of the pain...
I cried (sobbed like a little baby) because I thought it meant my trip was
going to be over.  That all that planning and dreaming, and preparing, and
anticipation was all for naught.  That was a very hard day.  (I spent half a
day with my ankle soaking in a cold creek before finally hobbling on.  It
actually healed rather quickly.)

The loneliness of a solo hike hit me at the strangest time.  I actual didn't
*feel* alone *most* of the time.  I am a very independent person and usually
prefer to be by myself than around others.  It wasn't until I either (a)
had a near death experience, or (b) was taking in a breathtaking view, that
I felt alone.  During the near death experiences (almost sliding off a cliff
(x6), sliding downhill towards a freezing lake, having half my body fall
into a crevasse, falling down a waterfall when lost several miles off trail,
yada yada yada) I became instantly and vividly aware that I was alone, and
that only I could save myself.  (A very sobering thought).  Looking back,
these were some of my favorite moments.  I wouldn't want to repeat *any* of
them, but they really let me "test my metal".

But it was when I had all that beauty and wonder and magic all around me --
as far as the eye can see and as deep as the heart can feel -- that's when I
really felt the most alone.  I was so sad that I had no one present to share
it with (a rare feeling for me).  Pictures do no justice.  I would have
given anything to share those moments with my wife, or friends, or
siblings.... anyone.  It's a very strange feeling being in awe of the beauty
and wonder that our wilderness inspires -- feeling as though you are right
in the middle of the most perfect place in the most perfect time that has
ever existed-- and at the same time feeling like you are the only person
that is left on the planet.  Entirely alone.  Those moments are mine, and
I'll never forget them.  But it would have been nice to share a few of them
with loved ones.

yeah, I cried...  like a little baby...

where was I going with this?  Oh, right.  Why people leave the trail....  I
think sometimes one's emotions can weigh more than their gear.

Yet another reason: sometimes people get "their fill" of whatever it is they
are looking for (adventure, solitude, distance from modern society,
exercise, the wilderness experience, bragging rights, simplicity, etc)
before they reach their original destination.  I hiked from Canada to
Kennedy Meadows, and I took one look at the last leg of the SoBo hike (the
desert) and thought "nah...".  I was uninspired (the desert in September is
not nearly as awesome as it is in April, let me tell you....).

Just remember, it's easy to get so blinded by the goal that you forget why
you set it.  If you do some soul searching you'll probably find that real
purpose of the thru hike isn't simply to get from Mexico to Canada (if
that's all it was you'd just take a bus, right?).  I like to think of the
thru hike as a *means* rather than an *end*.  Our origin is our present
self.  Our destination is our future, stronger, wiser, more courageous and
confident self.  The PCT is the path from origin to destination.

Hakuna Matata,

Austin Williams

www.PlanYourHike.com <http://www.planyourhike.com/>
Info on PCT Gear, Resupply Points, Maps, Thru hiking Movies, etc.



On Tue, Sep 27, 2011 at 11:02 AM, Jeff Judd <frotiss_lupus at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I just want to give a gargantuan thank you to everyone who responded to
> this inquiry both on and off list.  You've all given me a wealth of
> different angles from which to consider this undertaking.  Your personal
> experiences will be very helpful in examining my psyche on trail I think.
> It all comes down to the individual it seems like.  By which I mean both
> individual fitness and proneness to injury, and the mindset one has both
> going into it and on trail.  All we can ever do is plan and prepare to the
> fullest extent possible, then understand that the best laid schemes of mice
> and men oft go awry.
>
> With that being said I think my wife and I definitely need to get some
> additional experience on snow travel and stream crossings.  We don't get the
> chance to practice that much here in San Diego.  Also, whoever it was that
> gave me the advice to train as much as possible on long, uneven terrain to
> help my joints and ligaments become more resistant to repetitive motion
> injuries, that was a gem.
>
> Much love,
>
> Jeff
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