[pct-l] Front Runners

[CMountainDave at aol.com (CMountainDave@xxxxxxx)]

In a message dated 10/15/03 9:25:37 AM, chwillet@indiana.edu writes:

<< You might think this, but you would be wrong.  Just as wrong as thinking
that those in the rear are somehow having a better time than those up
front.
 >>

You mean there really aren't any hikers out their whose competitive thoughts 
aren't focused on finishing first? Now thinking that would be wrong. You can 
think anything you wish - right or wrong - about whether competitiveness is 
right or wrong on a long distance hike, but there ARE people out their trying to 
be numero uno. So hike your own hike. MINE doesn't include competitiveness 
against others but then again I am not in my twenties so perhaps age has given me 
a different perspective-- right or wrong-- as to the reasons I hike. We all 
have our likes and dislikes. I will not climb, for example, with people who 
insist on being to the summit first, who feel the need to somehow best me. I try 
to leave all that back at the rat race track. Competitiveness is something 
that is very difficult to just let go of, especially for younger males, because 
in all of nature, young males compete. I like testing and learning my own 
limits without comparison to others and it feels very liberating
  And maybe somebody in the rear IS having a grand old time of it. I can't 
rule it out