[pct-l] Fwd: end of an era

[marmot marmot]

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Begin forwarded message:

From: marmot marmot <marmotwestvanc at hotmail.com>
Date: September 5, 2021 at 5:53:50 PM PDT
To: David Hough reading PCT-L <pctl at oakapple.net>, PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] end of an era


I guess the PCT will survive. It will exist for hikers to continue to attempt to hike to Canada. As we all know ,people used to fly,bus, take a train to San Diego catch the trolley then Bus to Campo and walk to border. It used to really bother me when there was a switch from people talking about where they were on the trail using place names—certain passes,water sources, lakes. I had to just let it be true that all they talked about was miles.  I got used to running into hikers who could not read a map and did not even carry one. Except of course on their phones,that as most hikers know,can easily break and often do. We used to know/learn how fast we could hike given the elevation gain and loss and therefore know how much water/food we needed to carry. Those skills may never be learned by most hikers out there these days. The sense of where we are in space is internal and can be tapped into. Awareness of the shape of the trail tread and the corresponding Mtns and valleys—how it all fits together tells your brain where you are especially if you can read a map and verify. I did start, when I was new to long distance hiking, carrying an extra meal in case I miscalculated. Sometimes I came into town a little hungry. Just recently I injured myself on a trail and hikers gave me extra food to make it to town because I was walking so slowly. But I checked out my maps (re -checked it with another hiker)and saw a short cut I could take to get to town faster. I was lucky that I got to stay on trail and not miss any of the route.
Just as most birds and animals know where they are, can place themselves in their surroundings, humans to a lesser extent (don’t know what we could actually capable of doing) can do the same. But not if they are looking constantly at their phones. It disconnects your brain from its inner navigational sense.This skill takes time and it is not easy. It can get a bit scary while you learn. Some people might not try. It’s difficult I admit.
I want as many people as possible to experience a long distance trail. I love that we all encourage new people to go on all the trails. But sometimes all the “help” disconnects people from what the trail offers. It’s as if they get rescued over and over as they head north and never learn what they can do. I know how seductive the town stops are. Sometimes all I can think about is a hot shower—more than food.
Frankly ,from both ends of the AT(my most recent hike ) northbound and southbound I got so tired of  hearing the endless  conversations about how much dope they were taking(of all kinds)and how many miles that meant they could mindlessly hike. It seemed to take about 200-500 miles for those people to disappear. I would hate to see the PCT turn into that mess. Maybe it already has. The last time I was on the PCT was 2015. Could be that is is unalterably changed. Maybe It’s just rushing from town to town, trail angel to trail angel and not “living” on the trail which was always ,for me,the best feeling.
What is wrong with allowing yourself to learn what is possible?
Marmot



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Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 5, 2021, at 2:31 PM, David Hough reading PCT-L <pctl at oakapple.net> wrote:


https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/pacific-crest-trail-angels-retiring/

Another scarce resource exploited until exhausted.

Still, the PCT in a drought year without water caches is a pretty big
challenge.    Without free food, lodging, and laundry, not so much.

Of course, if more hikers were willing to pay for personal services, there
might be more personal services available.

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