[pct-l] Introductions

[StoneDancer1 at aol.com (StoneDancer1@xxxxxxx)]

Hi All.  My name is Ray Echols, aka ( on occasion)  No Way ( it's a Zen pun). 
 I've been on the list since the winter before I started my 2001 PCT 
thruhike.  This group, as well as the Backpacking light people, got me through many a 
long winter night as I waited for April 2001.  

I've been climbing and hiking the Sierra since just after Mt. Whitney was 
heaved up out of the slime... somewhere around May 1958.  Since then, I have 
rarely missed a summer in the Sierra and have hiked most of the trails, climbed 
many of the peaks, crossed most of the cross country routes...and loved being 
there.  

In  April 2001, after a lifetime of drudgery ( work...well, it wasn't all 
that bad) and finally, a retirement, I started a thruhike of the PCT.  Even then, 
the Fates conspired against me and, in Mojave, I learned of a death in the 
family.  I didn't make it back that year.

In 2002, I hiked a bit here and there... the Cuillin on the Isle of Skye, 
Scotland, a bit on the PCT, etc.   Then, this year, started back on the PCT.  I 
went from Mojave to Truckee.  Next summer I am going from Tuolumne to Ashland.  
Then, one more year to finish.  It depresses me not to have made it in one 
push, though I may yet ...so, my advice to one and all is:  Hike the PCT when 
you can.  Make the sacrifices.  Put out the effort.  Endure the hardship.  Quit 
your job.  DO IT!!!

No Way
Ray E