[pct-l] AT and PCT

["Tony Eyl" <livinglite@hotmail.com>]

Granted, I have not thru-hiked the PCT, but have done the AT twice and lots 
of other wilderness travel.
It is true that roughly 25%  who start the AT finish.
I am sure the PCT has it's own set of trials and tribulations, but either 
way, it has always seemed to me that being on a long trek is determined by 
the person's attitude.  The people who do not make it to Katahdin on the 
A.T. do so b/c they simply had other priorities- either due to lack of 
motivation and determination to walk ALL those miles day after  day, family 
issues, money issues, etc.  The people I know who made it to Katahdin did so 
b/c they put their mind to it.  I would maintain that finishing or not is 
determined not so much by the physical difficulty, but rather, it is 
determined by desire and motivation. Using the destination as motivation to 
walk is not really all that motivating- it takes loving the lifestyle and 
appreciating the immensity of creation- the Silent Awe of Divinity- the Love 
heard in the Birdsong.  But hey, that is just my perspective.
I have respect for anyone who can walk THAT far and still enjoy it and love 
the life they have been given.  Whether you do the PCT CDT or AT, it is the 
joy in the freedom of living and creation that ties them all together.  How 
can we say that one part of creation is "better" than the other?  Without 
the sum of the parts, the body cannot function and they unite to form 
something invigorating to the soul.
Hark- I verge on "waxing philosophical"! I guess I could talk more about it 
if I get to do the PCT next year....!

-Israel

P.S. As far as Bill Erwin hiking the AT and being blind- I really think had 
you hiked the AT you would be mystified that such a task was completed.  It 
is truly a miracle.  And as far storms go- I can tell you about the 
hair-raising lightening storms down south, and the times I have traversed 
and worked above treeline in NH- like the day I spent walking all day above 
treeline in 30 degree weather, driving rain, and 80 mph steady winds and 
gusts over 100 mph (THAT was one of my funnest, hardest, terrifying, 
peaceful days walking ever!).  The AT does have some weather to be reckoned 
with, but then it should, creation is powerful everywhere.  :)  No doubt 
though, the AT offers a lot of peaceful rainy days too- a perfect time to 
walk and smile and contemplate!
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