[pct-l] How the PCT differs from the PCT-L

[whitethunder10 at hotmail.com (Joseph Niemiec)]

I think you get this feeling from the PCT-L because we are all pissed off 
that we aren't on the trail.  Ah, it was wonderful eh?



>From: Chuckie V <rubberchuckie@yahoo.com>
>To: PCT-List <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
>Subject: [pct-l] How the PCT differs from the PCT-L
>Date: Thu, 23 Dec 2004 10:54:36 -0800 (PST)
>
>  >>>>Some dogs, like Hurricane Helen's (Lights Out Larry's 
spouse), do absolutely fantastically and have great enthusiasm and 
athleticism for the hike. That dog was in fabulous condition and I still 
remember how excited the dog was to get back on the trail again -- its whole 
body was wagging! It was so happy to be on trail, it could have pulled 
someone to Canada!   -=Donna Saufley=-
>
>
>
>I'm willing to bet it was a Border Collie. Not only are they stronger 
than any hiker here, they're a bit smarter and less opinionated too. This 
leads me to my next thought:
>
>On this list, there are lots of different opinions and by many different 
people of diverse backgrounds. It is a great place to share experiences and 
to learn from others, which I hope is the mission of this board. That said, 
it is also a very negative place in far too many respects (as this letter 
may sound to some). The "I'm right, you're wrong" view is 
omnipresent here; (dogs vs. no dogs; bear canisters vs. no canisters; 
ultralight vs. more comfort; today's hikers vs. "back in our day", 
etc). It's ironic how different it is out there on the trail, where nearly 
everyone is upbeat and positive---and open minded, no matter what 'humble' 
convictions they may have, or what choices they make en route. I am a 
liberal, left wing, tree-hugging hippy purist at heart and yet one of the 
people I became closest to on the PCT was a fellow named Load, who makes our 
president (for those of us in the US) look like a southpaw compared to me. 
Did it matter to us out there? No. We enjoyed each
>   other's
>  droll, talking in depth, understanding one another's stances, and 
hearing why we each felt the way we did about our beliefs. We didn't argue 
until we were blue in the face and then repeat the same arguments over and 
over. (Though we did hike until we were blue in the face, and for whatever 
reason, repeated it over and over).
>
>I guess all I'm really trying to say is we should all strive to keep 
more of an open mind here as we likely would on the trail...so, to next 
year's crop and those beyond: Go live your dream. Start when you want 
(February is NOT too early if you go slow enough and June ISN'T too late if 
you're quick enough), bring your dog (Disclaimer: except where the law 
prohibits it...but even then, one must first know the rules in order to 
break them and it's not a law to know the law), forget your bear canister 
(Disclaimer: except where the law 'requires' it...), go for a speed record 
or go for a slow record, and keep an open mind---and in shape. The knowledge 
you'll gain is greater than anything here in this forum because here's the 
thing: Wisdom isn't received, you must discover it for yourself, after a 
journey no-one else can take but you. Unlike this list, on the PCT, things 
aren't always just black and white; in fact, they're every color conceivable 
and they are all beautiful. Go see
>   for
>  yourselves.
>
>My next big hike is for my buddy Stevie, who never took the chance---and 
therefore, never got the chance---to do his thru-hike. I'll be spreading 
some of his ashes en route.
>
>A piece of my mind and peace of mind to all,
>Chuckie
>
>
>Merry X-mas!
>
>
>
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>
>
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